Education is a continuous process which aims to prepare a person to play his role as an enlightened member of the society. In other words, it means all round development of the personality of a person, writes Alka Gupta, Managing Director, British Academy for English Learning
Personality as a whole is the sum total of traits a human is entitled to have- both inner and outer. It is the sole entity, that is unique in every person. It constitutes of body language, intuitive intellect, confidence- all the focal points that serve as a differentiator between individuals. This use of personality is instrumental to success in life.
The inner traits are that which we have inculcated as we go through various stages of life. Things such as confidence, intuitive development are what form the base of our personality. To add a different dimension to the inner core, we need an external reinforce, that comes out through our appearance, body language, diction. Together, both form an indestructible team for a personality worth recognition.
Our personalities are also influenced by the overall development of the thinking, perception, attitude, nature, mood, behaviour and activities that work on an individualistic nature. It is a tool to bring out one’s innate abilities for self-recognition and instil confidence to face the outside world.
We, as humans, have various roles to play in various avenues of life. We wear masks, a different one at our workplace, a different one with friends and a completely different one at home. While interchanging between all these facades in a systematic manner, we forget our inner-self and feel disillusioned in the process. This causes us to be the key to a constant rise in depression and suicidal tendencies. Personality development programmes help us find our inner-self and to maintain that fragile sanity that we are running short of. In this era of over sharing and in constant connectivity with the outside world, we take inner peace for granted, which these programs help channel back.
In the tryst of polishing technical skills, soft skills get skewed. To achieve success in life, one needs to balance the technical with the cognitive side. Yet, in this competitive era with multiple people vying up for the same job, it becomes difficult to distinguish oneself from the crowd. Hence, soft skills aid in getting an edge over competitors. Out of all the soft skills necessary, personality development is one such skillset that would definitely empower professionals in the long run.
How can I use soft skills to land a job?
A candidate’s resume may give interviewers an overview of his/ her background and skills, but the selection is largely based on interpersonal skills to get acute insight on the candidates thought process. While qualifications are important, the ability to adjust to company culture is crucial. A well-adjusted candidate is a sign of optimal productivity. The best way to assess this is to get a sense of personality. Thus, the more personable the candidate is, the better is his/her chances of being selected for the job
Body language sells
Body language is the first thing that can set the base in an interviewer’s mind. The way candidates carry themselves off is a dead giveaway on how seriously they take life. The candidate should be able to provide answers which he/she believes in and goes in accordance with his thought process. Too slouchy an appearance can signify lack of semblance while too terse may be a sign for rigidity. Etiquette matters a lot. They are an insight into how the candidate is, as a person, and how he/she treats fellow humans. Misnomer or any ulterior thoughts in mind can be detected easily through body language and etiquette, creating mistrust in the mind of the interviewer and may cost the candidate to lose out.
Connections count
The other key is to connect with an interviewer, for which again, you need interpersonal skills. Personality development increases your intuitive skills, helping you gauge the right thing to say at the right time. The candidate’s physical appearance apart from the ability to handle him/her during the interview will create a persona in the interviewer’s mind and be the focal factor in the decision-making process.
It is important to realize that the essence of personality development lies in its ability to sharpen skills dealing with interaction- both verbal and physical. Hence, highlighting the importance of interpersonal interactions, so much so that leading organizations spend a considerable amount of their team development budget on interpersonal skill development classes. It is a gateway to renown organizations, helping candidates get an added leverage to their already developed skillset. The added benefit of boosted confidence will always be an asset to add to one’s kitty.
Taking all of the above into consideration, personality can be found instrumental in helping us achieve success.
