Soft skills, such as communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and empathy, are essential for building trust, fostering collaboration, and maintaining morale. According to Goleman’s (1998) Emotional Intelligence framework, self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills are pivotal to effective leadership. Leaders with strong emotional intelligence are better equipped to understand and address the needs of their teams, creating an inclusive and supportive environment.

MY SKILLS

Communication & Interpersonal

Active listening, Verbal communication, Conflict resolution, Negotiation, Public speaking, Written communication.

Emotional Intelligence Skills

Self-awareness, Empathy, Social awareness, Relationship management

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Creative thinking, Decision-making, Analytical thinking, Adaptability.

Leadership and Management Skills

Team building, Delegation, Motivation, Coaching and mentoring, Strategic thinking, Crisis management

Collaboration and Teamwork

Collaboration, Mediation, Flexibility, Trust building

Cultural and Social Awareness Skills

Diversity and inclusion awareness, Cross-cultural communication, Open-mindedness

Personal Development Skills

Resilience, Ambitious, Initiative, Willingness to learn, Self-motivation

Hard skills lend credibility to a leader's authority. Kotter (1996) explains in ‘Leading Change’ that successful leaders must demonstrate technical competence and a deep understanding of their industry to earn the respect and confidence of their teams and stakeholders. Skills such as strategic planning, financial management and technical expertise provide the practical tools leaders need to execute their vision. These skills allow leaders to make informed decisions, manage resources effectively, and ensure that projects stay on track.

MY SKILLS

Events Management

Event planning and scheduling

Vendor and supplier coordination

Budget management and financial reporting

Risk assessment and crisis management

Marketing and promotion (e.g., social media campaigns, graphic design tools like Canva)

Ticketing systems (e.g., Eventbrite, Ticketmaster)

Venue setup and logistics (e.g. layout design, AV setup)

Contract negotiation with performers, suppliers, and venues

Volunteer recruitment and management

Data analysis for event feedback and success measurement

Hospitality

Food and beverage service (e.g. plating, barista skills, mixology)

Front-of-house operations (e.g. reservations, POS systems)

Back-of-house management (e.g. inventory control, HACCP compliance)

Event catering and menu planning

Food hygiene and safety regulations (e.g. COSHH, allergen awareness)

Staff scheduling

Budgeting and cost control

Hospitality software proficiency (e.g., ResDiary, OpenTable)

Complaint handling and resolution

Housekeeping management and quality control

University-Related Skills

Academic writing and referencing (e.g., Harvard, APA styles)

Research and data analysis (e.g. qualitative and quantitative methods)

Presentation and public speaking

Time management and project organisation

Collaborative tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Google Workspace)

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Report writing and proposal drafting

Networking and professional relationship building

IT proficiency (e.g. Microsoft Office, outlook, website building)

Cross-Applicable Skills

Customer relationship management

Multitasking and prioritisation under pressure

Understanding legal and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, health and safety)

Financial literacy and cash handling