By 2020, more than half a million workers will be held back by a lack of soft skills. 

Development Economics 2015

While these skills are essential to workplace success, as well as personal wellbeing, their value extends even further. 

Soft skills are the secret to self-empowerment and equality

If we truly want an education system that develops the individual,

That encourages questioning, reflection, and a curious mind,

That creates a lust for lifelong learning,

And that brings about social mobility and equality,

Then soft skills must be prioritised. 

Soft skills open our eyes to reality…

They give us the strength to change things for the better…

And they provide us with the resilience that making change demands. 

There is evidence that this new kind of education would have dramatic benefits,

Not only for the young people concerned, but also for society as a whole. 

Graham Allen’s report, Early Intervention: The Next Steps, detailed “the immense penalties to society and to the individual of failing to provide a strong foundation of social and emotional capabilities early in life.” 

There is also a great deal of evidence that girls in particular will benefit from soft skills development. 

I adore silence.  Probably like many musicians. 

Are you one of those people who have left a regular job and set out on your own? 

Or would you like to be? 

Would you like to be a freelancer? 

Would you like to be free? 

Ah yes, the ‘free’ in freelancer is a big clue to the appeal of this way of living. 

The ability to shape your own life and determine your own destiny is a huge pull for many who feel they’re living life in a straight jacket of someone else’s design. 

But making the leap into freedom is a huge decision. 

However, if freedom is calling, you need to listen, or you’ll always regret it. 

One of my coaching clients who’s recently made this transition is ‘struggling’ a bit.  Every time I ask him how he’s doing he tells me he’s worried because, “I’m not used to feeling so happy.  I feel guilty!” :) 

He’s moved from a very stressful working situation into one that gives him the freedom to pursue a different way of being, one that’s more aligned with who he is and what he wants from life, and one that makes him wake up looking forward to the day ahead.  He’s loving the process of discovery. 

Still, making this move isn’t all roses, otherwise everyone would do it. 

The effect of a soft skills deficit is going to have a big impact on us all before long, and this will be of particular concern to parents.  Latest warnings indicate that UK children are losing out to those in Asia, in terms of getting a grip on the essential soft skills needed today.  Unfortunately our education system is seriously stuck in the past…Continue reading »

Recently I’ve been writing a series on Happiness.  I’ve had some inspiring feedback and thought-provoking insights from readers.  So I wanted to pause Happiness – the series that is – and pick up on some of these observations. 

Christmas is a time when happiness comes centre stage, and we’re all meant to be in the festive spirit, with plenty of ho ho ho.  But for many people Christmas is tricky, bringing up difficult memories, highlighting problems, or causing a sense of isolation. Continue reading »

But are you worried about whether you’ve been prepared with the best skills for today’s world? 

I’d be interested to know your thoughts on this…

Education is still relentlessly focused on preparing young people to pass exams.  But the research seems clear; this approach ignores the skills that employers are now looking for, the skills that allow young people to effectively navigate rapid, constant change, the skills that encourage imagination, creativity, and innovation, and the skills that will develop an individual’s wellbeing and success. 

Not long ago I had the pleasure of speaking to a large group of business women, all of whom were in leadership roles.  In my talk I invited the audience to come with me to a jazz gig, and to imagine the scene as we entered the club and wove our way through the crowd to get to our table. 

I asked them to see the jazz quartet up on the small stage – pianist, bassist, drummer and saxophonist – playing sweet, swinging music. 

I talked about how the musicians reach peak performance because of soft skills such as communication, trust and teamwork. 

And as I described the process of improvisation I suggested that the audience close their eyes…Continue reading »

So at what point does Principle 1 become unprincipled? 

We make ourselves powerless when we choose not to know.  But we give ourselves hope when we insist on looking. 

It might be easier and safer to keep quiet, to keep your head down, to not mention – or choose not to see – when things are awry.  We may be more likeable if we keep smiling, are always friendly and chirpy, never question anything. 

But when does that easier, safer, likeable point shift? 

And when does our silence make up complicit? 

If we know International Aid is being syphoned off by corrupt officials, shouldn’t we criticise this?  If we see abuse happening next door shouldn’t we condemn it.  If we believe inflated bonuses are being paid to a boss who has caused immense damage, shouldn’t we complain about it? 

If you want to change things – if you want to break barriers – you surely can’t do it without criticising, condemning or complaining. 

But if you want to win friends, then Dale Carnegie is probably right, and it’s best to follow Principle 1. 

It’s a matter of choice and of principles. 

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