Gretchen Neels | Gen Etiquette

May 9, 2008

Interview with Gretchen Neels: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Gretchen Neels has over ten years of experience recruiting and retaining top talent at a number of prestigious professional services firms, including Skadden, Baker & McKenzie, McDermott Will & Emery, Bain & Company, Bank of America and Gordon Brothers.

As a recruiter, Gretchen often saw excellent candidates who did not get jobs for which they were technically qualified because they lacked developed soft skills - the ability to connect personally with another.

She also observed that employers would sometimes overlook a lack of soft skills in a new hire, thinking their technical competence made up for whatever interpersonal shortcomings they had. Unfortunately, in today’s competitive marketplace, employers need every employee to have the ability to both do their work and connect with clients. As a result, employers now more than ever strive to hire people who excel in both technical (hard) and interpersonal (soft) skills.

She has found manners and interpersonal skills elements essential to success in todays business environment. An accomplished and sought-after public speaker, Gretchen enjoys developing young executives:

“Helping a young associate understand the intricacies of the corporate world brings immense satisfaction to me as a facilitator. Seeing them gain confidence and develop client relationships brings that same satisfaction to management.”

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