You might have a master’s degree in management, but if you’re lacking in the soft skills that make strong leaders great, you’re bound to fail. But before you concede defeat, contrary to popular belief, you can learn to be a better ‘people-person’ with the right training.

The soft skills that make strong leaders include superior communication, emotional and social intelligence, delegation skills, and flexibility, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. If these don’t come naturally, then soft skills training for managers courses, like those listed below, can help you rise to the challenge when your job depends on it.

1. Communication skills

A report by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that poor communication skills are having a detrimental impact on the workplace. Communication barriers are a delay or complete failure to complete projects (44%), low morale (31%), missed performance goals (25%) and lost sales (18%) according to surveyed respondents.

A large part of communication skills in a leadership role is active listening. If employees don’t feel seen and heard, they don’t feel valued. It’s important to have a genuine interest in people and to ask questions and encourage feedback.

One of the biggest consequences of poor communication in the workplace was added stress (55%), which is a huge productivity killer. So, put communication training at the top of your soft skills training list.

2. EQ & SQ

If you’re considering soft skills training for managers, don’t underestimate the value of EQ, emotional intelligence, and SQ, social intelligence. These qualities may seem innate, but they can be learned with training, persistence and the motivation to change.

Having a high emotional quotient will help leaders to successfully manage relationships and can be valuable in a crisis. A high EQ also means leaders can make sound difficult decisions when required, resolve conflict and have the flexibility to keep pace with dynamic business goals and circumstances. A lack of EQ drastically reduces a leader’s ability to empathise, communicate and collaborate with others.

Similarly, SQ is more than just getting along well with others. It’s about being able to influence and positively connect for mutual goals. Having a high SQ puts leaders in a position to quickly identify a toxic culture and to turn it around.

3. Time Management

Great leaders know that delegation is essential to productivity and team-culture. Micro-managers are usually not great at time management – they simply don’t have enough time! So, if you want to pursue soft skills training for managers, you can’t go past time management. It’s one of the most important characteristics of a strong leader and a productive workplace.

4. Flexibility

Adaptable leaders have the flexibility to think on their feet. They’re able to see change as an opportunity and not a threat. It’s critical to have a flexible management style in today’s fast, dynamic and competitive environment.

5. Teamwork

Studies show that collaboration is key to successful leadership. Participants in the study who were primed to act collaboratively stuck at their task 64% longer than their solitary peers, whilst also reporting higher engagement levels, lower fatigue levels and a higher success rate. What’s more, this impact persisted for several weeks.

Similarly, another study found that companies that promoted collaborative working were five times as likely to be high performing. So, make sure your leadership is collaborative!

6. Problem-solving

As a leader, figuring out how to solve problems happens on the daily. Your ability to use your analytic and creative skills to find solutions will be tested – but you’ll also need to be methodical and level-headed to achieve results.

Soft Skills Training for Managers  

Serious about soft skills training for managers? Take a look at these online professional development courses, which will improve many critical soft skills deficits in the workplace.

Anger Management for Professionals

Anger Management for Professionals is an online course that will teach you how to help others to manage their anger. Whether you’re managing people in the workplace, coaching a sporting team, counselling clients, or taking stock of your own anger – this online course is ideal for you.

Communicate with Influence

Communicate with Influence is an online program that will help you improve your interpersonal communication skills, choose the right communication method to convey your message, and communicate with confidence both verbally and non-verbally.

Conflict Management Program

Conflict arises in personal and professional settings, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. The ability to manage conflict successfully impacts career development and healthy relationships. Whether you’re a manager, supervisor, employee or friend – this conflict management course is an excellent resource to gain the interpersonal skills necessary to manage conflict confidently.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

The ability to think critically and creatively is vital in today’s workplace – as a high value is placed on innovation. Balancing critical and creative thought stimulates new ideas and problem-solving while also evaluating feasibility. This course is ideal for anyone in business, government or the creative industries.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is an online course that will teach you how to develop and apply EQ for personal and career success. You will explore the skills required to understand and use EQ to improve your self-awareness, empathy, and ability to deal sensitively with the feelings of others.

Leadership – Communicating for Results

Leadership – Communicating For Results is designed for aspiring leaders, recently appointed leaders and leaders who want to further develop their skills. In this online professional development program, you will develop the key competencies and skills required for executive career development.

Leading Diversity & Inclusion

When organisations embrace diversity in the workplace, the result is greater creativity, innovation and team engagement, which promotes lower turnover, higher performance and increased profits. This online professional development course will help you employ and support a more diverse workplace.

Multicultural Sensitivity Training

We live in a multicultural society, so it’s crucial to embrace differences and develop cultural competence. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to enhance their multicultural awareness. It’s particularly important for counsellors, managers, business owners, migration agents and those in healthcare and helping professions.

Workplace Wellbeing Program

Mentally healthy workplaces create positive environments, which increase employee confidence, productivity, and engagement. Whether you want to create a workplace wellbeing program for your organisation or improve your personal wellbeing at work, this course is ideal for you.

Strategic Time Management

Strategic Time Management is a professional development course that will develop your schedule management skills. You’ll also learn about goal setting techniques to help you deliver under pressure.

 

If you’re an employer wanting to invest in soft skills for managers or any training, talk to us about strategic learning opportunities. We’ll help you find the right course for your business needs, and to support your employees to achieve their learning goals.