
When working in any team, __the maintenance of a positive work environment is the key to success__. There are a variety of ways that one might set out to reinforce good relations between team members. A stand-out example, that we will be discussing in this post, is the use of [employee recognition](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/employee-recognition-examples-from-peoplegoal).

The power of employee recognition programs is seen in their capacity to __bring colleagues closer and establish a collective understanding__ of what defines a top performance. With a designated space or tool to share such recognition, amongst other benefits, [the productivity of employees has been seen to significantly improve](https://www.business2community.com/human-resources/how-employee-recognition-systems-improve-productivity-02304926).

Oftentimes, it is simply through these small signs of [appreciation](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/how-to-create-employee-appreciation-culture-in-your-organization) that employees develop a stronger commitment and positive response to their work. Given that the act of recognition can be so effective, [PeopleGoal has created a process](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/how-hr-software-creates-positive-employee-experience) that simplifies and streamlines the process of giving recognition.

## Why Recognition is Important

Imagine a world without recognition. Any effort that you ever put into something was simply a means to an end. No one would show appreciation for grand gestures, nor small. [The human bonding experience](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/positive-psychology-for-coaching) of achieving something together would be an empty accomplishment. Nothing would mean anything and we would live in an emotionless void. Without recognition, there is a significant lack of motivation.

Now snap back into reality and consider how a company rewards its employees for their efforts. Salaries are earned, bonuses are rewarded but amongst all of it, there is the emotional communication of a job well done. For any team to function well, there must be __a strong current of recognition and appreciation__ for any actions. Even simply a nod of approval will encourage an individual to continue doing good work. [Recognition provides guidance](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/examples-of-informal-communications), it will show employees how and why top performers are so regularly celebrated and it demonstrates to them how they can fulfill expectations. Recognized employees will best understand their responsibilities and how to achieve them.

## Giving Recognition with PeopleGoal

In tandem with our latest development to make the [new item creation and submission flow more accessible](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/feature-release-new-item-creation-flow), PeopleGoal has been able to create a new recognition app that is easy to use, whilst also facilitating powerful results.

The update to the item creation function essentially enables any employee to preview the item or form prior to creating it. This is significant for recognition as it will allow an employee to look through the type of response or recognition they would like to give before the recipient is notified of their inclusion within the item. On top of this, having the option to preview an item will also encourage the user to more regularly explore the [types of recognition that they can give](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/driving-employee-engagement-using-recognition-badges).

![peoplegoal recognition](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/60ZDYUteyWX37VnnegVG4M/148e82da3f71640681b6089354e35ebb/peoplegoal_recognition.png)

## Recognition in the Workplace

The image above provides a representation of how the preview function works. When an employee creates a new item to give their recognition, they are able to select the recipient as well as [the message they would like to share with them](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/positive-feedback-for-colleagues-examples-and-tips). Through using this new function, __an employee can give recognition in a matter of minutes__.

With such an accessible system for giving recognition, this process will promote much stronger feelings of sentiment among team members. [Collaboration](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/remote-employee-onboarding-tips) on tasks or great displays of teamwork can be recorded and celebrated through this tool for recognition. On a company-wide scale, the distribution of recognition will bring a positive working environment that will also facilitate a considerably more productive workforce. Praise for doing good work encourages more of the same.

As we see in this next image - the employee who has received recognition or praise will then be able to see who sent the recognition and some details as to why they sent it. Peer to peer recognition is a healthy and positive way to [promote a supportive company culture](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/employee-engagement-company-values). There is even a competitive advantage for companies that adopt this approach to employee recognition as it generates an internal source of inspiration to better perform.

In a team where employees work for each other, there will be [better teamwork](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/10-ways-to-create-a-culture-of-teamwork-while-working-remotely). Top performers will be highlighted and can in fact be useful for demonstrating to other employees how to get things done. Employee engagement will increase and a persistent channel of recognition will reinforce company culture.

![recognition given](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/30njdhlJvuKtfQtpJeZOFw/aeb367b768ac43bdbcf8fc6c5b53f5e9/recognition_given.png)

## The Benefits of Recognition for Remote Work

In any team, sharing recognition or praise for an individuals efforts are great for building team morale and employee engagement. Of course, when working from a [remote setting](https://www.peoplegoal.com/guides/remote-work) - these opportunities for recognizing employees become harder to come by. Without the frequent informal social interactions that are exhibited in the office, there are significantly fewer opportunities to share compliments.

