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In today’s rapidly evolving job market, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Employers are increasingly valuing soft skills—interpersonal attributes that shape how employees interact, communicate, and collaborate. Why Soft Skills Matter? Soft skills, such as communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and teamwork, influence workplace culture and productivity. According to a LinkedIn study, 92% of talent professionals say that soft skills are just as important, if not more so, than hard skills. One major reason for this shift is automation. As AI and technology take over repetitive tasks, human-centric skills like creativity, leadership, and emotional intelligence have become critical differentiators. Key Soft Skills for Career Success 🧁 1. Communication Skills – Essential for conveying ideas clearly and fostering teamwork. 2. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) – Helps in managing relationships and resolving conflicts. 3. Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking – Enables innovative and strategic decision-making. 4. Leadership & Teamwork – Crucial for motivating teams and achieving business goals. 5. Adaptability & Resilience – Essential in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing work environments. The Impact of Soft Skills on Business Growth Research from MIT Sloan shows that investing in soft skills training increases productivity, engagement, and retention rates. Employees with strong interpersonal skills help build positive work cultures, reducing conflicts and improving collaboration. Developing Soft Skills for Future Success • Unlike hard skills, which can be learned through training, soft skills require continuous practice and self-awareness. Here are some ways to develop them: • Seek feedback from mentors or colleagues. • Practice active listening in conversations. • Engage in team-based projects to improve collaboration. • Take leadership roles in small or big tasks. As industries evolve, the ability to communicate, adapt, and lead will define professional success. Whether in business, technology, or healthcare, mastering soft skills will help individuals and organizations thrive in the future.

"As traditional career paths evolve, the lattice model offers a flexible and holistic approach to growth, especially for women navigating modern workplaces." Published September 3, 2024 Read More

By STEM Women "As a woman, have you ever found yourself using the phrases “I may be wrong, but…”, or “I’m not an expert in this, but…”, or excessively using the word “sorry…”? Research has found that women are much more likely to use self-deprecating or ‘softer’ language in the workplace. Let’s take a closer look at what language women tend to use and why." Read More

"When it comes to emails, it isn't a surprise that men and women communicate differently. But research shows that when certain writing styles are used by women, the message can be received differently." Read More

Margaret Heffernan, Writer, entrepreneur The former CEO of five businesses, Margaret Heffernan explores the all-too-human thought patterns that lead organizations and managers astray. Organizations are often run according to "the superchicken model," where the value is placed on star employees who outperform others. And yet, this isn't what drives the most high-achieving teams. Business leader Margaret Heffernan observes that it is social cohesion — built every coffee break, every time one team member asks another for help — that leads over time to great results. It's a radical rethink of what drives us to do our best work, and what it means to be a leader. Because as Heffernan points out: "Companies don't have ideas. Only people do."

By Rachel Pedersen Get fired up to launch a business, creative project, or side hustle—and build your dreams on your own terms—with unconventional wisdom from the “Queen of Social Media.” In 2013, Rachel Pedersen was a single mom, freshly off of food stamps and struggling to get her life on track. Three years later, she left her 9-to-5 job and launched a consulting business with her husband. Today, she is the founder and CEO of two multimillion-dollar companies and an expert in every aspect of social media, helping businesses 10X (or 100X!) with massive, needle-moving growth. She didn’t get there by following somebody else’s rules. Using personal stories that both instruct and inspire, Unfiltered shares the lessons Rachel has learned on her incredible journey from welfare to millions—and gives you a new way to think about what success can look like in your life. Readers will find: Practical strategies for starting and building a business, including savvy guidelines for using social media marketing Real-life examples from Rachel’s clients and her own experience Essential practices you can’t take for granted—from cultivating good business habits to building a solid circle of support Advice for hanging on when your entrepreneurship journey becomes an emotional roller coaster A roadmap for finding your own way to get ahead—without sacrificing the things that matter most And much more  Create your dream business and life, starting today. Learn More Get the Book

