Book excerpt: This high-impact book has been written by an experienced industry professional with a corporate perspective. The author is a Master Trainer who approaches the soft skills training from the point of view of a corporate soft skills training. Written in a business storytelling format, the training in the book is imparted by a skillful industry leader. This has not been written as the theoretical exercise. No boring theory, no wasted time! Rather, each chapter has been approached as a working session: Imparting soft skills by solving real problems and discussing workable solutions which the reader can apply immediately and keep for life. The structure of the book is in the form of a Personal Development Compass developed by the author. Just as a compass guides travelers through their journey and helps them to reach their destination, in the same way, the Personal Development Compass too guides the reader to navigate their way through the maze of the different soft skills and help them to polish their personalities. The methodology applied is `Learning-By Doing': This approach can be summed up as follows: `Educate Briefly-Then Train at Length'- On other words, less focus on theory, more real-world action, and solutions. The training imparted in the book starts with the Personality Development objective in mind and then facilitates and demonstrates methods to achieve those objectives.VERTICAL 1: Theme: CONFIDENCEHeadings: RELATIONSHIPS & WELL-BEINGThis vertical helps the reader in gaining the mental strength, motivation & confidence to approach their lives with a Positive Mental Attitude. The ability to be optimistic even in dire situations enables them to develop Emotional Intelligence and have meaningful relationships with their peers and colleagues, paving the way for the next level of Competence.VERTICAL 2: Theme: COMPETENCEHeadings: COMMUNICATION & CAREERGood Communication is a huge demand from recruiters and employers today. In fact, it is a pre-requisite for success. Effective Communication helps the reader to get a head start in their careers. They are able to think fast and creatively, impress and convince others of their point of view, they develop good listening skills thereby gaining an edge over others. They become the candidates of choice for promotion and progress.VERTICAL 3: Theme: COURTESYHeadings: ETIQUETTE & HABITSThere is a popular saying: The First Impression is the last Impression. A good first impression is created through effective habits and an ability to say the right thing at the right time to the right person. To develop these skills, the reader learns to exhibit appropriate behavior in all situations: personal and professional. Sustained behavior becomes a habit. This then becomes part of the reader's basic nature. A Good professional need to have strong Language skills. Recognizing this need, the book has a section in every chapter that highlights important words and Business phrases used in the corporate industry along with their meanings.ContentsSoft Skills: An OverviewEmotional IntelligenceSelf-Image ManagementTeam building and cooperationTime Management and Goal SettingCommunication SkillsVerbal Communication Part 1Verbal Communication Part 2Non-Verbal CommunicationLevel 2: CareerLevel 3: Courtesy & HabitsResume Writing & Job ApplicationsGroup DiscussionPersonal Interviews and Interactions