The Best Soft Skills Training Strategies to Boost Team Performance

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are key non-technical abilities like leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills are crucial for enhancing workplace relationships and improving overall team performance.

While these skills may come naturally to some individuals, offering soft skills training on an organizational level can give employees and the overall business an edge. Investing in soft skills training for your team can lead to better collaboration, employee satisfaction, and productivity.

This article explores effective soft skills training strategies to boost your team’s performance. Looking for more tactics? Read our e-book: Top 3 Soft Skills Your Employees Need In the New World of Work.

Why are soft skills important for employees?

Soft skills training programs offer numerous benefits with the power to transform individual performance and overall organizational success. Notably, these programs can greatly improve employee performance. For example, one study found that a 12-month soft skills training program across five factories improved return on investment by roughly 250 percent.

For employees and organizations alike, soft skills fluency can also:

1. Enhance communication and collaboration

Soft skills training fosters better interpersonal relationships, turning open collaboration and clear communication into common practice. Employees become more comfortable with sharing ideas, participating in constructive discussions without judgement, and reaching across established workplace silos to gain diverse perspectives. 

For example, a sales team trained in better communication invests time in collaborative meetings with their in-house subject matter experts. The knowledge they’ve gained will translate into better client-facing meetings, more confidence in the product, and higher employee retention.

2. Improve leadership and people management

Great leadership is said to be the mastery and application of every soft skill combined. Oftentimes, leadership training is reserved for seasoned employees making the jump into a management role. But leadership skills aren’t just beneficial for managers. Employees with leadership skills—at all organizational levels—are quicker to adapt to changing business needs and more flexible to jump into leadership roles. 

For example, when a senior content editor moves into a director position, a junior content editor who’s been properly trained in leadership skills can more comfortably step into the senior role without losing a step. 

3. Boost problem-solving and decision-making

No organization is immune to the occasional brainstorm session that seems to go nowhere. These moments of creative block and decision paralysis become much less frequent with consistent soft skills training. Problem-solving and decision-making soft skills training helps employees make quick, informed decisions and turn problems into opportunities.

For example, your marketing team might get stuck choosing between two possible directions for a new product campaign. Leaning on their recent soft skills training, the indecision doesn’t last long. While option A seems flashier, your team recognizes that option B aligns with organizational values and addresses client concerns with the product’s previous iteration. Instead of tabling the decision, the campaign is launched on time, time to product adoption decreases, and your brand’s value is strengthened. 

4. Increase productivity and morale

Employees with better soft skills will more naturally seek out unique solutions, understand client needs faster, and be quicker to adapt to changing environments. Their confidence in themselves and the company that invested in helping them improve their performance will increase as well, leading to higher productivity and morale. 

For example, you take a chance on a new hire who may not have tons of experience, but they’re a great communicator. After additional training to hone those communication skills and build other soft skills like teamwork and problem-solving, the new hire brings a contagious, confident energy that boosts the whole team’s productivity. 

5. Help build a positive company culture

When communication, teamwork, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills all come together, a better overall workplace culture will follow. Better communication enhances collaboration, better teamwork leads to a stronger sense of community, and employees who feel valued create a positive company culture. This will be evident to those within your organization, clients, and the general public as well. 

For example, your customer success team—often the busiest, stressed out department—recently finished a soft skills training course. Over the next few weeks, they spend less time discussing how draining work is and more time celebrating their newfound capacity to empathize with clients. They start to see every call and interaction as an opportunity for connection, and their positive shift in mindset spreads out to the rest of the organization. 

What is soft skills training?

Soft skills training is designed to develop essential non-technical abilities like:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Leadership 
• Emotional intelligence

These skills are vital for building stronger workplace relationships and boosting collaboration. Unlike hard skills, which are specific to certain job functions and can be easily measured through exams or certifications, soft skills are more personal and often harder to quantify.

However, just because soft skills are hard to quantify doesn’t mean they can’t be developed. Employees’ personal and professional growth relies on an organization’s investment in soft skills training programs.

