The document is a speech about developing soft skills for learners in a globalized world. It argues that soft skills programs should incorporate local culture and values to be most effective. It also stresses that soft skills training should focus on developing communication skills and attitudes to help learners adapt to a changing world and face future challenges and setbacks. Quotes and images of influential figures are used to illustrate positive attitudes that could be incorporated.

1. The single most
important thing
for “Learner First”
soft skills.
Speech by Stephen Manallack.
Author, “Soft Skills for a Flat World”
(Tata McGraw-Hill India, 2012)

2. My Culture. My Voice.
Every soft skills program has a cultural bias.
Western Model Flaws
• Individualistic
• Unrealistic
• Lacks “wisdom”
• Mixed outcomes
© Stephen Manallack 2012

3. My Attitude. My Messages.
You don’t empower the learner by just giving soft skills –
you also need to give them the mind of a communicator.
© Stephen Manallack 2012

4. The biggest challenge your Learners will face?
Change & this flat world.
Gandhi Kanad Welch Drucker
© Stephen Manallack 2012

5. Remember that our state of mind
impacts our soft skills…
© Stephen Manallack 2012

6. Help the Learner in the Real World.
Generosity and soft skills in the flat world.
Build in other positive attitudes/values.
Gandhi Buffett Branson
© Stephen Manallack 2012

7. Your learners will face Setbacks & Challenges.
Prepare them for this
flat world future.
Shaw Jobs
© Stephen Manallack 2012

8. Let’s Create an Indian Model.
Soft skills & culture & attitude & values.
Inspire with Best India & Best West.
Flexible, adaptable communicators!
Tata Birla Twain
© Stephen Manallack 2012