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Soft skills are important attributes in any scenario, especially in a professional setting. Research shows that 85% of job success stems from having well-developed soft and people skills. These soft skills encompass a wide range of competencies that enable you to socialize with others and enhance effectiveness in accomplishing tasks.
Soft skills include skills like communication, time management, leadership, collaboration, analytical thinking, and emotional intelligence, among others.
Our previous article on Time Management mentioned how cultivating time management and other soft skills can drive organizational success by enabling you to be productive and navigate professional situations. This makes developing soft skills essential, whether through workshops, coaching sessions, or even online resources like audiobooks. Below, we look at why audiobooks, in particular, can help with effectively developing soft skills and offer titles to help you learn these essential skills.
Why audiobooks?
According to research published in Springer Nature, audiobooks are accessible materials and can enhance productivity. The same study emphasized that because listening to audiobooks is hands-free, professional or casual listeners can do essential tasks while staying engaged in learning. Nowadays, users can access a wide range of soft skill audiobooks on Everand, such as Bruce Tulgan’s Bridging the Soft Skills Gap and Cindi Reiman’s Soft Skills for Dummies. Users can even set a timer duration to customize listening times to digest information in shorter listening sessions more easily. Other platforms like Libby might also offer audiobooks on soft skill development from your local library’s catalog.
Below are some titles you can check out:
Four audiobooks for learning essential soft skills:
Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows
Analytical thinking is an essential soft skill that lets you process information critically to solve problems. In Donella Meadows’ Thinking in Systems, you’ll access comprehensive material that offers insights on developing systems-thinking skills for enhanced problem-solving abilities. Instead of panicking in the face of a problem, this audiobook teaches you how to become an effective thought leader. The work, which runs for around six hours, is a perfect resource for anyone looking to be proactive and solution-driven – which are essential soft skill qualities that can drive personal and organizational success.
Master Your Time, Master Your Life by Brian Tracy
According to a PLOS One study, time management enhances job performance and well-being. Therefore, learning how to develop this soft skill is essential in helping you cultivate a strong work ethic. To achieve this, Brian Tracy’s Master Your Mind, Master Your Life has you covered. The audiobook, which runs for four hours, contains steps on creating a framework for enhanced productivity. Written by an internationally renowned productivity expert, this work teaches you how to allocate your time into various categories of priority, including goal setting, people and family, and income improvement.
Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams
Communication is a fundamental soft skill that can help you build a good rapport with others. In Think Faster, Talk Smarter, you’ll learn key strategies from communication expert and Stanford Lecturer Matt Abrahams on how to talk effectively in spontaneous situations. This seven-hour audiobook contains science-based practices on managing anxiety and creating relevant yet memorable content when speaking. Whether in an interview or a client meeting, this audiobook can equip you with effective communication practices to help build a good first impression and make you an effective public speaker.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Interpersonal skills are essential soft skills that can help you build strong relationships with others. In Dale Carnegie’s work How to Win Friends and Influence People, you’ll learn the importance of listening to all points of view when handling problems, helping you avoid arguments and avert conflicts from escalating further. This seven-hour, timeless bestseller teaches you how to communicate effectively, make people like you, and become a more effective leader – all essential soft skills in navigating a professional setting.
Developing your soft skills is essential in building relationships with others and fostering a positive work environment. Check out these audiobooks to help you hone crucial soft skills that can help you navigate your professional life successfully.
