Hardcore Soft Skills Podcast

In this episode, host Yadi Caro, and Joe Bogdan, auhtor and host of The Waypoint Better Podcast (https://waypointbetter.com/) , discuss the top skills leaders need now.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskills.com/

Soft skills are having a moment—but they're still widely misunderstood, undervalued, or dismissed as "nice to have." In this episode, Galen sits down with Yadi Caro to unpack why that perception persists—and why it's costing teams more than they realize. Drawing from her experience working with elite technical teams in the defense sector, Yadi reframes soft skills as something far more rigorous: essential capabilities that enable collaboration, decision-making, and ultimately, results.   Learn more about The Digital Project Manager here https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/ View the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELUH8-kvrMU&t=1s 

How do we create a great culture in our workplace? What does culture mean? We wlaways talk about it yet it seems its something that comes ditacted by corporate and if our culture sucks, well, there is not much we can do. In today's episode you will learn how you can create a great wokrplace with a wibrant culture as my guest Nicole Greer says. Nicole is the CEO of Vibrant Culture, and she coaches leaders and speaks on how to buld cultures where people can thrive.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Replay of conversation with Yadi Caro and Dr. Alise Cortez for the Working on Purpose podcast.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/    

How do we become visible and assume leadership roles? In this coversation with Dr. Cindy Young, author of the book Invisible Introvert, learn tools and tips to increase impact as an intovert.    Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Finding a mentor can be intimidating. In this episode, learn the steps to ask someone to become a mentor for you. Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  

Building our EQ takes time and effort. In this episode, learn the first steps to build it.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

In this episode, learn why conflict is not always bad and how to distinguish good and bad conflict.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Adpatability is a critical skill we need today. In this episode, learn how to develop this skill. Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Meetings can be painful. In this episode, learn tecniques to have better meetings.   Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

If you find yourself constantly putting out fires (figuratively speaking), listen to this episode for a quick technique on how to prioritize.   Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Curiosity is a key to innovation. Learn in this episode how to hel your team build curiosity. Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

AI can help us solve problems more efficiently, yet as humans we need to be able to find the right problems to solve. In this episode, learn a technique to do so.   Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Motivating a team is a great challenge. In this episode, learn key actions to help you build intrinsic motivation.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Yadi Caro talks to Jeremy Wood on the Geek Within Podcast. Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Aritificial Intelligence can help us write, but we need to write to develop our intelligence. Learn more in this episode.    Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

We all have to speak in public regardless of our role. Listen to this episode to learn how to practice with your team.    Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  

In this episode, learn how to do a listening audit to help you and your team improve your listening skills.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. Here are more epsiodes on listening and other communicaton skills: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/categories/communications/  For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

In this epsiode, learn how to know yourself and overcome challenges with leadership identity expert and coach Dana Williams (https://www.danawilliamsco.com/).    Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

In this episode, Yadi interviews leadership coach and auhtor DR. AZ Habtewold to discuss top skills for tech professionals.    Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

In this interview for The A to Z Podcast with Dr. Az Habtewold, Yadi Caro shares the top skills tech professionals need now.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble.   For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Netwroking is not just for job searching. At work, we need to build realtionships to get stuff done.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

Building empathy is a necessary skill. In this episode learn some tools to develop it.  Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

To create a great team, you must first start with assessing yourself. In this episode learn how to do this for yourself and your team members.   Get a copy of the book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work With Humans. Also available in Amazon, Audible, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble. For previous episodes and more resources go to: https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/ 

  As we wrap up this season, we share the news about the launch of the ucpomign book Hardcore Soft Skills: A Guide to Work with Humans, coming in January. The book introduces the 5Cs framework to launch a team or join a new one. The 5Cs are Connect, Communicate, Collaborate, Create and Correct, and each one addresses a set of skills you will develop to get to a successful work experience and career. Each chapter includes different skills with  exercises you can practice with your team.    Sign up to the newsletter to be then first to know when the book comes out.  https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/newsletter/  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

Can leadership be learned? Is it for everyone? How can be become better leaders? These are some of the questions we answer in this episode with real life Top Gun instructor, and leadership instructor David Berke. He also wrote The Need to Lead. Find out how the experiences in the battlefield can be applied in your leadership journey.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

