Nowadays we hear quite a lot about soft skills in companies, their importance and their development for all jobs in the present and for the professions that will originate in the future. Even here, you will find an article about it.
In general, we know that technical skills are easier to quantify and develop. If we carry out technical or university studies, in the time contemplated, we would be able to develop these skills to put them into practice and perfect them.
Unlike technical skills, soft skills can be developed through life experiences and hobbies. Of course, nowadays there are scientifically backed strategies and techniques to develop them.
Those activities in which people invest time and money during their free time, which generate pleasure, fun and relaxation, and which sometimes have no relation to their profession or trade, have a great impact on personal and professional development.
It is through hobbies or pastimes, as a recruiter in the first interview with the candidate, can learn about the competencies that person possesses or the potential in development. If that person talks about their love for running, how often they do it and their medium-term goals, such as running a marathon, without a doubt, that person possesses discipline, planning and strategy, time organization, goal achievement and perseverance.
If a person tells us that he/she likes to read, watch TV series, spend time at home, the skills that predominate could be critical thinking and attention to detail; and have a diminished capacity for teamwork.
If, on the other hand, someone loves to travel, converse with people, collect handcrafted souvenirs, the skills that stand out are those of communication, adaptability and creativity.
So if you only focus on what you do during your day and not what you spend your free time doing, you may develop more of your hard (technical) skills and a little of your soft skills with day-to-day interactions, such as meetings where you will need to apply effective listening and communication. But if you manage your hobbies well, you will develop the soft skills to the maximum.
For example, if you need to develop concentration or focus, how about starting some chess classes, which will also help develop planning and strategic vision.
If your goal is to be a leader, you could try rafting, sit at the front of the raft and apply effective listening to the messages given by the paddling guide.
Better yet, if it's something you've always wanted, figure out how to execute it; and if it scares you, figure out how to overcome it. You'll work on planning and execution, as well as defining objectives and goals, overcoming and probably developing other skills along the way.
You can also read this article in the blog of our psychologist Rosa, where you can also find more topics of your interest: https://psicorosafonseca.com/blog-1/
