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It’s Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, and in this week’s roundup, learn in 5 minutes or less:

• Career Advice: The Power of Soft Skills: Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership

• Weekly Round-up: UK Treasury Reconsiders Non-Domicile Tax Reform. How pen and paper came to the rescue in an IT crisis. After a summer of protests in some of Europe's most popular travel destinations, what might your summer holiday look like in 2025 – and beyond?

CAREER ADVICE

The Power of Soft Skills: Communication, Collaboration, and Leadership

This week, I want to talk about three core skills that, when mastered, can help you excel in any role, no matter what industry you’re in. Today’s work environment is very competitive, and success is often equated with technical expertise, advanced degrees, and the ability to churn out results. But there is another factor that is often overlooked but can propel your career to new heights: soft skills.

From my journey, I can tell you that while technical abilities got me in the door, soft skills really set me apart.

Communication: Your Bridge to Opportunity

Early in my career, I assumed that doing great work would speak for itself. What I quickly learned, however, was that being effective at communicating that work—whether in meetings, emails, or presentations—was just as important. Clear, concise, and confident communication builds credibility. It allows you to influence others and ensures that your contributions are recognized.

As a Finance Manager, I often have to explain complex financial data to people who don’t live and breathe numbers. The ability to translate technical jargon into something digestible is crucial. But beyond that, active listening—taking the time to understand your colleagues' perspectives—has been one of the most powerful tools in my communication toolbox. Mastering both speaking and listening is key to effective communication in any workplace. One of the best compliments I've received is that I excel at humanizing data so others can understand.

Collaboration: The Superpower of Teamwork

Collaboration doesn’t always come naturally, especially when you're used to working independently. But no matter your skill or talent, you’re not operating in a vacuum. Most work environments are built on teamwork, and your ability to collaborate with others will directly impact your career progression.

When I led a project to implement an IT Finance Management Application and Governance, it was clear from the start that the project’s success depended on strong collaboration across departments. IT and finance both had different priorities, and getting everyone on the same page required patience, negotiation, and teamwork. By fostering collaboration, we achieved more than we could have as individuals. Each team member brought unique insights, and the project was stronger because of it.

Leadership: Influence Beyond Title

Leadership is often misunderstood as a role that requires a title. However, leadership is more about influence than authority. Early in my career, I didn’t have a managerial title, but I realized that I could still be a leader by guiding projects, mentoring colleagues, and taking initiative.

In fact, one of the most defining moments of my career came not when I was promoted to a leadership position but when I started to act like a leader long before that. Taking ownership of tasks, volunteering for challenging projects, and helping others succeed were all ways I showcased leadership skills. Leadership is about motivating and inspiring people toward a shared goal, and you can do that at any level in an organization.

Final Thoughts: Elevating Your Career Through Soft Skills

Technical expertise will always be a necessary foundation in your career, but it’s soft skills that will elevate you from being just a good employee to a great one. Communication, collaboration, and leadership are skills that will make you more adaptable, resilient, and valuable to any organization.

From personal experience, developing these soft skills has been as critical to my success as any technical knowledge. By focusing on them, you can set yourself apart, gain greater visibility, and open up new opportunities for advancement.

At the end of the day, your soft skills are what will help you build strong relationships, lead effectively, and succeed in today’s ever-evolving workplace.

Thanks for reading,

Anokye, Co-Founder of The Careerguard

SUNDAY MOTIVATION

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Weekly Round-Up

Business: The Treasury is re-evaluating parts of Labour’s proposed changes to non-domicile tax status, amid concerns that the reforms could generate less revenue than expected. The plan, designed to raise funds for public services like the NHS, may prompt wealthy foreigners to leave the UK, reducing potential tax income. The "non-dom" status allows UK residents to declare their permanent home for tax purposes outside the UK. Read more here

Innovation: This week, a senior executive from CrowdStrike apologized to a U.S. congressional committee for the disruption caused by a software bug, admitting that many organizations had to briefly rely on manual processes. The bug, which impacted 8.5 million computers globally, affected banks, telecoms, healthcare services, and air travelers, leading to unexpected delays and manual check-ins. In an era of digital dependency, pen and paper once again came to the rescue during this IT crisis, reminding us of the importance of backup methods when technology fails. Read more here

Travel: After a summer of protests in Europe’s top travel destinations, the future of tourism may face significant changes. While travel surged in 2024, not all locals welcomed the influx of tourists. In the Canary Islands, tens of thousands protested against the negative effects of mass tourism, and similar rallies occurred across Europe. In Barcelona, locals used water pistols on tourists, while in Mallorca, residents staged protests on overcrowded beaches. New regulations, such as selfie restrictions, visitor fees, and fines for inappropriate attire, have also been introduced. Even winter destinations like Lapland saw protests over the impact of mass tourism. As summer winds down, it’s clear that the tension between tourism and local communities continues to grow. What will travel look like in 2025? Read more here

MEMES & BANTER

BEST FROM TIKTOK THIS WEEK

@soambitiousdomm

September surge 2024. More jobs will go live soon. #careeradvice #careertiktok #corporatelife #septembersurge #septembersurge2024

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