Have your recently join TPRA's Mentorship Program? Are you unsure of how to get the ball rolling and conversations flowing? We've got your back! Below you will find an extensive list of topics and questions which a mentorship pair can utilize to facilitate discussions and ensure a successful relationship. Mentor to Mentee: Questions a Mentor can ask their Mentee These are great questions to ask at the beginning of the relationship to get the ball rolling and better understand your mentee's needs. 1. Accountability is important as you move towards your goal(s).  2. Is having me as an accountability partner something you are hoping for? And if so, how do you see that playing out? 3. Do you have a long-term goal in mind or is that something you are hoping to develop through our mentoring relationship?  4. Do you have any boundaries around communication—and, if so, what are they? 5. Do you prefer to limit our communications to designated meeting times—or are you open to more frequent, informal communication? (For example, sending text messages with questions in between meetings.) 6. From your perspective, what would make this mentorship a successful one? 7. How do you prefer to communicate? (For example, do you prefer email, phone calls, text messages, video calls, or in-person meetings?) 8. How often do you see us communicating? 9. What are you hoping to gain from this mentor-mentee relationship? 10. What can I do to make it easier for you to discuss challenges with me as you work towards hitting your goal(s)? 11. What have been some of the challenges you have faced while trying to reach your goal(s)? 12. What is your short-term goal, and how do you think I can best help you hit that goal? 13. Tell me about yourself, your family, your work. 14. What is the dream you want to achieve? 15. Do you have a support group around you (e.g. a personal board of directors)? Share what that looks like for you. 16. How much time do you spend networking? 17. How much time do you spend on continuing education? 18. What is your measurement for your own personal success? 19. Where do you see yourself next year, in five years, in ten years? 20. Are you happy in your current role? 21. How often do you assess where you are at in comparison to where you want to be? Mentee to Mentor: Questions a Mentee can ask their Mento 1. Are you happy with your current employer? Why or Why Not? 2. Are you happy in your current role? Why or Why Not? 3. Can we role-play asking for a raise and a promotion? 4. Can you recommend a book or resource for dealing with difficult conversations? 5. Can you tell me about a time when you had a difficult boss? How did you handle the situation? 6. Could you offer feedback on ways to improve my executive presence? 7. Do you have a template that you use for long-range visioning and strategic planning? 8. Do you have any quick tips for re-energizing an overworked team? 9. How can I become a more assertive negotiator? 10. How can I become better at managing people who do not report to me? 11. How can I let my boss know that I don’t need to be micromanaged? 12. How can I stay connected to key influencers who do not work in same office or geographical area? 13. How could I communicated my idea more clearly? 14. How did you develop the skill of speaking so engagingly in front of groups? 15. How did you learn to embrace risk-taking? 16. How I am viewed by leadership? 17. I have been asked to facilitate a team-building activity at a staff retreat. What are some keys to success? 18. I have two very different career path options available to me. Can you weigh in to help me make a final decision? 19. I tried to delegate a task last week and it did not go well. Can we work through what to do differently next time? 20. I would love accountability as I move towards my goal. Are you comfortable acting as an accountability partner—and holding me accountable? 21. I'm considering a career transition. What are some other areas of the business that might be a good fit for me? 22. I’ve heard that taking a stretch assignment could help my career trajectory. What are the pros and cons? 23. In your experience, what do you think is the most effective way to reach my goal? 24. In your experience, what do you think my short-term goals should be to get me closer to my long term goals? 25. Is there a skill you’re currently working to enhance, such as project management, long-term strategic planning, delegating, or public speaking? Use questions like these to ask your mentor for advice and resources to help you polish that skill: 26. My boss said I need to be more strategic. What does that mean? 27. My performance review is coming up. What type of preparation do you most appreciate seeing from your employees? 28. Of the individuals you follow on LinkedIn, which do you recommend? 29. Tell me about a recent business setback. How did you recover? 30. Tell me about your biggest advocate and what you learned from him/her? 31. Tell me about your biggest nemisis and what you learned from him/her? 32. Think back to five years ago. Did you envision your career as it is today? 33. Was there a time you messed up and felt like you’d failed? How did you bounce back? 34. Was there ever a role you applied for and landed, but weren't 100% qualified to do? How did you proceed? 35. What are some mistakes you have made that you wish you could have avoided & What did you learn from them? 36. What aspect of private practice do you find most challenging? 37. What books have you found foundational or inspirational in your journey? 38. What career accomplishment are you the most proud of, and why? 39. What challenges are you facing today? 40. What continuing education have you prioritized for yourself? 41. What do people say about me when I’m not in the room? 42. What do you enjoy most about being a practitioner? 43. What do you see as some of my blind spots and how can I improve? 44. What do you wish you had known before taking your first management role? 45. What has been the most challenging experience you’ve had with a client—and how did you overcome it?* 46. What has been the most rewarding experience you’ve had with a client—and why was it so rewarding?* 47. What networks have you engaged with to build out relationships? 48. What new skills do I need to move ahead? 49. What Pod Casts are you listenting to? 50. What practices can you recommend for dealing with nervousness when speaking to groups? 51. What skills and/or education have been the most beneficial for you in your career? Why? 52. What Ted Talks to you follow? 53. What’s a good methodology or tool for project management and tracking team commitments? 54. What’s something you know now that you wish you would have known when you were starting your career? 55. What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned and how has it proven invaluable? 56. When I presented at the last meeting, how did I do? Did my communication style support the message I intended to deliver? 57. When trying to gain buy-in to implement a new program, what tactics have worked for you? 58. Where do you look for inspiration 59. Where do you see my strengths? 60. Where do you see yourself next year, in five years, or in 10 years? 61. Which leadership skills were the most difficult to develop? 62. Who are the people I need to align with in this organization to achieve success? Additional Discussion Topics Here are some discussion topics for mentor and mentee meetings: 1. Progress Review: Reflecting on the progress made since the last meeting, discussing accomplishments, challenges faced, and lessons learned. 2. Goal Setting and Action Planning: Setting short-term and long-term goals, breaking them down into actionable steps, and determining strategies for achieving them. 3. Skills Development: Identifying areas for skill development or improvement, discussing potential learning opportunities, and creating a plan for skill enhancement. 4. Career Exploration: Exploring potential career paths, discussing career aspirations, and strategizing ways to advance professionally. 5. Feedback and Self-Reflection: Providing and receiving constructive feedback on performance, behaviors, and actions, and encouraging self-reflection for personal and professional growth. 6. Networking and Relationship Building: Sharing networking experiences, identifying opportunities for building professional relationships, and discussing strategies for effective networking. 7. Work-Life Balance: Assessing current work-life balance, discussing challenges in managing work and personal life, and brainstorming strategies for achieving a healthy balance. 8. Professional Challenges: Addressing specific challenges or obstacles encountered in the workplace, seeking advice and guidance from the mentor, and exploring potential solutions. 9. Leadership and Management Skills: Discussing leadership and management principles, sharing experiences in leadership roles, and exploring ways to develop leadership skills. 10. Industry Trends and Insights: Sharing insights into current industry trends, discussing emerging technologies or best practices, and brainstorming ways to stay relevant in the field. 11. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Exploring topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, discussing challenges and opportunities for creating inclusive environments. 12. Personal Branding: Crafting and refining the mentee's personal brand, discussing how to effectively communicate strengths and value proposition to employers or colleagues. 13. Career Transitions: Discussing potential career transitions, such as job changes or promotions, and strategizing ways to successfully navigate these transitions. 14. Celebrating Achievements: Recognizing and celebrating achievements, milestones, or successes, and acknowledging the mentee's progress and growth. 15. Future Planning: Discussing long-term career goals, aspirations, and plans for the future, and outlining steps to achieve these objectives.