Layoffs, scandals, use of AI gone wrong… These days there seems to be significant crisis looming and we need to prepare. As my guest says, its not a matter of if a crisis happens but a matter of when. In today's episode we have Edward Segal, the author of The Crisis Casebook: Lessons in Crisis Management from the World's Leading Brands and the award-winning and bestselling Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies. Today you will learn how to prepare to manage a crisis.   For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

This episode features Andrew D. Wittman, PhD, a United States Marine Corps infantry combat veteran, former police officer, and federal agent.  As a private military contractor for the U.S. State Department, he trained former Navy SEALs, Marines, Army Rangers, and Special Forces in high-threat diplomatic security. where he forged the system behind Inner Armor,hisframework for mastering pressure, mental toughness, and emotional control.Today we talk about some tactics you can use today.   For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

This episode originally aired on December 2020.  In this episode we talked about Diversity and specifically Diversity Awareness. While Diversity may be seem as part of an initiative a company takes on to  ensure people of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures are treated as equal, diversity is also an individual responsibility. Our guest today, Karen Catlin, is an advocate for inclusive work spaces. After spending 25 years building software products and serving as a Vice President of Engineering at Macromedia and Adobe, she noticed a sharp decline in the number of women working in tech. therefore, she decided to switch gears. She became a Leadership Coach to help more women become leaders and coach men who want to be better allies for underrepresented groups. She is the author of two books on the topic Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces and The Better Allies™ Approach to Hiring. In todays' episode we talked about her background and career shift. We also discuss specific steps you can take now to become an ally and help foster diversity. To get in touch with Karen Catlin, her website: https://karencatlin.com/  For resources and updates, visit our website https://hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/

How do we create a joyful workplace? In this episode, Rich Sheridan, co-founder of Menlo Innovations, and author of Chief Joy Officer and Joy Inc, shares how we built a culture of joy in his tech company.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/  

In this episode we begin a series focused on providing actionable advice you can use to cultivate essential skills.  In this episode we review:  - Why do we use the term "soft" skills? - What are the most effective way ways to learn soft skills? - Find out how "soft" skills were intended to be trained in military organizations.  For more resources, subscribe to the newsletter via https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  

In this episode, learn about how to become unruly with Lauren Wittenberg Weiner is the author of Unruly: Deconstruct the Rules, Defy the Norms, and Define Your Success. Lauren found success in the field of military contracting by changing the rules of the game. She started WWC Global when she could not get a job as a military spouse stationed overseas. Over the course of almost 20 years, she and her team built the company to almost $100 million in annual revenue before the company was acquired in 2022.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/ 

This episode originally aired in December 2022.    If you are a regular listener of this podcast you know that beyond the learning you do for your work related skills to get you in the door, the "soft" skills are the ones that will truly make you succeed. Especially transitioning careers or planning the way ahead, honing your "soft" skills is extremely important.  Thinking of that interest in advancing in your career, or switching gears, here are 5 skills you need to practice and some advice on how to get started on each.     For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/ 

This episode was originally aired in 2022. Today we talk about Body Language with an expert who has been voted as a number one body language expert. Mark Bowden (https://truthplane.com/home/people/mark-bowden/  )  is a bestselling author who has been featured in CNN, CBS, the Dr. Phil Show, and many others to share his expertise on body language and human behavior.  Our conversation today focused on what is really involved with developing your ability to understand body language and that of others. After this episode you will have taken a very important steps on your journey to understand body language for your advantage at work and life.  For bonus materials and updates, subscribe to the newsletter via the website https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  Connect with Yadi via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/  

This episode originaly aired on January 2023.  If hearing the expression "let's have a meeting" makes you cringe, you are not alone. Why? Because you and I have been part of some terrible, terrible meetings. Meetings which should have been an email, long meetings where only one person is talking, meeting that seem to go and on…  Should we ban meetings altogether? Not at all. In this episode I share the top reasons why your meetings suck and how to fix them.  Please leave me a review via your favorite podcast app and sign up for my newsletter for more resources via hardcoresoftskills podcast.com.  