For this reason, a recognition tool can be an extremely effective way to [encourage a positive work environment](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/ideas-for-employee-recognition). Team members may not see each other face-to-face regularly and yet they will still be able to demonstrate their appreciation through such recognition tools. There numerous benefits to adopting a culture of giving recognition, below we have compiled a list of just some of these benefits:

- More Productive Workforce
- Better Employee Motivation
- Higher Profitability
- Establish a Positive Work Environment
- Stronger Talent Retention
- Better Employee Collaboration

Recognition is just one part of [positive feedback](https://www.peoplegoal.com/guides/360-feedback-the-essential-guide), and should be part of a larger, structural initiative to positively encourage employees. The importance of praising handwork and success of our team members will generate an environment where everyone wants to and can be their best selves.

The power of employee recognition programs is seen in a capacity to bring colleagues closer & establish a collective understanding in defining top performance.

The power of employee recognition is seen in its capacity to bring colleagues closer and establish a collective understanding of what defines a top performance.

Show your employee appreciation through employee recognition

pg business 66

## The Benefits of Recognition for Remote Work

- More Productive Workforce
- Better Employee Motivation
- Higher Profitability
- Establish a Positive Work Environment
- Stronger Talent Retention
- Better Employee Collaboration

Show your Employee Appreciation through Employee Recognition

![item creation 16-9](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/1Mv4cevQiL6brUuhQGQ04Y/6dc7165b50341142e253b16bbc8ae8ad/item_creation_16-9.png)

Secondly, we've made a small change to how items are handled upon submission. Previously, users were taken back to the app home screen after item submission. For apps with multiple states and the same participant, this was confusing as the user would have to re-open the item to continue working on it in the next state. This is now improved with the item submission redirecting users to the same item in the new state immediately after submission.

This month we've updated how new items and created and submitted. These changes should improve the user experience when handling items, removing some of the anxiety associated with creating a new item by allowing users to 'preview' the form before it's created.

This month we've updated how new items and created and submitted. These changes should improve the user experience when handling items.

New item creation & submission flow

Employee Development Create development opportunities that Work

Improvements to the way items are created and handled

__Today we're excited to announce a complete reinvention of our PeopleGoal product architecture to meet growing HR demand for agility, flexibility and customization.__

PeopleGoal is an end-to-end global HR solution that helps growing businesses to engage and develop their people. Our version 2.0 platform is the first HR app store of its kind and offers a suite of 30+ best-in-class apps within five key HR themes: onboarding, engagement, performance management, culture and HRIS. 

## A flexible solution for agile HR

The antithesis of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, PeopleGoal now offers complete customization so that HR teams can either modify or build tailor-made apps to better support their people and improve the employee experience. Key benefits include full visibility of team dynamics and real relationships, as well as the ability to build custom surveys in a matter of minutes.

Commenting on the launch, [PeopleGoal Founder & CEO, Nikolaos Lygkonis](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolaos-lygkonis-b38a1516), said:

> The reinvention of our platform has been two years in the making and we’re extremely proud of the result. We have a top quality product that is unrivalled in the SME space and we’re excited to take it to market at a time when the need for HR agility and customization is at an all-time high.

![peoplegoal dashboard](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/2r3yr6VLuM79MpkSqf7dSB/939db2cbcf6cd833345052afd4404219/peoplegoal_dashboard.png)

## No code configuration

With no code configuration, PeopleGoal empowers HR leaders to do things when and how they want, supported by apps built on best practice templates. 

[James Strickland, Founder and CTO at PeopleGoal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-strickland-17992584), commented:

> We believe the customer knows best so we wanted to build a game-changing, customer-led product that would enable HR teams to do things their way. PeopleGoal requires no code configuration yet it unlocks all the opportunities that come with a highly agile and completely customisable solution. Our version 2.0 customers are already reporting significant time and cost savings and that’s great validation for the product we’ve created.

![peoplegoal workspaces](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/017e1hNsORGAns0tOxqmuQ/11e2b53a8b94be4e3a028678d60740b8/peoplegoal_workspaces.png)

## HR, your way

Echoing this point, Nora Thomas, HR Manager at Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research - one of the first customers to start using PeopleGoal 2.0, said:

> The new system has been built in direct response to customer feedback and that makes for a very relevant and nimble HR solution. The great thing about PeopleGoal is that it works for everyone - from the CEO right down to entry level positions, and can be customized to fit any organizational structure, which offers a great employee experience. 

Thomas continued:

> I’ve also been really impressed by the system’s ability to seamlessly link performance reviews with compensation. This is something I’d wanted to have the ability to do from the outset and PeopleGoal’s workflow engine not only enables me to achieve this, it also lets me configure it exactly as I want.

