21 Most Valuable Career Skills: Career Development, Guidance, Planning

Mira, Thank you for your observations.
What I mean by social skills -- to clients, customers and patrons as well as to peers and superiors -- perhaps best is summed up by your insight that "what I feel is falling by the wayside in much of the business world these days is kindness. I learned how to be more gentle from several supervisors in my twenties, but now things are very rushed and many people are struggling just to cope."
In another direction, can you think of non-American-made films that show someone consuming drinks or food at work or in their residence without offering any to guests or passersby? I noticed in the Elementary procedural drama television series -- and in a number of U.S. films -- that's what characters do when they're hiding something or up to no good. For example, the killer in the episode When Your Number's Up pours herself a drink in front of her sister without offering her anything despite the latter being her accountant trying to save her from financial catastrophe.

P.S. In my previous answer I was referring to team building activities, for instance. Some companies pay big bucks for them. But, judging from what I can see around, there are also many companies where there is little time and money for fun and games, especially smaller companies.

Oh, I think they do, but what I feel is falling by the wayside in much of the business world these days is kindness. I learned how to be more gentle from several supervisors in my twenties, but now things are very rushed and many people are struggling just to cope.

Mira, Thank you for the observations. It's interesting how today's most valuable career skills no longer overtly emphasize social and team-playing skills.

In my experience, some job demands these days, with everything changing so fast and people wanting to adapt at a hare's place, place ridiculously big expectations on the employees / workers. Which is fine in your twenties or thirties. But then it becomes too much for too little. But each person is different and sometimes some people do hit the rewards pot.

Derdriu, Thank you I will pass that along.

katiem2, Thank you for stopping by and liking what you see. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree so your daughters have nature and nurture on their side ;-D. You have my best wishes personally and professionally for them and you.

My daughter is going to a second interview today, it is 3 hours long. She has another second interview tomorrow, it is very interesting how the interview processes are now. She has graduated with two degrees, one in neuroscience and the other psychology. People say it is hard to get a job nowadays, but she was determined to get a job in her field, she has had many exciting prospects and I am confident she will chose between one of the two job offers she will no doubt be offered over the next few days. I remembered this blog and came back to review. It is a useful tool, thank you. I am convinced it is this resource that helped her become so marketable in her field and near landing a job in it without a few short months.

katiem2, It's tough to get to the top and stay there, and from what I've seen it's exactly the way you put it. It's the one who juggles everything, from work ethic to people skills, since yes, it's clear who's "hardly working."

I feel, been my experience, that the most effective people work all the tools, have good people skills, follow through and a good overall work ethic, work being the key word. It is obvious who works!