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What are some general thoughts or questions you have on this topic? Comment below! ⬇️

Tahmima Anam, Writer, Novelist, & Columnist Tahmima Anam is a Bangladeshi-born British writer, novelist and columnist. Her first novel, A Golden Age (2007), was the Best First Book winner of the 2008 Commonwealth Writers' Prizes. Her follow-up novel, The Good Muslim, was nominated for the 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize. Novelist Tahmima Anam spent 10 years working in the world of tech startups which led in part to her most recent novel, The Startup Wife. Tahmima also has a doctorate in Cultural Anthropology and she applies those skills to discuss the counterintuitive ways that women can positively influence the cultures of modern organisations.

Use your voice to lead us to a better future with this game-changing guide to redefining what power and authority sound like—from a speech expert who’s worked with Hollywood’s biggest stars, political powerhouses, and businesspeople shaking up the status quo. “I love this book—funny, surprising, stirring, and so important! What a beautiful accomplishment and gift to put into the world.”—Rachel McAdams Getting heard is a tricky business: It’s what you say and how you show up, filtered through your audience’s assumptions and biases—and maybe even your own. For women, people of color, immigrants, and queer folks, there’s often a dissonance between how you speak and how we collectively think powerful people should speak: like the wealthy white men who’ve historically been in charge. But, fortunately, the sound of power is changing. Permission to Speak is your tool kit for making that change. In this revolutionary take on how to use your voice to get what you want, sought-after speech coach Samara Bay offers a fresh perspective on public speaking and a new definition of what power sounds like: namely, you. Blending anecdotes with eye-opening research in leadership, linguistics, and social science, Permission to Speak shows you how to strike the right balance of strength and warmth to land your message; exactly what to do before a high-stakes scenario so that your voice, your mind, and your spirit are ready; and how to turn habits like vocal fry and upspeak into tools. Most important, you’ll discover your voice story: why you talk the way you do, what’s wonderful about it, and what you’ve outgrown. Fiery, fun, and truly profound, Permission to Speak is a personal and cultural reckoning with what speaking in public is and what it can be. This book meets the moment and offers this provocation: When we change what power sounds like, we change who has it. Samara Bay coaches rising business leaders, political hopefuls, and public figures who need to speak in a voice they recognize as their own to truly make waves. She runs workshops and speaks at organizations around the world to support a new, diverse sound of power. In Hollywood, she helps movie stars integrate good acting with good accents, and has coached clients including Gal Gadot, Pierce Brosnan, Penélope Cruz, Ricky Martin, Terry Crews, Rachel McAdams, Ruth Negga, and Anjelica Huston. She has a BA from Princeton University and an MFA from Brown University. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and dog, Moxie. Get the Book(https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667566/permission-to-speak-by-samara-bay/)