HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strengthening Your Soft Skills

by Harvard Business Review

To become a great leader, develop your soft skills. If you read nothing else on developing your soft skills and people skills, read these 10 articles. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you identify your social and emotional strengths and weaknesses, approach them with a growth and learning mindset, and become a more effective leader today. This book will inspire you HBR's 10 Must Reads paperback series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. HBR's 10 Must Reads series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself. Harvard Business Review has sorted through hundreds of articles and selected only the most essential reading on each topic. Each title includes timeless advice that will be relevant regardless of an ever‐changing business environment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Personal Development, Business

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2024

Reviews

[Mr. Reader Eric Mesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I am catching up on my Goodreads account, and I'm going off notes that I took at the time. This book was part of a boxed set that I purchased some time ago, and I read them all in very close proximity to each other. Having said that, I enjoyed everything that I remember from this book, and on reflection I feel both challenged and encouraged by the essays.

What I remember most is the point made that technology has blunted a lot of previously valued skills. I had learned this when in university I took an interest in common core mathematics and realized that the math that I had learned in my youth was focused more about applying steps, rather than understanding the theory behind it. I was a glorified calculator, and I had to work to become something more that technological advancements had rendered obsolete. So it is with our skills in the business world.

It seems more than ever that the business is evolving and revolutionizing, and the ever-changing face of commerce emphasizes the need for flexibility and the willingness to learn and hone skills in order to do well. That is the great message that I took from this book. Beyond that I don't remember a whole lot, so maybe it's time to give the book another peek. Highly recommended for everyone.

[Brendan Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strengthening Your Soft Skills by Harvard Business Review is a really useful read if you’re looking to improve your people skills at work. It covers important stuff like communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership, with practical tips that you can actually use. The book’s super straightforward, so it’s easy to follow and implement the advice. That said, some parts feel a little basic, and I wish there were more real-life examples to really bring things to life. But overall, it’s a great resource for anyone wanting to improve how they connect with others and succeed at work. Totally worth checking out!

[Varsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read articles that will get you thinking about practical ways to improve your interpersonal skills. Some really great questions to answer for yourself as you move along the interesting topics compiled in this intelligent read.

[Lilit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thought-starter and foundational direction about different soft skills that a leader (or basically anyone who interacts with others in the workplace) should attain. Most of the chapters were absolutely a good pick, others a bit more irrelevant for general.

[Talitha Poore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that gives you a lot to think about on ways to improve in the work place. Articles are short for the most part and easy to read and have practical ways to think about improving these skills.

[NATALIA Bookstorm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great articles about small steps which can do mowing forward in our career.