Branding is not for products. You need branding regardless of what you do. This is the topic today with my guest Mike Kim. He is a consultant, speaker, and coach, teaching the principles of personal branding to executives, experts, and employees. He is the co-author of the book, alongide Andy Storch, of the book Own Your Brand, Own Your Career and also wrote You Are The Brand.   Today we speak about key advice to define your brand, losing the fear of posting content and preparing for job interviews.  For bonus materials of this and other episodes, subscribe via the website https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/ 

This episode was originally aired on September 2023.  In this episode, we will review the 8 steps for change management from John Kotter.  If you want to receive more information, subscribe to my newsletter via https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/ 

In this live episode I am joined by Sarah Baldeo. She is an AI Neuroscientist, bestselling author, TED speaker, and innovation advisor. For nearly two decades she has worked at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, helping Fortune 100 companies, governments, and universities prepare for the future of the human mind.She is also the author of 100 Ways to Future-Proof Your Brain in the Age of AI (June 2025). In this episode we discussed the myths about AI, impacts to our brain, and how to train our brains to prepare for the pace of technology.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/  

In this episode we talk about Negotiation. You will learn 5 steps I learned at Harvard University to become a better negotiatior.  For bonus materials of this and other episodes, subscribe via the website https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/    or email me at [email protected]

How do you assume a position of leadership effectively? What happens if you feel the odds are against you? In this epsiode you will learn tools to master how to assume a position of power at work.  Dr. Sheila Gujrathi is a leader in biotech and a passionate advocate for equity across industries. She has founded and lead numerous biotech companies that brought life-changing treatments to patients.  She is the athor of the book The Mirror Effect: A Transformative Approach to Growth for the Next Generation of Female Leaders.    For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/  

This episode originally aired in December 2023.      For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

This interview originally aired in April 2023.  --------------------------- Dr. Mark Goulston was a psychiatrist and one of the world's leading experts on listening with his book, Just Listen, becoming the top book on listening in the world. He was also the author of Talking to Crazy and Get Out of Your Own Way.  In this episode we discussed various topics including his fascinating story about why he pursued psychiatry. You will also learn techniques on how to deal with difficult people AND become a better listener.  For more resources, sign up for the newsletter at https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/  Connect with me via https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/ 

This episode originally aired in nov 2023.    For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/    

Imagine having to compete against Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos to send humans to space.  What if you take the lessons you have learned as a result of that experience and you develop a series of principles to serve as guide to life at home and at work. Andy Crocker, did just that. Andy is an aerospace executive with three decades of experience building high-performing teams and leading ambitious projects, including NASA's Human Landing System. He holds degrees in engineering, humanities, management, and leadership and is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. You will learn today about then principles he wrote about in his book The Unconditionals and very simple approaches to adopt each principle.    For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

This is a podcast conversation in Spanish. Yadi speaks with Iliana Fuentes Lugo from Hola Podcast about her own challenges through her career journey facing self-imposed limitations. You can view the YouTube episode here. For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/  

In this episode Yadi shares some of her background, inspirations and other lessons she has learned from mentors.  View the Youtube episode here View the interview to Bob 'Fabien' Zinga here.    For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

This interview was originally aired on April 11, 2023.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/ Connect with me via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/yadiraycaro/

Decision-making is a skill we have talked about before on this podcast and we address this again because making decisions is difficult, especially with the amount of choices we have today, and the speed we need to do so. Consequences of bad decisions can be lethal as you will learn today with the authors of the book Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions.  One of them is L. David Marquet, who is joining us again. He is retired US Navy Captain who commanded the nuclear powered submarine USS Santa F and wrote about this experience in the book Turn the Ship Around. I also speoke with Michael A. Gillespie, an Associate Professor of Psycholog at the University of South Florida and Director of the Human Applied Cognition and Decision Making Lab.  For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/  

You may have been intrigued by the title of this podcast and it was originally going to be called team mistakes but then I thought that these are not just mistakes these are things we do deliberately out of our own self interest and which harm our team. These are sins we think we can get away with.    For courses and coaching https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/courses/  If you want to receive more information, subscribe to my newsletter via https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/newsletter/ 

Do you feel you and your team are being productive? Are your hours spent on a lot of work yet you feel at the end of the day you have not achieved what you really needed to? Or do you spend your time putting out fires? In this episode you will learn techniques you can use now for you and your team to become more productive.  If you want to receive more information, subscribe to my newsletter via https://www.hardcoresoftskillspodcast.com/newsletter/