![peoplegoal apps](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/7f0e5uPqcNBmyG1Az8Uh9e/09a54aa05a44750e298efe2feef9d3cc/peoplegoal_apps.png)

## Powerful integration

PeopleGoal’s new app engine also offers seamless integration with a number of leading global SaaS companies, including: BambooHR; Workday; ADP Workforce Now, UltiPro; Slack; Microsoft Azure; Microsoft Teams; and Jira. 

Our PeopleGoal v2.0 platform is already receiving strong industry acclaim having just been shortlisted for Best Business Application, Best Business Software Provider, and Best Software-as-a-Service Provider at the [2020 Computing Technology Product Awards](https://event.computing.co.uk/technologyproductawards/en/page/2020-finalists).

![peoplegoal teams](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/6rLRsamMB83mJga7qOy1VH/402fed2662a04c87900f2f720c76e2d3/peoplegoal_teams.png)

---
Book your demo [here](https://www.peoplegoal.com/book-a-demo) to get a first look at the brand new PeopleGoal platform.


Custom HR processes built in minutes with no code configuration and with a first ‘build-as-you-go’ HR app store for SMEs.

PeopleGoal 2.0 is Live 🎉

PeopleGoal v2

__I'm pleased to announce that we've released our redesigned user dashboard to our PeopleGoal v2 beta customers today. This is a major upgrade on the old dashboard with numerous new features and displays.__

## Our Objectives

We've been listening to your feedback regarding the current dashboard and agreed on a number of objectives for the redesign:

- Bring together the different __areas of functionality__ (teams, workspaces, apps, users) into a cohesive one-stop picture for a user
- Provide better resources for users that are __searching for information__
- Provide quick access to__ key apps and actions__

---

## Dashboard Key Features

Our newly designed Dashboard is a real homepage now, where you can take the actions you need as you log in.

### Quick create

The quick create menu is intended to allow users to quickly perform common actions. We've added the ability for app owners to tag their apps as __included in the quick create menu.__ This allows your app to appear in the quick create menu for all users who have permission to access it:

![quick create menu](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/29nHsRwR2x0vnfc6ZRkoiu/ec7c0bbea80602c4e9b8ebc4d7c10af3/quick_create_menu.png)

Apps that have webforms enabled will include a link to the webform that can be copied to your clipboard. The full list of apps and workspaces is still available in the sidebar.

### Omni-search bar

Often users are logging in to find information relevant to them. We've replaced the old user search functionality that sat in the sidebar with a new omni-search bar in the dashboard header. This search functionality allows you to search for pretty much anything on your PeopleGoal account: items, apps, teams and users.

![omni-search bar](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/4ljriQvMjSoqfBbroY9VsK/ff6de5bd3c77d407980217824f59b3f6/omni-search_bar.png)

### Profile snippets

What's important to users in your company is often not the same as another company. With profile snippets we've given you the ability to display certain fields from your profile templates on the user dashboard. For example, if you would like to display the user's role or date of last promotion, you can tag these fields from the user profile template and they will appear as below in the user dashboard.

![profile snippets](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/2zWnjEIGTlSoxpE43K9U1S/9c883049af2c1e65e3d081f1282b89e7/profile_snippets.png)

### Teams & Relationships

Your teams are listed below your profile snippets. This list is just the teams to which you belong - all teams are still available from the sidebar. Similarly, your default relationship (typically Manager) is shown below that, highlighting your counterpart users (e.g. manager / direct reports). This provides quick links to browse your colleagues' profiles.

![teams and relationships](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/7uklp9n4ZA4zxH11kviv4m/adee59c3cd3b76a49446256c0e0e99dc/teams_and_relationships.png)

### Company news

Sharing company news on your dashboard is a great way to inform users of important news or events. We've enhanced the Posts functionality to allow account owners to tag a given post as '*display on dashboard*'. This will allow the post to be seen on all users' dashboards as Company News. Posts still retain the ability to comment and render comments inline when expanding the post detail.

![company news](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/5jphPh6CDyarXfAcJIQvwC/f4bd154cfe8577a2e6df56979346b8b7/company_news.png)

### Your timeline

This feature allows you to showcase your journey at your company. It's a retrospective look at key events in your career. The timeline can be populated automatically:

- App owners can trigger rules to create timeline events in the app state rules builder.
- Account owners can update profile template date fields to enable these to auto-generate timeline events.

Users can update and maintain their own timelines too. For example, if you'd like to add more information to specific events you can double-click on the timeline event to provide that information.

![your timeline](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/63tMBbdKhVpuQCh08DhrbC/221d183b7d1f227b24ce2355ad00b43e/timeline.png)

### Your network

This is an activity feed containing activities linked to users in your network. This is presently driven by your relationships - manager/direct reports.

