So-called “soft skills” are critical for the workplace. Here’s how to improve them.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of empowering individuals on the autism spectrum to achieve meaningful employment. While technical skills are crucial, social skills—aka “soft skills”—play a vital role in navigating the complexities of the workplace. Why are these soft skills so critical for adults to develop? In this article, we present reasons and strategies for improving social skills for the workplace.
Building self-confidence and self-advocacy
Social skills training fosters self-confidence and self-advocacy among autistic young adults. Many individuals on the autism spectrum struggle with self-esteem and assertiveness, which can hinder their ability to express their ideas, needs, and concerns in a professional setting. Through social skills training, they learn effective communication techniques, such as active listening, having two-way conversations, and using appropriate body language. Coaching can empower them to articulate their thoughts, assert their needs, and advocate for themselves, ultimately increasing their chances of being heard and understood by potential employers.
Developing interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills are essential in building and maintaining professional relationships, collaborating with colleagues, and resolving conflicts. Social skills training programs focus on teaching autistic young adults the nuances of social interaction, including understanding nonverbal cues, interpreting others' emotions, and practicing empathy. By acquiring these skills, individuals with autism can better navigate social dynamics in the workplace, foster positive working relationships, and contribute to a harmonious and productive work environment. Furthermore, the ability to work well with others enhances their prospects for long-term career growth and advancement.
Navigating job interviews and networking
Job interviews and networking events can be particularly challenging for individuals with autism due to unfamiliar social expectations and high-stress situations. Social skills training equips them with the tools to handle these situations effectively. Training programs often include mock interviews and role-playing exercises, allowing individuals to practice and refine their interview skills. This enables them to present themselves confidently, articulate their strengths and qualifications, and highlight their unique contributions. Additionally, social skills training helps autistic young adults understand the importance of networking and provides guidance on how to initiate and maintain professional connections, expanding their employment opportunities.
Coping with workplace challenges
Sensory sensitivities, routine disruptions, and changes in tasks or expectations can be very disruptive and challenging for autistic or ADHD individuals at work. Social skills training addresses these challenges by incorporating strategies to manage stress, develop coping mechanisms, and adapt to new environments. By equipping autistic young adults with these skills, they can better handle workplace stressors, communicate their needs effectively, and advocate for necessary accommodations. Consequently, they are more likely to experience job satisfaction and longevity in their chosen careers.
Skills for neurodivergent young people to develop specific to employment
Soft skills is a broad, catch-all term that encompasses many specific skill sets. Here are several key skills to develop and improve to improve employment success and satisfaction.
Effective Communication: Developing clear and concise verbal and written communication skills allows neurodivergent and autistic individuals to express their ideas, thoughts, and concerns effectively in the workplace.
Active Listening: Enhancing active listening skills helps in understanding instructions, collaborating with colleagues, and building strong professional relationships.
Social Interaction: Learning social cues, nonverbal communication, and appropriate social behavior enables neurodivergent individuals to navigate social interactions and build positive relationships with coworkers and superiors.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Cultivating flexibility and adaptability skills allows autistic and ADHD individuals to adjust to changes in work environments, tasks, and routines, demonstrating their ability to be versatile and open to new experiences.
Problem-Solving: Developing problem-solving skills helps neurodivergent individuals to analyze challenges, identify solutions, and contribute innovative ideas to improve processes and productivity in the workplace.
Time Management: Acquiring time management skills assists individuals in effectively organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and meeting deadlines, demonstrating reliability and efficiency.
Attention to Detail: Utilizing strong attention to detail enables people to excel in tasks that require precision, accuracy, and thoroughness, such as data analysis, quality control, and research.
Self-Advocacy: Building self-advocacy skills empowers individuals to communicate their needs, request accommodations when necessary, and assertively express their strengths and contributions to employers and colleagues.
Emotional Regulation: Developing strategies for emotional regulation supports autistic individuals in managing stress, frustration, and anxiety in the workplace, fostering a positive work environment and improving overall well-being.
Critical Thinking: Enhancing critical thinking skills allows neurodivergent individuals to analyze situations, evaluate information, and make informed decisions, contributing to problem-solving and effective decision-making processes.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Cultivating teamwork and collaboration skills enables people to work effectively in groups, contribute to team goals, and demonstrate cooperation, respect, and empathy towards colleagues.
Self-Management: Acquiring self-management skills, including organizational abilities, task prioritization, and self-discipline, enables autistic individuals to work independently, demonstrating reliability and a strong work ethic.
Conflict Resolution: Learning conflict resolution skills equips neurodivergent individuals to navigate workplace conflicts, express concerns assertively, and seek collaborative resolutions, fostering a harmonious work environment.
Networking: Building networking skills allows autistic individuals to expand professional connections, seek mentorship opportunities, and access potential job leads and career advancement opportunities.
Continuous Learning: Embracing a mindset of continuous learning and personal development helps neurodivergent individuals stay updated with industry trends, acquire new skills, and demonstrate a commitment to professional growth, increasing employability and adaptability.
Note: It's important to remember that the specific skills that are strong or weak in any individual will be unique to that person. These skills should be viewed as general areas of focus that can contribute to improving employment prospects for neurodivergent and autistic individuals, not as an exhaustive list.
Proven effective “soft skills” coaching
IRL Social Skills helps individuals who struggle to relate, connect, understand and communicate effectively with other to develop skills such as those mentioned in this article. These skills translate to every social interaction and environment across the board—at work, at home, with friends and intimate parters.
Our final class offerings for Young Adults and Adults for 2023 start on Thursday, August 10th. Class sizes are limited; to save your spot in our 16-week program, click the link below.
To learn how IRL Social Skills can help improve your relationships and communication at work and in social interactions, schedule a call with one of our enrollment specialists.