Why are ‘Soft Skills’ so hard? | by Madison Pollard

Soft skills, or durable skills as they’re called at Multiverse. I’m sure you’ve heard of them, after all, we are constantly reminded of how important they are! But, what are they exactly, and why are they so useful?

As an apprentice in a digital field, you are likely devoting much of your time and energy to building technical competencies. Learning to code, design user experiences, analyse data, and leverage digital tools is undoubtedly crucial. But, it is just as important to cultivate the soft skills that will allow you to apply that technical knowledge effectively in a professional setting. What are some that are likely to be useful? Let's take a look at 4, and how you can develop them.

1. Communication abilities are so important for any successful career. As a digital apprentice, you must be able to clearly articulate ideas, ask insightful questions, and thoroughly comprehend instructions from colleagues and managers. Practising active listening, drafting clear emails, and refining your verbal communication will make your life—and your colleagues'—way easier. Poor communication leads to mistakes, delays, and a whole lot of headaches. I’ve been in so many meetings where I thought my Project Manager and I didn’t see eye to eye - turns out we just weren’t clearly communicating what we needed! I always ask ‘does anyone have any questions?’ at the end of my presentations now, so that I can clear up any misunderstandings.
    
2. Strong problem-solving capabilities are also essential, particularly in rapidly evolving digital fields. Hiccups and curve balls are inevitable in any job. A great problem-solver stays cool under pressure, thinks outside the box, and finds smart solutions. Don't just slap a band-aid on issues; dive in, analyse the root cause, and prevent those problems from resurfacing. Have you ever heard someone say ‘it’s fine, we’ve got a workaround for that’? That’s your opportunity to dig deeper, get stuck in, and really solve the problem!
    
3. Teamwork and collaboration are woven into the fabric of digital projects and workflows. You will frequently work cross-functionally across departments like marketing, IT, and operations. Being a helpful and supportive team member who contributes, offers support to others, maintains a positive attitude, and stays solutions-oriented will make you exactly the sort of teammate people are looking for. You know what you’re good at, right? Look to surround yourself with people who are good at the things you don’t like, or struggle with. Collaboration can create brilliant new ideas, when you all bring your best insights to the table.
    
4. Finally, upholding professionalism through punctuality, accountability, ethical conduct, and a dedicated work ethic is crucial for establishing credibility and respect. Digital opportunities are highly sought-after, so setting yourself up as a consummate professional from day one allows you to put your best foot forward. Don’t let yourself be the one with a reputation for not getting work completed on time, showing up late for meetings, or letting the team down. Life happens, but if you’re concerned about anything like this, flag it early, and let the team know. Being professional is good for you, and your colleagues alike.

So, don’t forget about your soft skills! Make an effort to grow in those areas with the same intensity as your technical training. Having these skills will help improve your career prospects, and make work a more enjoyable place for you, and everyone around you. Get out there, and show them just how brilliant you can be!

Madison Pollard is a Digital Business Transformation apprentice at Multiverse based in London, UK, and is writing for The Apprentice Lens. Here's more about them:

Hi! I'm Madi, a Business Analyst at Girlguiding, focusing on digital and transformation projects. A keen writer, I've been blogging in one form or another for years, and I'm keen to share the knowledge and skills that I pick up throughout my apprenticeship. A lover of all this data, I enjoy creating graphics to explain my passions, including books and gardening.