__We'd like your feedback here - it may make sense to include users from certain teams in this view__. 

![your network](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/3HrDsiHBodsiAgq0SX4hwO/11b89d7034874bee7179e1d2cb7f81df/your_network.png)

---

## Give us feedback

The new dashboard should provide a more welcoming and informative experience for users when they log into PeopleGoal v2. We'd love to hear your feedback on the new dashboard. As always, let us know what works and what could be improved. 

A quick overview of the new dashboard for PeopleGoal v2 including the new quick create menu, omni-search bar, company news, timelines and network activity feeds.

A quick overview of the new dashboard for PeopleGoal v2.

Feature release: New v2 Dashboard

PeopleGoal Dashboard

A quick overview of the new dashboard for PeopleGoal v2

Feature Release: New v2 Dashboard

The modern world has developed a society that expects [instant gratification](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/instant-gratification-in-the-workplace). All of a sudden, we have access to a whole host of treats and amenities that in years gone by could only have been obtained through hard work. From instantly streaming films and music to ordering takeaway food straight to your front door, the accessibility of goods and services has caused a drift away from routine experiences of [perseverance and hard work](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/work-hard-play-hard-what-about-work-smarter-play-better).

Whilst this modern way of living is comfortable, it detracts from the essence of life. Fulfillment and true happiness often result from this notion of getting the most from life. Committing to the completion of a task or [accomplishing a goal](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/how-to-write-your-career-goals) requires dedication and hard work.

Individuals that can commit themselves or that demonstrate a true desire to see something through to the end will receive a great sense of accomplishment and pride having reached their goal(s).

Just as Mahatma Gandhi stated: Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment.

![Mahatma Gandhi satisfaction hard work quote](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/2gaE6wSiMO2oE0gQon9HSK/9f79a4cc4d3803ec90e3e2edbfb0769e/Gandhi_satisfaction_quote.png)

If you find yourself struggling to get motivated to achieve your objectives, then take a look through PeopleGoal's Top 30 hard work quotes and you may just find some [inspiration](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/ideas-for-employee-recognition). Whether you're in need of that little boost to finally fix that leaky tap or the inspiration to finally go for that promotion you've been longing for, the following hard work quotes can provide you with that fuel to go forth and achieve greatness.

## Famous Hard Work Quotes

"Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work" - Stephen King

"We're here to put a dent in the Universe. Otherwise why else even be here?" - Steve Jobs

![Steve Jobs dent in the universe quote](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/3YoaXz2WHMdmzoG1cpnhOf/33ec901366610b8eab810c8bcb94aea4/Steve_Jobs_dent_in_the_universe_quote.png)

"I'm a great believer in luck; and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it" - Thomas Jefferson

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all" - Sam Ewing

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying and sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing and learning to do" - Pele

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure" - Colin Powell

"I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top but should get you pretty near" - Margaret Thatcher

"Men die of boredom, psychological conflict and disease. They do not die of hard work" - David Ogilvy

"Without labor, nothing prospers" - Sophocles

![Sophocles labor quote](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/1R7zY9bLZMH9t2iChhFmgD/ee9a25d8a03af2e91da12aaa366ee94d/Sophocles_labor_quote.png)

"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it" - Henry Ford

## Motivational Hard Work Quotes

"Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds" - Gordon Hinckley

"A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work" - Colin Powell

"No matter how hard you work, someone else is working harder" - Elon Musk

![Elon Musk hard work quote](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/3kTd5zUVfdIE4nEt7tMX8k/085340c21ed058da7f02d99ef9eb6a87/Elon_Musk_hard_work_quote.png)

"Work hard, have fun, make history" - Jeff Bezos

"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand" - Vince Lombardi

"Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs" - Henry Ford

"The three great essential to achieve anything worthwhile are: Hard work, stick-to-itiveness and common sense" - Thomas Edison

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard" - Tim Notke

![Tim Notke talent vs hard work quote](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/1ZUbRBNNpchZyKZumYK34y/8623ab610c46b2732371cc2b8e2bfc5f/Tim_Notke_talent_vs_hard_work_quote.png)

"Work harder than you think you did yesterday" - Alex Elle

"Winners embrace hard work. They love the discipline of it, the trade-off they're making to win. Losers, on the other hand, see it as punishment. And that's the difference" - Lou Holtz

"Luck is great, but most of life is hard work" - Iain Duncan Smith

"Work and you'll get what you need; work harder and you'll get what you want" - Prabakaran Thirumalai

"Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves" - Dale Carnegie

"Happiness is the real sense of fulfillment that comes from hard work" - Joseph Barbara

