People Power Skills:
In the age of technology and automation, one fundamental truth remains unchanged: businesses thrive or fail because of people. The heartbeat of every organisation, people are the driving force behind innovation, growth, and success.
The business world has become much more aware of the effects wellbeing and motivation have on performance, yet many firms fail to maximise the potential of their employees.
Effective training which helps employees become more agile, resilient, and self-aware could yield incredible results in terms of productivity, creativity, leadership, and cost-minimisation.
Here we explore the 4 key People Power Skills which can help create an unstoppable workforce.
Personal Agility:
Personal agility refers to an individual’s capacity to swiftly respond and adapt to changing circumstances, while maintaining a strong sense of purpose and direction. It involves a mindset that embraces change, seeks continuous improvement, and harnesses the power of resilience and versatility. Much like its counterpart in the business world, personal agility empowers individuals to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
An agile mindset is necessary to succeed in today’s world of business, where a strategy, campaign, or the competitive landscape may change at the last minute. Meaning that in order to come out on top you have to be ahead of your competition, and the only way to do that is by being agile and quickly adapting to the new landscape (or having incredible prediction skills and anticipating the change in advance).
In an era of constant innovation, those who resist change risk falling behind. Personal agility encourages individuals to embrace innovation, experiment with new ideas, and adopt novel approaches to problem-solving. This not only drives personal growth but also enhances a business’s ability to innovate. A prime example of a firm that failed to be agile is Nokia, once a powerhouse in the telephone industry which got outpaced and outplayed by more agile competitors in Apple and Samsung.
Yet another well-known example is Blockbuster, a giant in the film-rental industry which got put out of business by the very company they chose not to buy – Netflix. The reason behind this decision which led to their downfall? A lack of innovation, resistance to change, complacency, just to name a few.
So now that we know why agility is a key people power skill, how do you cultivate an agile mindset?
Continuous Learning: Stay updated with industry trends and developments through regular learning and skill enhancement. Engage in workshops, seminars, online courses, and networking events to expand your knowledge base.
Goal Flexibility: While having long-term goals is important, be open to adjusting your goals and strategies based on changing circumstances. Regularly reassess your objectives and pivot as needed.
Adopting a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. View failures as learning experiences and be willing to step out of your comfort zone to acquire new skills.
Embracing Change: Actively seek out changes in your industry and explore how they might affect your role or business. Proactively adapt to these changes to remain relevant and competitive.
As businesses continue to evolve, the importance of personal agility will only become more pronounced, making it an essential people power skill for professionals striving to excel in their careers.
Personal Resilience:
Resilience is the cornerstone of emotional and mental well-being. It equips us with the inner strength to handle life’s challenges, whether they are unexpected setbacks, personal losses, or professional obstacles. Resilient individuals are better equipped to cope with stress, anxiety, and adversity, enabling them to maintain a more balanced and positive outlook on life.
In order to be agile, one has to be resilient. This is because an agile mindset can be stressful; constant changes of direction, strategy, having to overcome the setbacks of failure, and much more. Resilience fosters a mindset that seeks learning and self-improvement, allowing us to emerge from difficult situations stronger and more capable.
Furthermore, resilience acts as a protective shield for our mental health. It enables us to build effective coping mechanisms, manage negative emotions, and maintain a sense of control during trying times. By nurturing resilience, we reduce the risk of succumbing to stress-related disorders and enhance our overall psychological well-being. Resilient individuals are more likely to achieve their aspirations, as they approach obstacles with determination and a willingness to adapt their strategies.
Resilient individuals serve as beacons of inspiration for those around them. By demonstrating courage, determination, and a positive outlook, they inspire friends, family, and colleagues to develop their own resilience, making this a key skill for anyone in a leadership position. Employees often take on the traits and qualities of their leaders, meaning that every organisation needs to carefully plan out who is placed in leadership positions to ensure the right culture is created. A culture of resilience, and agility; a culture where each employee possesses these people power skills.
Mental Wellness:
In the bustling world of business where targets, profits, and growth often take centre stage, a critical aspect is frequently overlooked: mental wellness. The well-being of employees and leaders alike is the cornerstone upon which sustainable success is built.
Mental wellness directly impacts productivity and performance. When individuals are in a positive mental state, they are more focused, creative, and efficient in their tasks. Conversely, ignoring mental well-being can lead to burnout, reduced concentration, and a decline in overall work quality.
Ignoring mental wellness can lead to increased absenteeism and high turnover rates. Stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues contribute to employee disengagement and exhaustion. An estimate of 17,000,000 working days are lost each year as a result of stress. Meaning that businesses lose a fortune because of this. Creating a supportive environment that addresses mental well-being helps retain valuable talent and reduces the financial burden of frequent recruitment and training.
By fostering a supportive work environment that values mental well-being, businesses can enhance productivity, engagement, and overall satisfaction. Conversely, ignoring mental wellness can lead to a host of problems, from declining performance and increased turnover to elevated stress levels and a tarnished reputation. Showing that mental wellness is a crucial people power skill for every organisation.
Emotional Intelligence:
Technical skills and expertise are undoubtedly crucial; however, a lesser discussed yet equally vital attribute is emotional intelligence (EI). This unique set of skills encompasses the ability to understand, manage, and harness emotions – both one’s own and those of others.
Emotional intelligence comprises a spectrum of abilities, including self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. Individuals with high emotional intelligence are attuned to their own feelings and can effectively navigate complex social dynamics, making them invaluable assets in any professional setting.
Leaders with high emotional intelligence are adept at understanding and motivating their team members. They possess the ability to inspire, build trust, and create a positive work environment. By recognising and addressing the emotions and needs of their employees, emotionally intelligent leaders empower their teams to achieve their full potential.
Individuals with strong EI can navigate disagreements with empathy and diplomacy, facilitating constructive dialogue and maintaining harmonious working relationships. They can analyse situations from various perspectives, anticipate potential outcomes, and factor in the feelings of stakeholders, resulting in more balanced and effective choices.
By valuing and developing emotional intelligence within the workforce, businesses can create a culture of empathy, understanding, and cooperation, ultimately driving greater success and sustainability in today’s dynamic business landscape.
People Power Skills: Final Thoughts:
So, these are the 4 People Power Skills which could not only create an unstoppable workforce, but skills that can also help you along your journey throughout life. All 4 People Power Skills are incredibly useful but can also be rather difficult to adopt.
If you are interested in creating an unstoppable workforce, or trying to become unstoppable yourself, reach out to us for the People Power Skills program delivered by our director and 2x TEDx speaker, Gina Buckney.
Whether you’re looking to improve yourself, your team, or your entire organisation, we will tailor the people power skills program to suit your needs.
Communication is a key People Power Skill that was not mentioned here, but one that is equally as crucial. If you are looking to improve your public speaking skills sign up to our Public Speaking Masterclass now! It is hosted by Gina Buckney, a 2x TEDx speaker and the director of Your People Power.
Click here to find out more about how we can support your business, and your people.
If you are part of a workplace doing great things in the area of workplace wellbeing and employee wellness and would like to be featured in a future article, please get in touch with one of our team today, or contact us here. We love to learn and share details of companies doing fantastic things to support their people.
