byadminBehavioral Pattern, Learning & Development, Training

Behavioural Skills – A stepping Stone for Success

“You have already written a blog on soft skills, so why are you writing on the same topic again”? asked my nephew in a puzzled tone when I keyed in the title of this blog. “Look closely, the title says behavioural skills and not soft skills,”, I clarified. “Soft skills or behavioural skills? Aren’t they one and the same, so why bother to call it by different names?”, he retorted. Soon, I realized that this misperception was shared by many of my friends and colleagues. I don’t claim to be an authority on either of the two subjects but I know for sure that people should know the difference between them. This blog is an attempt to do so and also understand the importance of behavioural skills.  

Soft skills as mentioned in my previous blog is the “abilities required in the workplace for professional success” (Georges, 1996). The abilities are essentially skills like good communication, networking abilities, compassion etc. These habits or skills have become a pre requisite in the dynamic environment that we work in today. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that I am undermining the importance of behavioural skills. Well, that brings us back to the question of what exactly is behavioural skills? The most popular definition goes like this – Behavioural skills are the skills you use to successfully interact with others in the workplace. They are competencies employees need to be successful in a job and/or in an organization.  

A behavioural skills specialist has claimed that employees need to have specific skills that enable them to face the demands of modern working life. It’s these skills which will ultimately turn an average performer into an excellent performer. Liggy Webb, founding director of The Learning Architect, a consortium for behavioural skills specialists, has identified 20 key skills that workers must have to be effective. It forms part of a wider portfolio designed to support the 21st century workforce. Based on research using the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) model and her work with The Learning Architect, the skills list outlines work that employers need to address in order to create a happy and successful firm. This includes: 

  • Change ability
  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Creativity 
  • Decision making
  • Empathy
  • Feedback
  • Goal setting
  • Healthy living
  • Life balance
  • Impact and influencing
  • Positive thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Relationship building
  • Relaxation 
  • Self-confidence
  • Stress management
  • Time management
  • Value and purpose

Just like soft skills, behaviour skills can be taught through a structured training programme. Dr. Miltenberger defines Behaviour Skills Training as “a procedure consisting of instruction, modelling, behavioural rehearsal, and feedback that is used to teach new behaviours or skills”. It’s a simple teaching program that can be modified as per the individual’s requirement or circumstances.  According to the aforementioned definition, the 4 step module include: 

Instruction – To imbibe a particular skill, it’s necessary to understand the meaning. Explain the skill in such a way that the trainee understands it’s significance and validation. It’s important that the trainer elucidate the circumstances under which he/she can use this skill and also clarify when not to use it.  

Modelling – Practical knowledge at times is more comprehensible than theory. This step will involve the trainer enacting or performing the skill.  

Rehearsal – Practice makes a man perfect. This old adage holds good in acquiring a behavioural skill. By practising a particular skill, the trainer will be able to identify correct/incorrect response.  

Feedback –  It’s necessary that that the trainer gives remedial feedback for incorrect response and likewise should not hesitate in showering praises for correct response.   

Real situations in professional and personal life can not only sharpen your behavioural skills but will ensure lifelong success. It’s never too late to learn a skill but do not get into the habit of procrastination! 

Share this:
byadminLearning & Development, Training

Five Emerging Trends in Soft Skills Training

“I have a Masters Degree in addition to a post graduate diploma in computer application but I am unable to gain professional success”, my friend’s son bemoaned.  “These are hard skills which is probably easy to gain but do you have the requisite soft skills to make it big?”, I asked. His blank expression was an answer in itself. Soft skills can be thought of as the “abilities required in the workplace for professional success” (Georges, 1996). Good communication, networking abilities, compassion, team building and other essential personal skills and social capabilities are considered as soft skills which is necessary to complement hard skills such as education and work experience.   

To put it lucidly, soft skills is something you can start working on right now irrespective of whether you are a student, employee or a leader. Several fortune 500 companies across the globe have recognized the importance of soft skills training in achieving optimum productivity and profitability. Let’s look at 5 emerging trends in soft skills training:-  

  1. Soft skills will be valued higher than hard skills – The top management expect their teams to communicate effectively, collaborate effectually and work productively. Mere technical qualification may not help in achieving this.  According to Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of futurethink, an internationally recognised innovation research and training company in the United States “soft skills such as listening, creativity, agility and problem-solving, are becoming as important as expertise and technical competency.” It’s the application of soft skills that distinguishes an average performer from a great performer. Today, soft skills are just as important as hard skills, if not more. In Singapore, a survey found employers are hiring candidates based on soft skills, rather than academic results. 
  2. Short and interactive session is the way to go – A week long training session is a big no-no for the millennials. If you want to motivate the Gen Y, then your soft skills training programs should be a half a day or a day long one and don’t forget to interlude it with a feedback session.  Though the young employees expect immediate results from such a program, experts believe that habits can take some time to change. After all, soft skills are habits as well as skills. It’s the real situations in their professional and personal lives which will enable individuals to develop and hone soft skills. 
  3. Investing in soft skills training will yield great results – A study conducted by Development Dimensions International found that for every $1,100 invested in soft skills training, employers earned an average return of $4,000.  Employee miscommunications cost businesses US $37 billion every year in the US and UK. Little wonder then that Singapore government is urging students to develop soft skills, particularly abilities to work cross culturally and in teams. For an organization’s bright future, it’s prudent to invest in soft skills training instead of merely focusing on technical skills.  In India, the realization has already set in that lack of soft skills can bring down the bottom line. In the future, we are more likely to see companies investing a substantial amount on soft skills training. 
  4. Growing need for ‘certified’ soft skill trainers– It’s not just working professionals, but school children and college students too are comprehending the importance of soft skills. There is a growing need for certified soft skill trainers who as Atkinson says have to deliver fun and action-oriented trainings.  “Millennials are the fastest growing generation in the workplace and organizations that implement an engaging training program aligned with both business and personal goals of Gen Y will receive incredibly high return on investment”, Atkinson says. 
  5. Instructor led online training will become popular– With the growing popularity of online virtual classrooms, conventional training(read classroom based) or webinars may cease to exist. The uniqueness of virtual classrooms lies in its flexibility, cost effectiveness and scalability. App based or mobile training is also a much sought after option which will top the popularity charts in the coming months.  

 To conclude, a single learning session or a training environment is not sufficient enough to absorb soft skills. Guided and repeated skill practice in real situations will help people achieve the desired results in their professional, social and personal lives.  

Share this:
×

Please Fill the Details below will share the required document to your email.