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Study: Boosting Soft Skills Is Better Than Raising Test Scores

A recent study was just released by Northwestern University’s Kirabo Jackson on the effect of soft skills vs test scores. This study demonstrates that schools that build social-emotional qualities are getting better short-term and long-term results for students than schools that only focus on improving test scores. https://hechingerreport.org/early-research-focuses-on-schools-that-develop-students-social-emotional-qualities/ This study [...]

By Terry Schmitz|2020-03-09T08:54:07-05:00March 9th, 2020|SEL, Soft Skills|1 Comment

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Soft Skills

Definition of Emotional Intelligence As the workplace adjusts to fewer people doing more work, new sets of skills are needed. Often there is no one around to supervise and direct the actions of others. Each worker must be able to work well with others, to direct their own work, and [...]

By Terry Schmitz|2020-01-06T09:18:57-06:00January 6th, 2020|SEL, Soft Skills|7 Comments

The Connection Between Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Goal Setting and Soft Skills

There has been much attention placed on social emotional learning (SEL) in the last few years. SEL is critical to the success of every person in our society. No doubt about it, improving SEL skills will result in more emotionally connected youth and adults. But is that enough to instill [...]

By Terry Schmitz|2020-01-06T08:08:29-06:00October 1st, 2019|Goal Setting and Achievement, SEL, Soft Skills|11 Comments

Empathy: Trust and Openness

An important part of empathy is the ability to trust and be trusted. This is key to bullying prevention. When trust exists between individuals it allows them to take risks and be open with each other. As trust builds, there will be more sharing of information, feelings, and opinions. The [...]

By Stefan Jacobson|2019-09-30T15:31:16-05:00September 9th, 2019|Bullying Prevention, Emotional Intelligence, Soft Skills|14 Comments

Social Skills: Helping Customers

Many jobs require employees to work with customers or clients. Your students need to start developing their communication skills so they can successfully interact with customers when required to do so. The quality of customer service is an important factor clients consider when making decisions about where to shop or [...]

By Terry Schmitz|2019-10-01T09:25:20-05:00September 6th, 2019|Emotional Intelligence, Soft Skills, Workplace Readiness|10 Comments

Teamwork: Solving Problems

Problem solving is the ability to work through problems by using critical thinking skills to arrive at a solution. In the workplace teams have to solve problems every single day. Problem solving as a team improves the chances of coming up with the best solution or result. When people work [...]

By Art Janowiak|2019-09-30T11:25:26-05:00August 30th, 2019|Soft Skills, Workplace Readiness|6 Comments

Social Skills: Responding To Conflict

Conflict is a normal part of everyday life and this includes the workplace. No one can choose their coworkers or customers. Some people get along great with coworkers or customers, while others have difficulty with one another. Even people that typically get along can sometimes find themselves disagreeing with each [...]

By Anna Schmitz|2019-09-30T15:00:45-05:00August 26th, 2019|Emotional Intelligence, Soft Skills, Workplace Readiness|4 Comments

Teamwork: Communication

Communication is how people share ideas, knowledge, and information. Everyone has been a part of a team that doesn’t communicate well. It is very difficult to get things done when this is the case. It’s important that the lines of communication are open in order for a group to work [...]

By Terry Schmitz|2019-07-17T15:15:13-05:00August 23rd, 2019|Emotional Intelligence, Soft Skills, Workplace Readiness|1 Comment

Social Skills: Networking

Networking, or forming professional relationships with people, is an important part of any job. Even if someone’s job doesn’t require them to work directly with customers, it never hurts to meet other people in the industry or profession. There are many benefits to networking, including the receiving and sharing of [...]

By Stefan Jacobson|2019-10-01T09:17:34-05:00August 19th, 2019|Emotional Intelligence, Soft Skills, Workplace Readiness|1 Comment

Teamwork: Being an Active Participant

Every team is only as strong as its weakest member. All it takes is one weak member to bring the entire group down. Sometimes a silent group member can be just as harmful to the group as a negative group member. Someone who fails to participate is not only failing [...]

By Stefan Jacobson|2019-09-30T14:59:59-05:00August 16th, 2019|Emotional Intelligence, Soft Skills, Workplace Readiness|1 Comment