You have to communicate, negotiate and convince people everyday. Going to the store will have you taking decisions and using a variety of soft skills. So what are soft skills? What is active listening? How does your mind, the words you use and the attitude influence you surroundings? In the first of 4 classes on Soft Skills, we cover the basics around the mindset.

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Subjects Covered:

- What are Soft Skills?

- Communication essentials: Active listening and Feedback loop

- Communication Overhead

- Communicating creates conflict - which is good

- Mindset: Be sure What you want

- Mindset: Enthusiasm

- Mindset: Positive Wording & Neutral Language

This is a basic introduction and I do not speak very fast. The videos are with the important pieces of text on the slides so that you can read along. Please let me know if that is a good format or not, it is intended towards beginners and allows non native english speakers to follow along better. Use 1.5 Speed if it is too slow.:)

You heard a lot about Mindset. So take a minute and reflect:

Have you ever intentionally thought about what your goal was before you entered a difficult conversation? Or a Sales Call? A negotiation?

So my task to you is:

Write down what your desired solution or outcome of a difficult talk ahead is.

Then ask yourself what mindset you need to reach that desired outcome? What do you need to know? What questions need to be answered? How patient are you with them? How can you be the person the other wants to listen to and ultimately agree with you?

There is no right or wrong to this, this is simply an exercise to become more aware of how you communicate.

A good speaker is a better listener, so listen carefully and know what you want to achieve, ask specifically and more until you know enough to offer your proposals, your ideas and insights.

Let the other feel that they are heard - and they will listen to you.