![Jospeh Barbara happiness in hard work quote](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/2XKjrDQc9eWOFZaXWhJXaM/23c3bc8fee01cb384aef50f81e5e54e3/Jospeh_Barbara_happiness_in_hard_work_quote.png)

"It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away the inessentials" - Bruce Lee

"If something is wrong, fix it now. But train yourself not to worry, worry fixes nothing" - Ernest Hemingway

"Think of many things; do one" - Portugese proverb

"There is no traffic jam along the extra mile" - Roger Staubach

![Roger Staubach extra mile hard work quote](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/6gI2o3tlUPHg2xFJgQDlN/b4d18ba4de26b1343ab348f01ed26d2b/Roger_Staubach_extra_mile_hard_work_quote.png)

"Talent means nothing, while experience, acquired in humility and with hard work, means everything" - Patrick Suskind

"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit" - Conrad Hilton

---

## Hard Work: A Formula for Success

> If you are willing to work hard and ask lots of questions, you can learn business pretty fast
 - Steve Jobs

Taking on the various messages from these quotes will better enable you to __recognize and appreciate the value of hard work__. We have collated these 30 wonderful hard work quotes so that you can take inspiration to go out and give your all. Whether you're in the office, at home or anywhere else, with these [words of encouragement](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/engagement-surveys-how-to-track-improvements-in-employee-engagement) we hope that you will be spurred on to make your mark.

It may be that you need to encourage an employee to commit more to a project or to their own work, whatever the case, feel free to take any of the hard work quotes in this article and [share these great messages](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/work-quotes-for-monday-morning). Promoting a positive and can-do attitude in work is just the ticket to rallying your team members as well as the next Michael Scott.

Our Top 30 hard work quotes have been compiled with the remote worker in mind. Endless days of a repetitive cycle in the home office take a toll on motivation. As such, we want to help inspire you with the belief that the graft will truly pay off.

From Thomas Jefferson to Steve Jobs, these hard work quotes will provide you or any colleague with a new source of inspiration to perform at your best level.

Top 30 Hard Work Quotes to Motivate Remote Workers

pg business 32

Seemingly endless lockdowns and the ongoing work from home routine will inevitably be taking a toll on team morale. Therefore, to lift spirits we have put together a list of the top 30 hard work quotes that you can share to motivate your team members.

## Top 30 Hard Work Quotes

#### Highlights:

- "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure" Colin Powell
- "Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying and sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing and learning to do" Pele
- "No matter how hard you work, someone else is working harder" Elon Musk
- "Work hard, have fun, make history" Jeff Bezos
- "The three great essential to achieve anything worthwhile are: Hard work, stick-to-itiveness and common sense" Thomas Edison


Soft skills are in high demand by employers as we navigate a rapidly changing work environment. As more of our technical work becomes automated [there is estimated to be a 24% rise in hours spent by workers on soft skills](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/the-organization-blog/are-hard-and-soft-skills-rewarded-equally), according to a McKinsey study.

When it comes to your job search, demonstrating soft skills in your cover letters and job interviews will set you apart from other candidates with similar education, experience and technical ability.

We'll explain what soft skills matter most and why, and include examples so you can learn how to list soft skills on your resume.

## What are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are your interpersonal skills - how you interact with people and relate to your colleagues. Soft skills also apply to your ways of working, like being organized, self-motivated and creative. Soft skills are sometimes referred to as transferable skills, i.e. skills that aren't job specific and that will serve you throughout your career.

Because soft skills are very often personality traits they are more difficult to quantify than hard skills - and even more difficult to train for. Candidates who already possess soft skills are valuable hires to employers as they're much more likely to succeed long-term, be able to fit in at work, and have the natural ability to adapt to change.

In research conducted by LinkedIn, [92% of human resource respondents said soft skills are more important than technical skill and 89% said that bad hires typically lack soft skills](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-2019-talent-trends-soft-skills-transparency-trust-bersin/).

![soft skills importance peoplegoal](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/5p08Ce8d32eSCilESdVyRQ/9e7384bc2be8a38c18a2fe07b670c536/soft_skills_importance_peoplegoal.png)

👉 *[Source: SHRM](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/humanity-into-hr/pages/covid-19-soft-skills-at-work.aspx#:~:text=Ninety%2Dseven%20percent%20of%20employers,to%20get%20along%20with%20others)*

---

## Why are Soft Skills Important in the Workplace?

Employees with strong soft skills aren't just able to do what their job requires, they're able to excel. People with soft skills are often emotionally intelligent and able to navigate their work environment with professionalism and flexibility to produce great results.

Just about every workplace requires you to collaborate with teammates, solve problems, communicate across functions and prioritize your tasks. Employers are looking for the candidates who are self-sufficient and resilient, as they're more likely to adapt to change, grow and develop with the organization. It's not only what you do that matters, it's how you do it.

