I find this very insightful, as it shows how soft skills can directly impact hard skills. I practice adaptability on a smaller scale by raising my hand when new opportunities arise.
However, I also exhibit adaptability on a larger scale when I weather industry-wide shifts, such as the introduction of streaming services and generative AI.
6. Active Listening
Some of the best advice I’ve ever received is to avoid multitasking during meetings. It’s easy to get carried away when the to-do list is endless, and I’m booked in back-to-back meetings.
Meetings in which I don’t have to speak or take notes can be easy places to get some work done with my camera off and microphone muted.
Unfortunately, this is the least efficient use of my time. I waste my time sitting in the meeting if I’m not paying attention, and the work I get done is usually much slower than if I were doing it without any distractions. Worst of all, it tells team members I’m not practicing active listening.
Active listening is a form of communication that aims to achieve mutual understanding between two or more parties. When I actively listen to someone, I’m not just passively hearing what the speaker says. Instead, I’m fully attentive and respond directly to their statements.
A 2024 Gitnux report on listening reveals that active listeners retain 75% more information than passive listeners. The report also shares that active listening can improve team productivity by up to 25%, sales performance by up to 30%, problem-solving efficiency by up to 40%, and team collaboration by up to 50%.