When effectively leveraged, this type of training can help individuals improve their social interactions, adaptability, and behavior, which in turn enhances their overall performance. In fact, soft skills significantly contribute to career success, accounting for roughly 85 percent of an individual’s achievement over their career span.

Developing soft skills is an ongoing process that involves continuous effort, experience, practice, and self-reflection. It’s about cultivating transferable abilities across various roles and industries, making them some of the most valuable assets in today’s workforce.

10 examples of soft skills to develop

Now, let’s take a look at ten crucial soft skills. Each plays a pivotal role in ensuring efficient operations, effective teamwork, and a positive work culture.

1. Communication skills

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful teamwork and client relations. Strong communication skills enable employees to:

• Interact efficiently with clients, partners, and each other
• Build rapport
• Speak confidently and concisely
• Provide constructive feedback more effectively

Bolstering interpersonal communication in these ways can also lead to increased client satisfaction and loyalty. Being able to deliver information clearly and concisely can help keep things clear, expedite conversations, and resolve potential conflicts.

2. Presentation skills

Presentation skills are another vital aspect of communication, involving the ability to:

• Deliver information in a structured and engaging manner
• Use visual aids effectively to enhance an audience’s understanding
• Adapt the presentation style to suit the audience’s needs and preferences

With opportunities to polish their presentation skills, employees can communicate more effectively—both within their teams and with external stakeholders.

3. Active listening

Part of communication skills but important all on its own, active listening skills effectively build rapport with clients and within teams. Strong active listening skills enable employees to:

• Understand client needs faster
• Empathize with clients and coworkers
• Present value to customers sooner

Employees who listen more than they talk make clients feel heard and appreciated, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

4. Adaptability

The best employees know how to pivot when things don’t go the way they’re supposed to. Almost anything can introduce adversity into the workplace—a changed meeting time, a delayed product, an angry client—and adaptability is the answer. Strong adaptability skills enable employees to:

• Be flexible to workplace changes
• Enter stressful situations with poise
• See problems as opportunities to learn

When your employees are flexible, your organizational operations are more efficient, and company culture shifts from daily pain points to wins in the face of adversity. 

5. Teamwork and collaboration

We all know the value of teamwork and open collaboration. Confident individuals come together to form effective teams, and teams that invite diverse perspectives outperform those that don’t. Strong teamwork and collaboration skills enable employees to: 

• Feel more comfortable voicing their ideas
• Be open to unique solutions
• Take accountability for errors, and move toward resolution
• Break down workplace silos

When your employees feel like a valued team member, they’re more likely to bring their best ideas to the table, and your clients will benefit from the diverse solutions they come up with. 

6. Time management

How to effectively manage our time is something we all get trained to do from an early age, balancing school, work, sports, and social life. Strong time management skills enable employees to:

• Balance work and family life
• Meet deadlines, avoid stress, and enhance reliability
• Prioritize tasks more efficiently
• Maintain a positive approach to challenges

Employees with great time management skills are more productive and happier in their role, leading to higher employee satisfaction rates. 

7. Emotional intelligence

Employees with high emotional intelligence, or EQ, are better equipped to understand the emotions of others. Strong emotional intelligence skills enable employees to: 

• More effectively motivate struggling team members
• Use empathy to strengthen connection 
• Understand client needs faster
• Build rapport with clients and team members alike

Higher emotional intelligence throughout the office leads to clearer communication, less confusion, and a more positive workplace culture overall. 

8. Problem-solving

Effective problem-solving is the cornerstone of productivity and a good sign of an organization’s ability to adapt. Strong problem-solving skills enable employees to: 

• See problems as opportunities
• Improve decision-making skills
• Approach challenges with a hungry mindset
• Build confidence in their value to the team

A team of employees eager to tackle challenges not only increases productivity, but workplace morale as well. 

9. Innovation

We’ve all felt “stuck” at work for one reason or another—repetitive tasks, lack of inspiration, or lack of motivation. Strong innovation skills enable employees to: 

• Seek out creative solutions to everyday problems
• Design products that stand out 
• Value diverse perspectives

Training employees to be more receptive to innovative solutions creates a more collaborative work environment, invites creativity, and strengthens brand image. 

