This is a summary of a book titled “Be the Unicorn” written by William Vanderbloemen and published by Harper Collins in 2023. It talks about 12 data driven habits that separate best leaders from the rest to the point that they stand out as unicorns. These soft skills are presented with intriguing, teachable case studies and include:  

1. Move quickly to seize opportunities 

2. To get ahead, be authentic 

3. Build the agility to welcome new opportunities 

4. Become a problem solver 

5. Learn to anticipate the future 

6. Be over-prepared 

7. Develop self-awareness 

8. Stay curious 

9. Establish a network of connections 

10. Learn to be likable. 

11. Focus to maximize productivity 

12. Live a purpose-driven life. 

The author is founder of an executive search firm and his list of 12 soft skills comes out of his experience in working with others. Unicorns are distinctive, admired, and respected individuals who stand out as the spark that lights up a room. To become a unicorn, one must master these talents. 

Moving quickly to seize opportunities is crucial, as it allows one to stand out from peers and become irreplaceable. Responding to challenges and opportunities with alacrity is essential. Being authentic is crucial in the search engine era, as it helps build trusting relationships with others. 

Building agility is essential to welcome new opportunities. Ursula Burns, a chemical engineering graduate, exemplifies the value of agility. She was adaptable, agile, and willing to accept change for what it was. Burns's formula for success exemplifies the value of agility. 

When individuals stretch their mindset and horizons with these soft skills, they will become natural with their newfound abilities. 

Problem-solving is essential for success in any business. Companies will pay for and retain solutions to problems, as they are everywhere. Kevin Plank, a college football player, started Under Armour to solve athletes' sweating problem by researching synthetic fabrics. To position yourself advantageously, focus on understanding the problem and developing a profitable plan. 

Analyze the future by understanding the environment and making predictions. Marc Benioff co-founded Salesforce, an online business and sales-management system that customers can use without purchasing hardware or software. Understanding the environment is crucial for making predictions and staying ahead of competitors. 

Being over-prepared is also essential for success. John Wooden, a UCLA basketball coach, over-prepared his players to prevent blisters, leading to 10 national championships. Over-prepared leaders are better equipped for crises and face constant shocks, while under-prepared leaders are never ready for a crisis. Over-preparation builds agility and is more likely to be successful in any situation. 

To achieve success in life, one must develop self-awareness, stay curious, establish a network of connections, and learn to be likable. Self-awareness involves being honest with oneself and understanding one's strengths and weaknesses. This leads to increased creativity, effectiveness in jobs, better relationships, leadership, and promotion. To increase self-awareness, practice humility, be patient, and trust others. 

Curiousness is a key factor in success, as it drives creativity and knowledge. To increase curiosity, ask questions and listen carefully to answers. Networking with people in your field helps you learn about job openings and become a favored applicant for promotions. 

Likeability is a key characteristic of successful job applicants, as it trumps competency. To achieve likability, talk less and listen more, building empathy and showing people that you put others first. By doing so, you will be drawn to them and contribute to their success. 

Richard Branson, a successful entrepreneur, exemplifies the importance of focus and organization in maximizing productivity. Technology allows us to work anytime, anywhere, and with anyone, but it can make it difficult to focus on tasks. To maximize productivity, measure your own and your company's productivity by noting important goals achieved during specific work periods. Live a purpose-driven life, like Reshma Saujani, who founded Girls Who Code, by identifying your "why" and finding a workplace where you can address it meaningfully every day. As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "Change is moving faster than ever, but will never move this slowly again." Nurturing leadership skills, such as the "The Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries, can lead to a strong, unique, and victorious life.