For decades, businesses have struggled with the lack of soft skills in employees at all levels of the corporate hierarchy. This scenario applies to fresh hires, employees on the growth track, and even senior management. The absence of effective soft skills training for employees in college and professional courses has prompted some businesses to invest in closing this gap themselves.

Statistics indicate a significant growth in business spending on the soft skills training market, which is expected to grow from $25.8 billion in 2022 to $63.6 billion by 2030. Similarly, the market is projected to expand by USD 315.6 million between 2023 and 2028, underscoring the growing recognition of their value.

However, unlike technical skills, soft skills are more challenging to build. They must be nurtured in a live environment, with practice and hands-on experience. This is where online learning, or eLearning, offers several advantages over traditional classroom lectures. This blog deconstructs contemporary soft skill-building methods in a technology-led, sustainable training environment.

Table of Contents:

What is Soft Skills Training?

Soft skills training refers to structured programs designed to empower the workforce in cultivating professional attitudes, social skills, and personal attributes that drive effective business outcomes. These abilities, which include emotional intelligence, a positive attitude, and creativity, are just as crucial as technical skills for professional success.

A recent survey identified the top 10 emerging soft skills in demand at the workplace. In the top 25% wage bracket, strategic thinking emerged as the top soft skill in 65% of job advertisements for higher-paid roles. The other nine skills include negotiation, persuasion, presentation skills, critical thinking, mentoring, innovation, emotional intelligence, financial management, and resilience.

Each of these can be further broken down into multiple sub-skills. For example, emotional intelligence consists of self-awareness, empathy, motivation, and social skills. In the same way, critical thinking comprises analysis, evaluation, deductive reasoning, and synthesis. The increasing demand for these skills is highlighted by the fact that 70% of corporate leaders report a significant skills gap within their organizations.

The Importance of Soft Skills Training for Employees

Many organizations now realize that soft skills are essential for career advancement and productive teamwork. Effective communication, for example, helps prevent misunderstandings and errors, especially in high-pressure situations where clear information is vital.

Here are some key reasons why soft skills development should be an integral part of any employee training program:

1. Enhances Leadership and Team Performance

Leadership soft skills are crucial for understanding employees’ needs, building valuable relationships, and ultimately, enhancing team performance. Leaders with strong interpersonal skills can motivate their teams more effectively and create a positive work environment.

2. Streamlines Processes and Resolves Issues

Strong collaboration and effective communication streamline processes and help resolve issues faster, which minimizes errors and delays. When team members can communicate complex data and ideas clearly, it optimizes efficiency across all operations.

3. Demonstrates Value in Employee Development

Investing in soft skills training shows employees that their personal and professional development is valued. This commitment can significantly improve staff retention and loyalty. Furthermore, skills like active listening and empathy are crucial for handling complex client issues and building lasting customer relationships.

4. Fosters Informed Decision-Making

Modern business operations often involve complex circumstances that require well-informed choices. Developing soft skills is essential for employees to evaluate scenarios, think through various options, and make decisions that prioritize safety, compliance, and overall business objectives.

How eLearning is Revolutionizing Soft Skills Training

Today, eLearning has evolved significantly with the growing adoption of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Gamification, and Robotic Automation.

Here’s a snapshot of how contemporary eLearning adds value to soft skills training for employees:

1. Enables Virtual Learning

One of the biggest advantages of eLearning is that businesses can eliminate traditional infrastructure requirements such as conference rooms, facilitators, and logistics management. Workers can learn online from their mobile phones, and they can log in anytime from wherever they are located. This arrangement works well for traditional, hybrid, and remote workforces. Consequently, businesses can offer remote training programs across geographies and onboard new hires onto their learning platforms from day one, reducing the costs and efforts invested in employee training.

