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10 “Soft” Skills Every Digital Analyst Should Master

By Adrienne Segundo posted 08-19-2020 03:38 PM

  
Soft skills in a technical field…they’re a core requirement.

Despite digital analytics still being considered a relatively new field, it’s one that is growing rapidly – both in scope of work and industry size. Every sector is hiring analytics professionals to provide insight into one business gap or another… which sounds straightforward. But anyone who has been in this industry for more than a few months knows technical chops alone don’t cut it.

If you’re looking to be hired, promoted, or noticed, focus on honing the following 10 expert-approved soft skills to super-charge your brag-worthy qualities. And if you find you’d like some expert advice, each one is explained in detail, with resources and tools for improvement, by seasoned professionals in our newest Soft Skills for Digital Analysts Mini-Series.

1. Communication

You’re probably thinking “I’ve been talking my whole life; I know how to communicate.” And you may be right. But if you’re being honest with yourself, are you conversing with others as clearly and effectively as possible? Whether you need to set expectations, present your findings, or send a professional email relaying a concern; verbal and written communication come into play every day in the workplace. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO or an entry-level employee, taking the time to recognize your own patterns and areas that need improvement will make a vast difference in your career and how you relate to others.

2. Teamwork

Teamwork is the art of collaborating with others effectively and is vital in most roles. Much like a puzzle, success is bound up in how different pieces of the larger puzzle come together. When different workers take on different puzzle pieces and how everyone approaches the other will either hinder or create the greatest success.

3. Adaptability

Adaptability in the workplace means being able to change to become successful. Demonstrating your ability to pivot or adapt is highly sought after by employers. Particularly for those in, or seeking, leadership roles where managing unusual circumstances without explicit instructions is crucial and a regular occurrence.

4. Problem Solving

Can you recognize a complication, identify, and implement solutions, and then follow-up afterwards to ensure they were successful? If you’re great at one, but not so hot in another of these areas, it could be time to brush up on this.

5. Creativity

Although a broad topic, it’s what allows us to develop innovative solutions to problems and it’s basically half of the foundation to our industry. Not everyone is naturally creative though. Requiring mental openness and flexibility, many sectors employ varying techniques as a means to an end designed to achieve better results. 

6. Work Ethic

A strong work ethic...it's either a part of your DNA or your parents taught it to you. These examples of soft skills are seemingly simple things (that in practice may feel not so simple) like being punctual, getting things done on time, and understanding that a job might be more than punching in and punching out.

7. Interpersonal Skills

These are things like:  
  • Active listening
  • Teamwork
  • Responsibility
  • Dependability
  • Leadership
  • Motivation
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
We all hope we’re naturally adept at interpersonal skills, but we aren’t all adept in the same way, which is the precise reason we all should hone these attributes.

8. Time Management

Time management is the art of simply being on time: delivering things before deadlines, being on time for work and meetings. We should all strive to learn how to manage our time every day and be organized enough to stick to the schedule we have set out to follow.  

9. Leadership

There are six key qualities great leaders possess. Improve yours, teach others, and surround yourself with more efficient executives and better team managers, while being one yourself.

10. Attention to Detail

It’s on every job description you’ve ever read. But what does it really mean? In short: attention to detail is thoroughness, consistency, and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved.

Download the Soft Skills for Digital Analysts Mini-Series now and begin improving your soft skills in as little as 15-30 minutes per episode.
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FREE for DAA members and $149 for not-yet members, the series includes:

  1. Communication with Sharon Flynn, Senior Manager, Digital Analytics (Canada/USA) Bank of Montreal
  2. Teamwork with JD Nyland, SVP Product Management, ClientSuccess
  3. Adaptability with Anne Saylor, Director, Analytics Enablement, BlueAcorn iCi
  4. Problem solving with Ella Nguyen, Associate Director of Solutions Lead, Bounteous
  5. Creativity with Nidhal Firoze, Associate Manager, Course5 Intelligence
  6. Work Ethic with Chase Porter, Director, Data Operations, Evolytics
  7. Interpersonal Skills with Sam Itin, Digital Marketing Innovator
  8. Time Management with Caitlin McCluskey-Fitch, Senior Analytics Consultant, Cardinal Path
  9. Leadership with Tom Morrison, CEO, Speaker, Author, Life Coach
  10. Attention to Detail with Karen Hopper, Senior Data Strategist, M+R

#Education

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