Personal development skills can be soft or technical skills. These are qualities and abilities that can help you grow both personally and professionally.
In other words, personal development skills are known as skills that help one nurture their personal and career development and possess the ability to help in maximising their potential. These skills can include; communication, interpersonal, problem solving skills, self confidence among others.
Prince Aime Lionel Murara, the deputy national coordinator in charge of operations and partnership in Education for Nations and Humanitarian Africa (ENHA) believes that when discussing personal development, it’s ideal to understand that this is an ongoing act of assessing your life goals and values and building your skills and qualities to reach your potential.
In fact, he notes that these skills can contribute to one’s maturity, success and satisfaction.
He points out that studies have proven that many strengthen their personal development skills throughout their lives to better themselves and reach their goals. And that this can be done through education, advice from a mentor, self-help and more.
"Personal development skills are important because they allow you to create strategic and tactical plans for personal and professional growth towards your goals. It can be helpful to hone personal development skills so that you can naturally work them into your daily routines and use them in achieving personal and career goals,” he says.
Francis Mwangi, a lecture of human resource management at Mount Kenya says, while personal development skills can benefit all parts of your life, these particular practices may be useful in the workplace too, which can aid one in advancing their career.
To achieve this, he says one can start by organising their time, work and materials as well as planning out tasks for easier completion.
Besides, he goes on to note that it’s as well essential to know what projects or activities to prioritise if you are handling more than one, depending on what one does.
"If one is well-organised, they may be better able to meet their deadlines and collaborate effectively with others or their team,” he says.
Mwangi also cites that working through challenging situations is also important when it comes to developing your personal development skills.
He notes that here, when dealing with a problem, it’s essential to first assess your options and determine the best solution. Be also in a position to know when to ask for advice or do research on different scenarios, adding that people who can think critically and work through complex problems are more likely to make good decisions both in life and work.
Jean Paul Bukaba, a human resource manager based in Kigali says when it comes to building your personal development skills, it’s fundamental to start by believing in yourself.
He says that if one has confidence in their decisions, others may be more likely to believe in them as well. He says the positive energy can help motivate and instil confidence in those around you.
Also, he says that there is need for one to always adapt to change, by being flexible so that you can deal with changes in work and life easily.
"People who are adaptable can work well both alone and in a team, manage multiple projects, work under a variety of conditions, accept new ideas and more. Being able to respond well to change can also make these situations less stressful for everyone involved,” he says.
How to improve your personal development skills
From different studies and research, it has been established that one can enhance their personal development skills by taking classes, learning from the people around you, gaining new talents and improving upon existing ones.
The first step is believed to be overcoming your fears. Fear can prevent you from growing and progressing. If you are afraid of public speaking, for instance, take a class or join a group that helps people become better public speakers.
Alternatively, if one is afraid of taking risks, there is a need to find a mentor who can help you make good decisions and build your confidence. Grow and learn by trying things you might not be comfortable doing.
In addition to this, one should as well adapt the culture of reading. Reading is believed to expand your knowledge and vocabulary and keep you informed. It can also stimulate your mind and can improve your critical thinking skills.
Again, trying out or learning something new is important, whether you do it yourself or sign up for a class. You might, for instance, take courses to learn another language, a new software program or how to write creatively.
Consider as well watching a webinar on professional development topics such as entrepreneurship or social media marketing.