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Soft-Skills Training WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

Define Soft Skills Who, What, When, Where and Why Obstacles Soft-Skills Agenda 4 How to Start

Wiki Defines Wiki Basic Definition A sociological term relating to a person's "EQ" (Emotional Intelligence Quotient), the cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills complement hard skills. Also know as behavioral competencies, interpersonal skills or people skills.

Wiki Definition continued Legal Reference It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may be more important over the long term than occupational skills. The legal profession is one example where the ability to deal with people effectively and politely, more than their mere occupational skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer. (Giuseppe Giusti, Soft Skills for Lawyers) IT Reference Increasingly, over the last two decades, it has been recognized that when IT Professionals acquire soft skills, better relationships are built between IT and the other business units within the enterprise, fostering alignment. A key element of IT Professionals building these relationships is their ability to communicate, it has been suggested that communication is a measurable and improvable type of intelligence, "CQ" (Communication Quotient). (Robert Service, CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals) Legal Reference It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may be more important over the long term than occupational skills. The legal profession is one example where the ability to deal with people effectively and politely, more than their mere occupational skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer. (Giuseppe Giusti, Soft Skills for Lawyers) IT Reference Increasingly, over the last two decades, it has been recognized that when IT Professionals acquire soft skills, better relationships are built between IT and the other business units within the enterprise, fostering alignment. A key element of IT Professionals building these relationships is their ability to communicate, it has been suggested that communication is a measurable and improvable type of intelligence, "CQ" (Communication Quotient). (Robert Service, CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals)

Sample Exercise Back-2-Back Drawing – Round 1 – Experience receiving direction without non-verbal cues. – Communication – Collaboration Back-2-Back Drawing – Round 2 – Person is allowed to ask yes/no question How does your drawing look?

Other Potential Drawings:

Back-2-Back Drawing Debrief – What was it like to give directions? – What was it like to receive directions without being allowed to ask questions? – Why do you think the pictures in the room are so different? – Do you think the people receive or perceive the same instructions the same? – What’s stopping you from asking questions? – Do you know your teammates well enough to communication effectively?

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY can benefit?types are effective? is an effective time to offer? are valuable resources? offer these courses? Soft-Skills Training HOW to incorporate some soft skills training at your firm?

WHO can benefit? Staff Assistants Paralegals Attorneys Clients YOU EVERYONE

WHAT types are effective? Seminars/Workshops – Practice Groups – Client Teams – General Group Session Online Informal Meetings Retreats

WHEN is an effective time to offer? Relevant Consistent Part of Overall Firm Goals and Objectives

WHERE are good resources? Firm Personnel Local Companies Customized Courses Online Courses/Videos Books Web ILTA !!! See Resource document for additional information on the above resources.

WHY offer these courses? Employee – Provide an environment that fosters growth (personally and professionally) – Best Employees want to get better and weaker need opportunities to get better. Supervisors/Managers – Increased job satisfaction and morale – Reduced turnover – Increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods Firm – Increased efficiencies in processes, resulting in financial gain. – Enhanced company image – Increase the goal of achieving company goals and objectives

Who to start with? What should we start with? Where am I going to find time? When is best time? WHY Now we understand WHY this never seems to happen! HOW to get started?

Obstacles No centralized training department Core competencies have not been clearly defined Absence of leadership and direction has results in lack of focus and continuity Lack of time and resources “Developing Effective Client Service Teams: A Whole New Approach” Peer to Peer Magazine, Professional Development Issue, August 2005 by Theresa Lundquist, Perfect Access Speer

Overcoming Obstacles Collaboration Focus on Collaboration Utilize the expertise of the various people within the firm Draft an outline and get the approval of management Collaboration Focus on Collaboration Move toward training and education that is Strategic

Collaboration Human Resources Assistants Staff Info. Technology Litigation Support Legal Support Services Attorneys Paralegals Practice Group Management Assessment Library Resources Project Management Word Processing Change Management Team Building Time Management Critical Thinking

How do we Do this?...but...

HOW to put together a Soft Skills program Six month plan Collaboration Main focus on Collaboration Strategic Training that is Strategic

Resources Guide upload with PowerPoint

Firm training HOW? General Intranet WHAT type? Tips Videos Change Management Group Meeting Online Course WHEN best time? Weekly Monthly Dale Carnegie WHERE resources? 5 th month Local EAP (Employee Assisted Program) Velsoft Online Training

Staff training HOW? Team Building WHAT type? Small Seminars with various groups Accounting, Business Development, Human Resources, IS Department WHEN best time? 1 st Month One group per month Velsoft Mind Tool Exercises WHERE resources? Members from previous group help with next group.

Assistant training Book Review WHAT type? Who Moved My Cheese Team Building Online Course WHEN best time? 2 nd Month Group Discussion Wiki (Remote Offices) WHERE resources? 4 th month HOW? Choose several people to help with next session. Velsoft Mind Tool Exercises

Attorney training Public Speaking WHAT type? Toast Masters Team Building Exercise Online Course WHEN best time? Based on Interest (New Associates) Toast Masters WHERE resources? 3 rd Month Practice Groups HOW? Mind Tool Exercises (Request 15 minutes) Velsoft Depending on interest ask an attorney to speak on future topics.

Future look at potential programs HOW? Associate Boot Camp Attorney Mentoring Program – Communication Skills – Listening – Time Management Assistant Mentoring/Team Program Certificate Program for Staff Training

Individual Sessions Our focus has been on the attorneys HOW? Associate Boot Camp – Organization – Time Management – Working with Your Assistant (Courtesy, Respect, Communication, Team Building) Attorney Mentoring Program – Communication Skills – Listening – Time Management – Commercials - Movies – Seven Steps to Getting a “Date”

Individual Sessions Our focus has been on the attorneys HOW? Various Attorney Lead Presentations – Generation: Can’t We All Just Get Along – One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey – Lessons from an Irate In-House Counsel – Fixed Fees: Historical look at Law Firms – Commercials - Movies – Seven Steps to Getting a “Date” – Social Media Sessions

Under Our Umbrella Get Started! Keep an Eye on the Future… Don’t make it Hard! Build Team Work!!

Thanks! GO!