[Infographic] 7 Soft Skills Training Topics to Invest in This Year

Today's workplace looks much different than it did just a few years ago. With those changes, new demands have emerged, including the heightened importance of soft skills. In fact, McKinsey has found that the areas of development getting the most attention from companies are social, emotional, and advanced cognitive skills.

To help you determine which soft skills training topics should be at the top of the priority list, check out the following infographic.   

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many have longed for a "return to normal." Two years later, this seems nearly impossible given the significant change that has occurred within individuals and the organizations they work for.

As such, we must adapt "new normal," while also preparing for the change that will inevitably come in the future. To do this, an investment in soft skills training content that develops one's transferable, human-centric skills will be absolutely essential.

Here are seven specific skills and topics to look for this year as you seek out soft skills training courses.

Growth mindset

In a world of constant change, individuals need to continually develop their skills, learn from their mistakes, and tackle challenges, no matter how big or small and that requires a growth mindset. Those who have a growth mindset are likely to experience higher engagement, resilience, creativity, and performance.

Intellectual curiosity 

Intellectual curiosity is a genuine desire to learn, understand, and ask tough questions in the pursuit of truly comprehending a topic. As the President and CEO of Nasdaq once said, "If it's a cliche to say that intellectual curiosity keeps your mind sharp, your senses alert, and your capabilities cutting-edge, that's because it's true."

Resilience 

It is a substantial competitive advantage to be able to recover quickly from adversity, bounce back from failure, and come out stronger and more determined to win. The time to hone resilience skills is before you need them and can be learned through training, experience, and practice.

Virtual collaboration

All too often, superficial interactions like scheduling a Zoom meeting or posting a meme in Slack are touted as virtual collaboration. However, true collaboration in a virtual/hybrid work environment requires individuals to know how to exchange information, brainstorm, and share feedback with the appropriate technology.

Creativity 

It's not every day that LinkedIn Learning boldly announces the most important skill in the world, but that's exactly what claimed creativity to be. This is not surprising given that individuals who are creative are able to form original ideas, innovate, and identify solutions to problems; all of which are important to be able to do regardless of seniority, job function, or industry.

Connectivity 

As a result of the pandemic and the subsequent shift to virtual work, many feel more disconnected from their peers, leaders, and organizations than ever before. That's why building relationships is essential, which requires empathy, authenticity, vulnerability, and listening skills.

Storytelling

In a data-driven world that emphasizes facts and insights, storytelling is a highly sought-after and hugely beneficial skill. When used effectively, it improves an audience's ability to retain information for longer. In fact, it has been found that we are 22 times more likely to remember a fact that is wrapped in a story than solely discussing numbers.

Conclusion

What good is it to invest in soft skills training for employeesthat doesn't cover the topics that you really need to succeed in the world of work today and tomorrow?

With Niagara Institute's Future Skills program, you won't just take a deeper dive into the topics listed above, you'll participate in an experiential learning experience that prioritizes practice and discussion. The benefit of this is that you'll leave feeling confident in your ability to apply what you've learned to your unique reality.