Habits for Higher Ed
Soft Skills for Higher ED and The 7 Habits Influence
In today’s world, acquiring essential knowledge and skills determines whether or not our teens will be able to achieve their future dreams. Without the necessary education to support them, our youth will face cruel and lasting realities: chronic unemployment, diminished health care, increased crime and poverty. To avoid these dire outcomes, we must provide the education and personal experience that builds a foundation that prepares each graduate for a lifetime quest to reach excellence and fulfillment.
In order for teens to be successful in their quest for higher education, whether it is college, a career, or technical education (CCTE), they must master not just the hard skills of academics, but the soft skills as well. “Soft skills” refer to a cluster of personal qualities, HABITS, attitudes and social graces that make someone a successful learner and eventually a valuable employee that is compatible with others. Employers value soft skills because research now suggests and experience shows that they are equal to if not a more important indicator of job performance as hard skills.
“Research shows that only 15% of one’s success is determined by hard skills (technical skills, your degree), while the remaining 85% of your success depends on soft skills.” (UNC-Charlotte)
Today’s service economy and the ascendance of work teams in all organizations, large and small, puts a new premium on people soft skills and relationship-building. With business being done at an increasingly fast pace, employers want people who are agile, adaptable and creative at solving complex problems.
Soft Skills for Higher Ed Success
Mt.View H.S. Habit #2 Begin with the End in Mind
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Influence
#1 Be Proactive: (Strong Work Ethic, Positive Attitude, Self Confidence, Time Management Skills)
Being proactive is the key to unlocking all the other habits. Help your teen take control of their life. Personal responsibility and accountability is about each of us holding ourselves accountable for our own thinking and behaviors and the results they produce. Therefore, proactive teens understand that they are responsible for their own happiness or unhappiness. Unlike proactive people, reactive people constantly look for someone else to blame for the situation they may find themselves in. Mastering this essential first habit helps develop a positive and proactive confident teen.
#2 Begin with the End in Mind: (Time Management, Strong Work Ethic, Working Well Under Pressure)
If teens aren't clear about where they want to end up in life, about their values, goals, and what they stand for, they will wander, waste time, and be tossed to and fro by the opinions of others. Help your teen create a personal mission statement which will act as a road map and direct and guide their decision-making process. Control your own destiny or someone else will.
#3 Put First Things First: (Time Management, Strong Work Ethic, Working Well Under Pressure)
This habit helps teens prioritize and manage their time so that they focus on and complete the most important things in their lives. Putting first things first also means learning to overcome fears and being strong during difficult times. It's living life according to what matters most which helps teens develop Will & Won’t power!
#4 Think Win-Win: (Good Communication Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Team Player, Negotiating Skills)
Teens can learn to foster the belief that it is possible to create an atmosphere of win-win in every relationship. This habit encourages the idea that in any given discussion or situation both parties can arrive at a mutually beneficial solution. Your teen will learn to celebrate the accomplishments of others instead of being threatened by them. It doesn’t have to be a win-lose or lose-win. Win-win helps propel both worlds forward.
#5 Seek First to Understand Before You Seek to be Understood: (Good Communication Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Team Player, Accept and Learn from Criticism, Networking, Negotiating Skills, Flexible/Adaptable)
Because most people (teens and parents) don't listen very well, one of the great frustrations in life is that many don't feel understood. This habit will ensure your teen learns the most important communication skill there is: active listening. Since 93% of all communication is non-verbal, just 7% being actual words, developing the skills to interpret others tone and body language is essential to navigate through life. Become a People Whisperer!
#6 Synergize: (Positive / Professional Attitude & Etiquette, Good communication Skills, Networking, Problem Solving Skills, Team Player, Accept and Learn from Criticism, Flexible/Adaptable)
Synergy is achieved when two or more people work together to create something better than either could accomplish alone. Through this habit, teens learn it doesn't have to be "your way" or "my way" but rather a better way, a higher way. Synergy allows teens to value differences and better appreciate others.
#7 Sharpen the Saw: (Positive Attitude, Time Management, Self-Confidence, Networking)
Teens should never get too busy living to take time to renew themselves. When a teen "sharpens the saw" they learn to keep their personal lives in balance and themselves sharp so that she can better deal with life. It means regularly renewing and strengthening the four key dimensions of their young life – body, brain, heart, and soul.