---

💡 *When highlighting your soft skills in a job interview, make sure you give examples of how you used these skills. Don't just say that you're a great collaborator - talk about your latest project, what difficulties you faced, and how you worked together to achieve results.*

---

## Soft Skills Examples

These are the top five categories of soft skills that are crucial for success in the workplace. We've also given examples of each skill and how to describe them in your work experience.

![soft skills examples peoplegoal](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/3gjVe5ak2EeXugSlvUpdl5/61561f1bd166c12ae9129f2f90b55a35/soft_skills_examples_peoplegoal.png)

### 📝 Communication

[Communication skills](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/communication-skills) are consistently at the top of the list of soft skills businesses are looking for. Good written, verbal and visual communication is essential to deliver information quickly and accurately. Being able to share your message with clarity is vital. But non-verbal communication (body language, eye contact, tone of voice) is just as important to build understanding and solid work relationships, and poor communication skills lead to misunderstanding and confusion.

When describing your communication skills, be sure to include:

- __Written communication__: emails, proposals, policies, editing
- __Story telling__: presentation skills, influencing, language choice
- __Collaboration__: active listening, conflict management, negotiation, persuasion

### 💪 Teamwork

Regardless of your role, you need to be able to work well with others. Even if you're the only person in your department you'll still need to cooperate with other teams and work together towards the company strategy. [Showing respect for your peers and a willingness to help colleagues](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/positive-feedback-for-colleagues-examples-and-tips) will set you up as a reliable team player.

Teamwork skills include:

- __Social skills__: co-operation, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution
- __Attitude__: positivity, encouragement and support, humour, [ability to give feedback](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/employee-feedback)
- __Problem-solving__: delegation, listening, decisiveness 
- __Emotional intelligence__: empathy, integrity, awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion

### ⏳ Organization

Organizational skills might not sound as important as other soft skills, but they're vital to establish trust, reliability and professionalism. Being able to prioritize your workload effectively is one of the top requirements of any job and yes - time management is a soft skill. Individuals with strong organizational skills show that they are self-managed, [goal-oriented](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/smarter-goals-setting) and reliable. On a business level, having organized team members increase productivity and ensure operational efficiency.

Some examples of organizational skills are:

- __Time management__: ability to prioritize tasks, punctuality, preparedness
- __Professionalism__: reliability, attention to detail, respect
- __Work ethic__: self-reliant, goal-oriented, meets deadlines
- __Adaptability__: ability to manage high pressure and stress

### 🤔 Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate an issue. It's the ability to think clearly and rationally, fully understand problems and make informed decisions. Part of this involves curiosity and questioning, to understand the deeper causes and not take a stance based on emotional reactions. You can see why critical thinking is highly valued at work, as you use these skills in problem solving and designing innovative solutions.

Demonstrating your critical thinking skills can include:

- Self-awareness
- Problem solving
- Curiosity
- Analytical skills
- Research
- Resourcefulness
- Questioning the status quo
- Giving reasoned judgements

### 💡 Creativity

Creativity doesn't just refer to artistic ability; creativity as a skill is about design thinking and being open minded. Creative individuals are able to see problems in a new light and approach their work with a different mindset and attitude. Creativity is also extremely important to be able to adapt quickly to change, and pivot when it's required.

Creativity in your job role can be shown through:

- Design thinking
- Flexibility
- Open-mindedness
- Brainstorming
- Imagination
- Taking an experimental approach
- Being open to change

---

👉 *These are the top 5 types of soft skills for employees, but managers have additional responsibilities and requirements. [Check out our blog on the Essential Manager Skills for Workplace Success](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/essential-managers-skills-for-workplace-success).*

---

## What is the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

As we see with these examples, soft skills are your people skills and the way you approach your work. Hard skills are more concrete, measurable abilities that require training and expertise to learn. Hard skills are your technical capability and the knowledge in your field - like the programming languages you know as a developer. Hard skills are typically job-specific and set you up for a career path in your chosen industry. Depending on your role, the balance of hard skills and soft skills you need to succeed will be different - but both are essential.

![soft skills hard skills peoplegoal](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/1BsmpSpSD6lBn4rA1SylTm/1b91fd7ff63bd90647d7ba7cc827c865/soft_skills_hard_skills_peoplegoal.png)

---

## How to Develop Soft Skills

Soft skills, while difficult to teach, can be improved through experience and observation. Soft skills aren't just developed at work; you build your soft skills at school, through team sports, and in collaborating with others. So even if you've never worked before you should have some demonstrable soft skills to include on your resume, whether that's volunteering or academic experience.

