While schools lay the foundation for essential academic skills, the true essence of learning flourishes beyond the walls of a classroom. Cultivating soft skills not only enriches personal growth but also prepares you for the diverse challenges in the modern workforce.

A LinkedIn survey shows that 92% of hiring managers believe strong skills are becoming increasingly important, while 89% say “bad hires” often have poor soft skills.

So if you’re thinking of developing some skills that you can do outside school, here are 4 top skills you can work on:

Being Proactive

Learning to be proactive embodies initiative, foresight, and the ability to anticipate and address challenges before they escalate. Proactive individuals can be seen as leaders and problem-solvers; they take charge, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement solutions.

So, how can you become proactive? First, you have to set clear goals, both short and long-term ones. Having a clear vision will help you stay focused and motivated. You also have to plan ahead and prioritize urgent and important tasks. Be on the lookout for ways to improve processes, contribute beyond your responsibilities, and practice critical thinking and problem-solving.

Being proactive demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and resilience, which enables you to take control of your actions and outcomes. Hopefully, this will lead to greater success and fulfillment, not only in your personal development but also in your career.

Presentation Skills

The ability to deliver information in a clear, engaging, and persuasive manner is important in any job. An effective presentation can captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression and impact on its listeners.

70% of people surveyed say presentations are critical to their success at work. It could be in the form of a business proposal, speaking at a conference, or leading a team meeting. To develop your presentation skills, here are some things to keep in mind. One, practice regularly, as this will make you more comfortable in the long run. Next, always tailor your content and delivery to the needs and interests of your audience; having a good outline or structure for your presentation also helps.

Of course, watching experienced speakers and presenters can also give you ideas on which techniques to incorporate into your talk, but joining public speaking groups can also help you practice and receive constructive feedback on your presentation skills.

Quick Math

Performing math calculations swiftly and accurately in your head without the use of a calculator or pen and paper can significantly enhance your efficiency and decision-making in both personal and professional contexts.

This kind of proficiency can also boost your confidence in dealing with numbers in presentations, negotiations, and everyday interactions. It also minimizes the risk of errors due to misinput or misunderstanding of calculator functions.

Dedicating a few minutes each day to solving math problems without the use of a calculator can significantly increase your speed and accuracy in doing quick math. Familiarizing yourself with some mental math techniques could also be useful, like multiplication shortcuts, addition and subtraction tricks, and estimation.

Leadership

Developing leadership skills can unlock more opportunities for you to advance in your career. It enables you to guide, motivate, and manage your team effectively to achieve success. Some aspects of becoming a better leader involve strengthened communication, decision-making, delegation, and conflict-resolution abilities.

Around 13% of company employees are at the manager level, so there is an opportunity to be part of it if you are able to demonstrate strong leadership skills to increase your reputation for such opportunities.

Other ways to fast-track this career jump can be through mentorship from company leaders to help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Volunteering for leadership roles in projects and attending leadership workshops and seminars can also help you gain practical experience.

Indeed, technical skills are important in helping you land a good job, but investing in these soft skills will equip you to navigate and excel in the complexities and challenges you might encounter in the workplace. These skills, so long as you practice and develop them, can empower you to adapt, innovate, and thrive in the ever-evolving work environment.