Erin Shaw

Host Amy Lasack talks with Erin Shaw, Strategic Planning Manager at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) about soft skills and their critical role in organizations. Erin shares her preference for the term "real skills" in lieu of soft skills because they are actually difficult skills for individuals to master and apply to workplace environments. While employers might be hiring individuals for their technical skills, for what they're able to do on the job, they are also hoping that prospective employees play nice with others, work as a team and communicate well. Erin's "real skills" also involve stepping outside of our comfort zone and being able to manage uncertainty.Amy points out that soft skills are also critical for leaders to have opportunities to model what they're looking for, to act with empathy and be willing to admit mistakes; to be vulnerable in a situation with their employees.Erin holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri and has held several senior academic leadership roles at multiple community colleges. Resources:Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts, Brené Brown“Field Notes,” Admired Leadership“Let’s stop calling them ‘soft skills,’” Seth Godin, MediumThe Promises of Giants, John Amaechi