In the workplace you can learn a lot of soft skills by paying attention to colleagues who excel at communication, teamwork, organization, critical thinking and creativity. Consider your own [skills gaps](https://www.peoplegoal.com/glossary/skills-gap) and try to emulate their ways of working. [Self-assessments and peer evaluations are excellent tools to highlight your blind spots and areas for improvement](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/employee-self-evaluation-sample-answers-for-key-soft-skills).

[Some learning and development programs do address soft skills training](https://learning.linkedin.com/content-library/online-business-courses/soft-skills) through team activities and practical tips, and they're typically offered at work. You can also build up your soft skills by taking on more responsibilities outside of your core job role like planning work events, joining committees and giving presentations.

---

Soft skills are essential to delivering your best work, and in most jobs they are becoming more sought-after than hard skills. By demonstrating these essential soft skills on your resume, with concrete examples of how you've used these skills, you'll be setting yourself apart from the other candidates for a new role, and [building your leadership skills into the future](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/skills-for-managing-people-in-2020).

Soft skills are sought-after by employers and are essential at work. These five types of soft skills with examples will set you apart from other candidates.

The Essential Soft Skills You Need on Your Resume

soft skills peoplegoal

Five types of soft skills you need to succeed at work and set yourself apart from the rest.

## Top 5 Types of Soft Skills

- Communication
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity


Frequent employee manager check ins are the cornerstone of [continuous performance management](https://www.peoplegoal.com/product/performance-management-software) and [positive employee experience](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/how-hr-software-creates-positive-employee-experience). Since the shift to [remote working](https://www.peoplegoal.com/resources/whitepapers/remote-work-guide-hr), many companies have had to implement a structured approach to check-ins to restore lost communication. However, as we begin to return to the office, it remains vital that managers and employees have __regular touchpoint meetings__ to discuss [performance goals](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/top-10-employee-performance-goal-examples-for-2020), [career goals](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/how-to-write-your-career-goals), progress and well-being. Regular check-ins __boost employee engagement and motivation__, drive growth and development and [improve retention](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/how-to-improve-employee-retention).

There are many different types of employee manager meetings, from weekly check ins to performance review check ins. You need to decide what __works best for your organization__ and what employees find useful and feel comfortable doing.

___👉 Check out: [One on One Meeting Templates to Make Your Life Easier](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/one-on-one-meeting-templates)___

## Check-ins and the continuous performance management model

In recent years, there has been a __major shift__ in the way we manage performance. With many [proclaiming the death of the annual performance review](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/annual-performance-review-dead-kate-mccormack/), the __continuous feedback model__ has taken its place - with regular check-ins between managers and their direct reports at the core.

The [Harvard Business Review](https://hbr.org/2016/10/the-performance-management-revolution) suggests that the annual review's biggest limitation is its emphasis on holding employees accountable for what they did in the past, at the expense of improving performance now and in the future.

According to [Gallup](https://www.gallup.com/workplace/249332/harm-good-truth-performance-reviews.aspx), when managers provide weekly (vs. annual) feedback, team members are __3.2x__ more likely to strongly agree that they are __motivated to do outstanding work__ and __2.7x__ more likely to be __engaged at work__.

What's more, [65% of employees want more feedback](https://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2016/08/08/65-of-employees-want-more-feedback-so-why-dont-they-get-it/?sh=2f099444914a), and having regular employee check-in meetings is the best way to satisfy this demand. 

___👉 Check out: [One on One Meeting Questions Format for Managers](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/one-on-one-meeting-questions-format)___

## Top tips for successful check-ins

1. __Prepare in advance:__ Clearly define an agenda or talking points before the meeting

2. __Keep it casual:__ Rather than grill employees on their performance, managers should have an honest discussion about the previous week/month/quarter and how the employee feels about their upcoming tasks.

3. __Be flexible:__ All team members should have the ability to request a check-in with either their manager or direct report.

4. __Follow up:__ 1/3 of managers don't follow up on action items from performance check-ins. Therefore, the conversation should be clearly documented and managers held accountable.

___ 👉  Find out more about this topic: [Check-ins Done Right: How to Get the Most Out of Check-Ins](https://www.peoplegoal.com/resources/webcasts/check-ins-done-right)___

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ytpE1mSO67A" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## Benefits of regular employee manager check-ins

![benefits of employee manager check ins](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/6ueWeiOx5HZ4jnUqmBKLYX/7f1917a2337a3a5d17c0d6e5df85637c/benefits_of_employee_manager_check_ins.png)

- Establish a clear channel of communication
- Solve small issues before they escalate
- Builds trust between managers and their direct reports
- Boost motivation through involvement and productivity
- Foster positive working relationships
- Continuous feedback improves performance

## How to run employee manager check-ins

### Step 1: Request check-in

First of all, click __'New Check-in'__ from the app homepage and select __'New Draft Check-in'__. Enter a short title for the item (this can be edited later), and then hit __'Select Participant'__ from the workflow menu to add your manager/direct report.