10. Continuous learning

While one soft skills training session is better than none, continuous learning of these skills is key to long term employee success. On its own, the idea that learning never stops positively impacts your organization in several ways. Strong continuous learning skills enable employees to:

• See the value in every experience
• Build a positive culture around continuous improvement
• Always look for opportunities to learn more

Even your best employees need refresher courses, and fostering a positive culture around continuous learning will encourage your employees to seek out every learning opportunity they can get their hands on.  

Differentiating soft skills from hard skills

Before discussing key soft skills strategies for your organization, it’s important to understand the differences between soft skills and hard skills.

Hard skills, also known as technical skills, are job-related competencies that are often a prerequisite for employment in certain fields. They’re critical for performing specific job functions and can be acquired through degrees, courses, or on-the-job training. Examples of hard skills, also known as technical skills, include graphic design, data analysis, and search engine optimization.

However, hard skills alone are not enough to ensure success in the workplace. This is where soft skills come into play. Unlike hard skills, soft skills are non-technical and relate to interactions and work performance. They include personal qualities and traits like teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, all of which impact how individuals work and collaborate with others.

Interestingly, when soft skills are effectively developed, they can help employees apply and prove their hard skills even more powerfully. They can also improve the strength of an overall team and organization by boosting collaborative potential.

Effective methods for teaching soft skills

Effective soft skills training requires an engaging approach, encouraging active participation and real-world application. Below, we’ll cover three of the most effective methods: role-playing exercises, story-based learning, and gamification.

Role-playing exercises

Role-playing exercises allow employees to participate in scenarios to practice and enhance specific soft skills. These exercises help employees understand different perspectives and improve their problem-solving abilities by working through realistic workplace situations.

Scenarios used in role-playing can be tailored to address specific challenges employees face in their roles, providing immediate feedback and opportunities for improvement. For example, a customer service team might act out common scenarios from the perspective of both the service agent and the client to form a deeper understanding of how these interactions might play out.

Using role-playing in e-learning can be a very effective way to work through scenarios with employees at scale. With the right e-learning software, you can set up simulations and branching logic to help employees understand cause and effect while also aiding in knowledge retention.

Story-based learning

Story-based learning uses narratives or storytelling methods to convey essential lessons and concepts. This can be a highly valuable tool in soft skills training. By reflecting on their personal experiences or envisioning scenarios with fictional characters, employees can extract valuable insights and apply them to real-life situations.

Narratives in story-based learning often mirror the challenges of the job, making lessons more relatable and memorable. This method helps illustrate the consequences of different actions and decisions, enhancing employees’ critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Gamification

To make your soft skills courses more engaging and motivating, try incorporating game design elements like point scoring, leaderboards, and rewards. These gamification elements encourage participation and make the training experience more enjoyable for participants.

Interactive games can simulate real-life scenarios your employees might encounter, allowing them to practice and refine their soft skills in a controlled, low-risk environment. Be sure to offer opportunities for constructive feedback in your gamified training to allow participants to hone their skills over time.

How to implement soft skills training programs

To implement a soft skills program effectively and at scale, it’s important to follow a framework. Below, we’ll cover the key steps to doing so, including assessing skill gaps, choosing the right delivery method, and promoting continuous learning and feedback.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your training is tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization and employees.g to learn to prioritize tasks, set boundaries, and manage their time more efficiently can pay dividends in the long run.

1. Assess skill gaps

Identifying existing skill gaps among employees is a crucial first step for tailoring training programs efficiently. Organizations can pinpoint opportunities for soft skills development by speaking with employees at all levels and consulting with managers.

Assessing skill gaps helps ensure that your training addresses specific needs and enhances your team’s overall performance. This is essential for creating targeted and impactful training programs.

2. Choose the right delivery method

To ensure your employees can effectively engage with and retain material, it’s key to select the appropriate delivery method for your soft skills training. This may vary depending on the needs of your organization or team.

