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Developing Soft Skills for middle aged trainees in the hospitality sector.

Dr. Georgios Triantafyllou

Dpt. of Business Administration & Tourism - HMU

Obstacles, Stereotypes, Flexibility

HMU – Chania, Friday 30th September 2022

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Soft skills are personal attributes. �They’re characterized by the way you interact and work with other people. �They combine people skills, emotional skills, social skills, communication skills and personal character traits. �They’re very hard to teach �and very hard to evaluate.�

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Ultimately, soft skills can be condensed �into seven broad categories. � �What Are the 7 Soft Skills?� �

1. Communication 

2. Problem-solving

3. Leadership

4. Teamwork

5. Adaptability

6. Emotional intelligence

7. Work ethic

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Step 1��The profile of the trainee

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A virgin field to inspire

The profile of the audience

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First gain their trust and then focus on the knowledge sector

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What makes middle aged trainees

in the hospitality sector to differ

1. Come at their own will 

2. Will question you all the time

3. They know anything

4. Multi cultural experiences

5. Get into mischief - recalling old times

6. Political views, eager to express

7. Distract the lecture’s orientation

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Step 2��Stimulate their senses

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Step 3��Make them feel proud of themselves

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Step 4��Do NOT reject their knowledge or opinion

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Step 5��Make the team decide if an opinion is correct or not (instead of you)

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Step 6��Create a puzzle of knowledge

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Step 7��Give them authority – roles

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Step 8��Control the orientation of your ship

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Step 9��Avoid political arguments

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Step 10��Locate your ally

*Carl Rogers 1983 – Principles of adult training

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Step 11��Locate the rebel

*Carl Rogers 1983 – Principles of adult training

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Step 12��Motivate the indifferent ones

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Step 13��Use your allies to summarize

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Step 13��Exchange roles

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Step 14��Connect them with the society and promote it

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Step 15��Simulation projects�make them feel active!

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Step 17��Resistance to changes

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Thank you

All the photos presented are from adult training seminars I have conducted