![employee manager check in participant selection](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/7uablaIBMf2zjITclfLefs/9b240d8a4644cfdc08d13c1c5025d993/employee_manager_check_in_participant_selection.png)

Next, you will need to fill in the Check-in Details. Select the type, add some talking points (no limit to how many you can add) and then suggest a date and time. When you have finished, click __'Create Check-in'__ to send a meeting request to the participant. 

![employee manager check-in details](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/24HKsG8hkPhiioTaE47IMC/e9126f68c12b0a4399f47d16b087f79f/employee_manager_check-in_details.png)

### Step 2: Confirm check-in

Next, the participant (either the manager or direct report) will receive a notification and email that someone has requested to have a check-in with them. They will be able to see the details, and confirm whether they accept or decline the meeting.

If they accept, both parties will receive a calendar invitation. If they decline, they will need to add some comments and suggest an alternative day/time. Then the form will be sent back to the check-in creator who will amend the form and resubmit.

![employee manager check in confirmation](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/1GnIrnG03RLJAgNhXOCrx4/3eb66e63d97ae2ace98376482a78db2a/employee_manager_check_in_confirmation.png)

### Step 3: Document check-in

Once the check-in has been confirmed, the next step is to have the one on one meeting. It is very important to document the discussion and any key action items that are agreed. It is the responsibility of whoever requested the check-in to fill out this form. 

In this example, we have three easy to follow steps: __1) Employee Information__, __2) Notes__ and __3) Action Items__ - but you can use whichever questions you like by editing the template. 

Firstly, you can link any relevant employee information to the check-in. This could include employee goals, [OKRs](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/how-to-set-and-track-okrs), [360° feedback](https://www.peoplegoal.com/blog/360-feedback) or any other performance information from your PeopleGoal account. The notes section is to write up any key discussion points, and finally any action items using the repeatable text input.

Click __'Save changes'__ to save your progress, and when you have finished and are ready to submit the form, click __'Submit to next state'__.

![employee manager check in template](//images.ctfassets.net/6g4s9n00xmsl/6bGtO1BD9mQOoJ2AXUDzz2/35cd8d64bfbaf70e0c7c5be2e7e4ebd1/employee_manager_check_in_template.png)

___NB: This form can be fully customized. See how account admins can edit app elements in PeopleGoal [here](https://www.peoplegoal.com/support/article/apps#edit).___

### Step 4: Check-in complete

Once the discussion notes have been submitted the process is complete. The details will be available to both the employee and the manager as a read-only document. A PDF copy can also be emailed to both participants.

---

## Next steps:

- Have a look at our article [How to Have an Employee Manager Check-In](https://www.peoplegoal.com/support/article/how-to-have-an-employee-manager-check-in) to gain a more in-depth understanding of how check-ins can work in PeopleGoal
- __Need help setting up employee manager check-ins__? [Book a demo](https://www.peoplegoal.com/book-a-demo) with one of our team today

Regular employee manager check-ins boost motivation, growth and retention. We show you how to set up a process that employees and managers will love.

Employee manager check-ins are regular meetings to discuss performance, development and wellbeing. Find out how to set up a flexible process in 4 simple steps.

How to Run Flexible Employee Manager Check-ins

flexible employee manager check ins header

From the blog

Top 30 Hard Work Quotes to Motivate Remote Workers

The Essential Soft Skills You Need on Your Resume

How to Run Flexible Employee Manager Check-ins

Topics

HR Management

Leadership

Employee Engagement

Company Culture

360 Feedback

PeopleGoal Updates

Performance Reviews

Performance Management

OKRs

SMART Goals

Remote Work

Product updates

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Subscribe to our newsletter

From the blog

Top 30 Hard Work Quotes to Motivate Remote Workers

The Essential Soft Skills You Need on Your Resume

How to Run Flexible Employee Manager Check-ins

Topics

HR Management

Leadership

Employee Engagement

Company Culture

360 Feedback

PeopleGoal Updates

Performance Reviews

Performance Management

OKRs

SMART Goals

Remote Work

Product updates

Ready to see PeopleGoal in action?Start your free trial today.

Company

Solutions

Features

Learn

Subscribe to our newsletter

Ready to see PeopleGoal in action?
Start your free trial today.