10 Soft Skills to Catapult your Career


The most important skills to develop in the future are soft skills. These will be more in demand than just technical skills. Technical skills get you in the game, but beyond that, it is the soft skills that get you moving further in your career.

I recently listened to an interview with Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft AI, at the Aspen Ideas Festival. He made a strong case that going forward, just having technical skills—with so many tools readily available—will not be sufficient. We all have to be well-rounded and become generalists to truly thrive. We must be good at multiple skills, and the ability to pivot with the times is the key to success in today’s marketplace.

This Inc. article on the 10 Soft Skills http://www.inc.com/jt-odonnell/why-these-10-soft-skills-could-catapult-your-career.html?cid=nl029Aweek44day31 identifies the top skills as per a LinkedIn survey of hiring managers. Here is my take on these 10 soft skills—and how to personalize them to win in the workplace and beyond.

1. Communication

This is the most important skill across any era. Your ability to put your thoughts across clearly will establish you as a key decision-maker and make you visible in the organization. Develop your public speaking skills. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing—this is a core success skill in the modern marketplace. If you can combine storytelling with confident delivery, it can catapult your career to greater levels.

In a world where attention is scarce, your ability to communicate clearly can be your biggest competitive advantage. Whether you’re speaking to a client, leading a meeting, or sending an email, clarity wins. Listening deeply is just as important—understand others’ perspectives and speak with empathy. Communication is not just about what you say, but how well you understand and connect with others.

2. Organization

I take this to mean your ability to manage the multiple demands of your work. There’s no way around it—how well you prioritize your work will determine your growth. Identify your key result areas, align with your manager, focus on the top tasks, and report progress regularly. Being personally organized is a foundational skill for professional success.

Organization is also about managing your attention and energy. Use tools like time-blocking and digital planners, but more importantly, build consistent routines—morning planning, end-of-day reviews, and weekly check-ins. A personal productivity system is your launchpad to high performance.

3. Team Player

All meaningful work today is done in teams. You cannot afford to be ego-driven. Your ability to collaborate will place you on the cutting edge of leadership. Be agreeable, approachable, and a pleasant person to work with. Share credit generously and your impact will multiply.

Being a great teammate also means managing conflict maturely, mentoring others, and maintaining a “we before me” mindset. Long-term leadership is built on trust, and the best professionals are those others want to work with again.

4. Always Punctual

Punctuality reflects your commitment and respect for others’ time. Bosses, clients, and colleagues all notice those who show up on time. Be punctual to every meeting—and if you’re running late, be transparent and inform the team. Consistency in punctuality builds credibility.

Beyond just meetings, punctuality includes deadlines, deliverables, and dependability. Let punctuality become a signature trait that sets you apart as someone who can always be counted on.

5. Critical Thinking

Thinking is the hardest discipline, and that’s why few engage deeply with it. Make time for deliberate thinking. Reflect on key decisions. Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow reminds us to slow down our thought process for better outcomes. Spend time in solitude, write your thoughts, and allow 48–72 hours before making big decisions.

Also sharpen your ability to assess information critically. Question assumptions, challenge biases, and seek clarity amid complexity. Critical thinkers are not just problem solvers—they’re solution shapers.

6. Social Skills

Empathy is the cornerstone of social intelligence—and success. You must be able to get along with people of all types. Many careers derail due to poor social skills, not lack of technical knowledge. Even if personalities clash, a professional is expected to work well with everyone.

Social skills extend to diplomacy, emotional regulation, and adaptability. Cultivate the ability to read the room, manage tension, and create harmony. The higher you rise, the more social skills matter.

7. Creativity

Creativity is your birthright. We all have untapped potential that can shine through with creativity. Carry a notebook to jot down ideas. Be a keen observer. Challenge existing methods and speak up with better ways. Creativity thrives in problem-solving—so dedicate time to thinking differently.

Fuel your creativity with diverse inputs: read broadly, talk to people from different fields, and allow space for daydreaming. Innovation is not a one-off spark—it’s the result of constant idea generation and experimentation.

8. Interpersonal Communication

Strong interpersonal communication is at the heart of leadership. Be approachable and well-read. Smile. Tune into others’ interests when you speak. Praise often. Say please and thank you—it goes a long way in building rapport.

Build your emotional intelligence. Pay attention to tone, body language, and the unspoken. Mastering interpersonal moments—especially the tough conversations—is a key driver of trust and influence.

9. Adaptability

Change is the only constant. Stay flexible and willing to adjust as new information emerges. Drop the “Not Invented Here” mindset. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Study your industry trends and remain curious.

Adaptability also means reskilling, learning new tools, and experimenting with new approaches. People who stay adaptable thrive during disruption—they’re not just survivors, but innovators.

10. Friendly Personality

A pleasant personality goes a long way. Smile, make eye contact, be magnanimous, don’t brag, and follow the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. Friendliness creates trust and loyalty.

Remember: being friendly doesn’t mean being a pushover—it means being approachable, encouraging, and emotionally intelligent. Kindness builds influence far more powerfully than authority.

There you have it—the 10 soft skills in demand. Develop these traits and you will not just survive—you’ll thrive in the future marketplace.

The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.


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