The Hard Truth About Soft Skills

Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish Th ey'd Learned Sooner

By: Peggy Klaus

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Paperback | 22 January 2008

At a Glance

Paperback
208 Pages

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20.3 x 13.5 x 1.3

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What's the hard truth? Soft skills get little respect but will make or break your career. Master your soft skills and really get ahead at work!

Fortune 500 coach Peggy Klaus encounters individuals every day who excel at their jobs but aren't getting where they want to go. It's rarely a shortfall in technical expertise that limits their careers, but rather a shortcoming in their social, communication, and self-management behaviors. In The Hard Truth About Soft Skills Klaus delivers practical tools and techniques for mastering soft skills across the career spectrum. She shows how to:

manage your workload
handle the critics
develop and promote your personal brand
navigate office politics
lead the troops
and much more!

Klaus reveals why soft skills are often ignored, while bringing their importance to life in her trademark style'straightforward, humorous, and motivating. Perfect for readers at all professional stages'from those who are just starting out to seasoned executives'this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to take his or her career to the next level.

Industry Reviews

"[Klaus's] practical advice is delivered in the conversational style of a one-on-one session with a personal coach.... The volume is recommended for those who are in need of a more personable approach to rising up professionally." -- Publishers Weekly

"The authors offer 54 important workplace lessons...[and]...offers important insight for career management which will be helpful to a wide range of library patrons." -- Booklist

"This is a good book to read with a notebook at your side, in case you spot anything you've been doing to hold yourself back in the workplace." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Business & Management Business Communication & Presentation Management & Management Techniques Family & Health Relationships & Families: Advice & Issues Psychology Occupational & Industrial Psychology Office & Workplace Education Careers Guidance Economics

Economic Theory & Philosophy Fiction Graphic Novels True Stories & Non-Fiction Self-Help, Personal Development & Practical Advice Popular Psychology

Introduction: The Hard Truth About Soft Skills	p. 1
Control Yourself	p. 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
Getting the Job Done	p. 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
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
When you Open Your Mouth... and Then Some	p. 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 betablockers
Handling your Critics	p. 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
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
What, me Political?	p. 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!
Branding and Bragging	p. 109
Think of yourself as a cereal brand
Turn your accomplishments into a story
Tooting your own horn isn't just for performance reviews
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
Hot Buttons: Gender, Generation, and Culture	p. 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
Leading the Troops	p. 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
The impostor syndrome will follow you up the ladder
A little humility takes you a long way
Afterword: Don't Skip your Soft Skills	p. 175
Acknowledgments	p. 181
Index	p. 183
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

The Hard Truth About Soft Skills

Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish Th ey'd Learned Sooner

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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