The Hard Truth About Soft Skills: Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They'd Learned Sooner

205 Pages·2008·0.51 MB·English

by  Peggy Klaus

THE
HARD TRUTH
ABOUT
SOFT SKILLS
Workplace Lessons Smart People
Wish They’d Learned Sooner
PEGGY KLAUS
with JANE ROHMAN and MOLLY HAMAKER
To my clients,
whose enthusiasm for self-improvement
provides a constant source of inspiration.
CONTENTS
Introduction THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT SOFT SKILLS 1
One CONTROL YOURSELF 7
Knowing yourself is as important as knowing
how to do the job.
There’s no such thing as work-life balance,
only trade-offs.
Years of loyalty can work against you.
Listen to your gut—it’s full of data.
No risks, no rewards.
Get out of your own way.
Learn the honest truth about integrity.
You have to be good to be lucky.
Two GETTING THE JOB DONE 31
Your boss wants you to figure it out.
Learn when to stick and when to shift or the
details will hang you.
When you can’t deliver, don’t say yes . . . but
be careful how you say no.
iv Contents
Your procrastination is trying to tell you
something.
Whining is for kids . . . and even then, no one
wants to hear it.
Manage your meetings . . . or else.
Common sense is far too uncommon.
Three WHE N YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH . . .
AND THEN SOME 51
Listening is part art, part science, and all
important.
Adjust your communication accordingly.
Say the magic words: please, thank you, and I’m
sorry.
Keep your mouth shut.
Get smart about asking dumb questions.
Learn how to present without needing beta-
blockers.
Four HANDLING YOUR CRITICS 69
Books are judged by their covers and the same
is true for you.
Don’t be the last one to find out how you’re
doing.
Never tolerate a bully boss—even if you have
to quit.
Contents v
You don’t need to be everyone’s best friend—
that’s what dogs are for.
Your greatest tormentor might prove to be
your greatest teacher.
Know where to draw the line between self-
improvement and self-destruction.
Stay cool in the hot seat.
Five WHAT, ME POLITICAL? 91
Learn the unspoken rules of your workplace.
Two heads are better than one, so find a
mentor.
Don’t let the fear of “sucking up” hold you
back.
When it comes to gossip, learn the art of
deflection.
Think long and hard about going over your
boss’s head.
Manage your affairs: kiss with caution!
Six BRANDING AND BRAGGING 109
Think of yourself as a cereal brand.
Turn your accomplishments into a story.
Tooting your own horn isn’t just for
performance reviews.
vi Contents
You’re only as good as your last movie, so keep
your brags fresh.
Put the right words in their mouths.
Keep your visibility when you’re not face-to-
face.
Stop credit thieves in their tracks.
Seven HOT BUTTONS:
GENDER, GENERATION, AND CULTURE 131
Don’t take it personally.
Raise your sensitivity antenna.
Competition is a double-edged sword.
Find the silver lining.
Stop stereotypes from sinking you.
Eight LEAD ING THE TROOPS 151
Know what you’re getting into.
A good manager knows when to lead.
Avoid being a know-it-all, say-it-all, control-
it-all kind of boss.
People aren’t mind readers.
You’re the boss, stupid, that’s why they hang
on your every word.
Treat everyone equally.
Contents vii
The impostor syndrome will follow you up
the ladder.
A little humility takes you a long way.
Afterword DON’T SKIP YOUR SOFT SKILLS 175
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 181
INDEX 183
About the Author
Other Books by Peggy Klaus
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