For example, you may want to create a dedicated soft skills course that allows employees to access training regularly in bite-size chunks without interfering with their day-to-day work. You can also use micro-learning, which breaks down training into small and actionable segments, to allow for immediate application of soft skills.

3. Encourage continuous learning and feedback

Encouraging regular feedback and self-reflection helps employees identify areas for improvement and fosters a learning mindset. This culture of continual learning is essential for addressing mistakes and setting new goals.

Utilizing an e-learning platform like Articulate 360 can help you provide consistent and personalized learning experiences with opportunities for feedback.

Leveraging technology in soft skills training

Technology—specifically, online learning platforms—is a key way to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of soft skills training. These platforms provide flexible and engaging training environments that can be tailored to meet employees’ specific needs.

Below, we’ll explore how platforms like Articulate 360 can be used to develop soft skills.

E-learning platforms for soft skill development

When it comes to soft skills training, e-learning platforms offer the following benefits:

• Access to training regardless of an employee’s geographical location or time constraints
• Interactive multimedia modules for an engaging learning experience
• Videos for visual and auditory learning
• Multi-device access

These platforms provide learners with a flexible and convenient way to develop their soft skills, making it easier for employees to fit training into their schedules.

Articulate 360 capabilities

Articulate 360, the leading e-learning platform, offers a platform designed to help you create engaging, interactive courses tailored to specific soft skills. Some key capabilities include:

• Engaging learner experiences: Articulate 360 lets you build interactive, effective, and engaging training that can include branching scenarios, interactive activities, knowledge checks, and a wide range of assessments.
• Intuitive authoring for ALL course creators: With Articulate 360’s intuitive UI and integrated AI Assistant, you and your cross-functional collaborators can easily create effective training to boost performance.
• Quizzes and knowledge checks: Provide your learners with immediate feedback, helping them identify areas for improvement and track their progress.
• Helpful templates: Get a head start on course creation with a library of templates on key topics, from HR to sales training.
• Seamless collaboration and reviews: Collaborate on course creation by inviting colleagues to create and edit content, improving the quality of your training. Collect and approve in-context feedback, simplifying and accelerating the entire course review and approval process.

By leveraging the capabilities of platforms like Articulate 360, organizations can ensure continuous development and a more dynamic approach to soft skills training.

Real-life examples of successful soft skills training

Real-life soft skills training examples can provide valuable insights into the implementation and positive results of soft skills training programs. For instance, Google’s Project Oxygen program demonstrated that managers who effectively communicated and supported employee well-being were key to maintaining high-performing teams.

IBM’s Leadership Development Program focuses on enhancing soft skills such as emotional intelligence, collaboration, and communication among its leaders.

Zappos invested in training programs prioritizing customer service skills, which enhanced employee communication and problem-solving abilities, leading to higher customer satisfaction.

These case studies highlight the common benefits of soft skills training programs, such as:

• Improved communication
• Better leadership
• Enhanced problem-solving abilities
• Increased employee engagement and satisfaction.

The impact of soft skills training and how to measure it

Effective evaluation of your organization’s soft skills training program is key to its long-term success. Conducting pre- and post-training assessments to measure effectiveness, surveying for employee feedback, and creating opportunities for employees to self-evaluate can all inform your training process. 

Ensure a comprehensive, 360-degree feedback system that involves all stakeholders, and consider the following evaluation methods: 

• Knowledge checks and quiz results from online training programs
• Surveys to gather subjective insights into the effectiveness of the training
• Observing real-life applications of the skills learned
• Assessing knowledge retention rates to measure the long-term impact of the training

Investing in soft skills training programs is essential for enhancing employee performance, fostering better workplace relationships, and driving overall organizational success. By understanding the key benefits, differentiating between soft and hard skills, and focusing on developing essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management, organizations can create a more dynamic and effective workforce.

Looking for more strategies to improve employee soft skills? Read our e-book: Top 3 Soft Skills Your Employees Need In the New World of Work.