Soft skills, or "flexible skills," are crucial for the professional success of an HSE Specialist. They include communication skills, teamwork, analytical abilities, critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
Communication: An HSE Specialist must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, management, and contractors. This includes written communication (reports, technical assignments, presentations, etc.), oral communication (briefings, reports, discussing ideas), and intercultural communication.
Teamwork: Despite the distinct, separate position of an internal auditor, an HSE Specialist works within a team. Therefore, it is important to be able to collaborate with others, listen to their opinions, share ideas, and find compromises.
Analytical Abilities: An HSE Specialist must be able to analyze and critically evaluate information to make informed decisions and develop processes or documents.
Critical Thinking: An HSE Specialist must think critically to solve complex problems, assess risks, and find optimal solutions.
Adaptability: The modern world of technology is constantly changing, so an HSE Specialist must be ready to adapt to new conditions, learn new things, and respond quickly to changes.
To develop an HSE Specialist, it is crucial to include trainings and educational seminars in their onboarding plan, focusing not only on professional activities but also on soft skills development. Trainings can and should be recommended to the specialist, especially during the initial three-month onboarding period at a new workplace. This will allow you to quickly cultivate an effective HSE specialist capable of managing processes and finding compromises with the business for the benefit of employee safety.