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The skills and behaviors we refer to as “soft” are the hard core of what drives success.  The Carnegie Institute of Technology reports that 85% of success in business comes from your ability to communicate, negotiate and lead.  Only 15% is attributable to technical knowledge.

Soft skills, also referred to as emotional intelligence, include your ability to be friendly, put people at ease, communicate effectively, demonstrate optimism, treat others with respect, and motivate oneself to achieve goals for the sake of the goal, not just for the reward.

To strengthen your soft skills, and demonstrate greater emotional intelligence, acknowledge others through steady, respectful eye contact; when they speak, sit up straight and lean forward as evidence of interest; practice active listening and avoid interrupting others; and approach differences of style and opinion in a nonjudgmental manner…ask questions to understand the other’s perspective.