A Blog for Everyone! Let’s Talk Soft Skills…
And why they are more important than ever!
In this post-pandemic world, we have found ourselves thrust even further into technology. Some of this is a positive, like the convenience of doing taped auditions (which has become the film industry standard), but reliance on technology also has its drawbacks, like our lack of comfort with daily tasks- such as having face-to-face conversations.
Even basic skills have become a source of anxiety. We see this in studies that show 60% of millennials struggle to make phone calls, like setting up a doctor’s appointment. Or that 70% of American workers feel fear about speaking up at a business meeting even when they have valuable insight. This hits hardest for the generation that finds itself newly joining the workforce: Generation Z.
“A new General Assembly survey found that over a quarter of executives wouldn’t even consider hiring a recent college graduate today…surveyed managers feel the most significant shortcoming for Gen-Z workers is a lack of critical interpersonal skills, often referred to as ‘soft skills.’” –Forbes
Luckily it’s The Actor’s Scene to the rescue! We realize that not only is Gen-Z struggling with “soft skills”, but generations older than them were affected as well. That’s why this fall we are introducing the Offline Communications class for ages 9 and up.
What do employers look for in new employees? According to business leaders, while the three "R's" (reading, writing, and arithmetic) are still fundamental to every employee's ability to do the job, employers view "soft" skills as even more important to work readiness. These skills include:
Professionalism and work ethic
Oral and written communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration skills
Critical thinking or problem-solving skills
WAIT… What are “soft skills”? And how is a school for acting going to help with that?
Let’s start with soft skills. Soft skills are key non-technical abilities like communication, teamwork/collaboration, and conflict-resolution. These are skills that are crucial for enhancing workplace relationships, school relationships, and even improving your personal relationships.
Yes, school and work are important- the majority of your waking moments will be spent on these activities! But even more important are the relationships and community you build that will shape your world. Simply put, the ability to connect with those around you- both professionally and personally- will determine your quality of life.
Okay, so how is an acting school going to help with that?
Of course The Actor’s Scene is known for successfully teaching on camera acting skills (as well as our more recent additions of film production and theatre classes) but more importantly it specializes in confidence. Every single class at TAS is founded on building up its students’ confidence both on camera and in life- and that especially includes the upcoming Offline Communications class.
Just check out the feedback we received from our acting students and and their parents this past year!
This is why we are known as Confidence Makers:
However, the Offline Communications class is one of a kind. In it, students will practice trust and opening up to each other while learning techniques that will help them with their soft skills. This class is a combination of:
- Self-discovery
- Open discussion
- Video lessons from communication professionals
- Coach-lead lessons
- And communication technique learning games.
All with the intent of working on different soft skills.
What does the class work on?
In session one students will start with work on face to face communication. This includes a focus on skills like eye contact, vocal quality, and active listening. It is so important for all of us to get back to face to face communication. In fact, listen to what the Professional Leadership Institute says about eye contact:
“Being comfortable meeting the eye of the person you are speaking with can help build trust. It can show that you are confident in what you’re saying which may gain you respect. Eye contact is also a way to confirm that your audience is receiving and understanding your message.”
The Offline Communications class will help with just that: your confidence when communicating face to face! Our small class sizes and hands-on approach to learning means that students will get plenty of time to engage with one another while receiving personalized feedback by a professional coach.
Students then learn skills in collaboration and working as a team. Students will do exercises that involve working together; leading up to fun group projects and challenges that build important interpersonal skills. Students will note what skills or talents they personally bring to the table in a group setting. They will also learn to communicate as a team. These four weeks will prepare students for what comes next: conflict resolution.
Conflict resolution is a skill every single one of us needs whether at our jobs, in class, or in line at the grocery store. As long as we are around others we need to know how to resolve conflict. The lessons during this month of the class will break down the different types of conflicts and the different styles of dealing with them. Both are important for resolving any issue.
The first semester wraps up with work on phone call and email etiquette. While these aren’t as “face to face” as the rest of the class; we recognize that soft skills are still important in these communication outlets. Students will get to practice making phone calls and emails, that replicate real circumstances, with their fellow students and Coach.
After our mid-session break, students will come back to taking the skills they learned in the first session and using them to work on negotiating. Students will learn to understand their worth and what they deserve whether it be in their job, on a sports team, or getting into college. They will also learn about managing expectations and how to handle situations that don’t go as expected.
Students will learn also to think critically in their professional lives and personal lives. With the world at our finger tips, it’s important to sift through the opinions and remember to note the facts. Students will learn important skills like being a problem solver, not just a problem identifier. Finding creative ways to address obstacles and benefit the people/environment around us.
TAS completes this course with a focus on confidence in two of the trickiest places to feel confident: networking/socializing in large groups and interviewing. Students will learn the art of small talk, conversation transitions, introductions, as well as their own 60 second elevator pitch and how to prepare for an interview.
What are students working towards?
All of this sounds great right? Well, there’s more!
We know that one of the highlights of our program is the TAS Showcase. Why? Because it gives the students a chance to show off their skills in a real ‘industry’ environment. We want for our Offline Communications Program students to get the same chance to practice what they’ve learned in a ‘real’ setting.
That’s why we have several exciting events planned to finish off the year! How often do you go into an interview and get honest feedback on the impression you made for the person running the company? How often do you get to network with top industry professionals? How often do you get to work with your colleagues to solve real problems in a safe place with personalized input? We have all this planned (and more!) as we end the year with special guests and fun opportunities.
Amazing, right? We think so too! So don’t miss out and get over to our classes page to sign up for the Offline Communications class today!
Ready to get started? Reach out today!
TASFRONTDESK@GMAIL.COM
770-904-6646
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About The Author
Kirsten Krehbiel
Kirsten Krehbiel is an Atlanta based actress, director, and writer who enjoys bringing people new truths through the art of storytelling. She has a love of acting both on camera and on stage, having been lucky enough to be a part of incredible productions in both worlds. Kirsten joined the TAS team in 2020 as a coach, a job she loves because it lets her watch first hand as students grow and gain self confidence as actors. When she is not creating or coaching, you can find Kirsten hanging out with her grumpy cat on their back porch.
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