2. Drives Higher Engagement Levels

Online training has the potential to make learning an interactive, accessible, and inclusive experience. Instructors can create course material that leverages videos, audio, podcasts, eBooks, infographics, and 3D models. Additionally, gamification, social learning, and collaborative projects can further enhance interactivity and keep learners engaged.

3. Builds Data-driven Learning Experiences

A superior AI-powered Learning Management System (LMS) comes with built-in predictive analytics, which can forecast trends and offer insights to instructors designing the content. Businesses can access team members’ learning patterns, see which modules are working well, and understand how to design future programs to bridge learning gaps. This allows for daily tracking of progress and corresponding adjustments to training content.

4. Creates Personalized Training Paths

Working professionals have diverse roles and capabilities. Therefore, standardized training programs are often not effective in bridging all skill gaps. eLearning has paved the way for personalized training paths, allowing each team member’s soft skills training to be customized to their specific needs. This personalization can drive higher engagement and boost learning effectiveness.

5. Provides 24/7 On-demand Training Access

Today’s professionals seek flexibility in their learning journeys. In this regard, 24/7 access to a rich digital library of dedicated employee training resources allows professionals to learn according to their own schedules and needs. For instance, if a team member has to prepare for a challenging sales pitch, they can quickly access videos or eBooks with relevant sales and negotiation content. This makes the learning journey more relevant and accessible for real-time needs.

6. Offers Live Training Opportunities

Hands-on experience is an essential aspect of soft skills training. While traditional learning might use role-plays to simulate workplace scenarios, this process can be cumbersome and costly. The adoption of AR and VR in eLearning is addressing this challenge. A VR-based soft skills training study with new managers found that learners were four times faster to train than in a classroom, 275% more confident to apply skills after training, and 3.75 times more emotionally connected to the content. Live simulations using AR/VR technologies enable professionals to practice their skills in a wide range of realistic scenarios, allowing for continuous practice and enhancement.

Top 10 Methods for Soft Skills Training for Employees

Let’s have a look at some of the tried-and-tested methods to encourage soft skills training for employees:

1. Conversation Simulations

Conversation simulations are immersive exercises that replicate real-life interactions in a safe, controlled environment. Using interactive technology with virtual characters, employees can practice their communication and interpersonal skills. By experiencing challenging situations and receiving immediate feedback, employees develop their ability to communicate effectively, show empathy, and handle difficult conversations.

2. Scenario-Based Learning

This method involves presenting employees with realistic case studies that reflect common workplace situations. Participants analyze the scenario, make decisions, and solve problems using their soft skills. These scenarios encourage critical thinking and practical application, helping employees develop problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and communication skills while understanding the consequences of their actions in a simulated environment.

3. Story-Based Learning

Story-based learning uses narratives to convey important lessons about soft skills. Stories have a powerful impact on engagement, making them an effective tool. Through compelling narratives, employees can relate to characters, empathize with their experiences, and gain insights into the application of different soft skills, which enhances retention.

4. Role Plays

Role-playing involves participants taking on different roles in simulated scenarios. By assuming specific roles, they experience different perspectives and engage in realistic interactions. This method allows employees to apply communication, empathy, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills in a dynamic setting, with opportunities for immediate feedback and reflection.

5. Instructor-Led Workshops

Instructor-led workshops provide valuable opportunities for employees to engage in interactive sessions, group activities, and role-playing exercises. These workshops facilitate hands-on learning, immediate feedback, and peer collaboration, enabling employees to enhance their soft skills through practical application.

6. Synchronous Online Soft Skills Training

Synchronous online training offers a dynamic and interactive experience that combines live instruction with the flexibility of online platforms. These sessions provide opportunities for real-time engagement and collaboration. By leveraging the convenience of synchronous sessions, organizations can effectively enhance employees’ soft skills, regardless of their location.

7. Role-Modeling and Mentoring

Pairing employees with experienced mentors who exemplify desired behaviors allows for practical learning through observation, guidance, and feedback. Managers and supervisors should also provide constructive feedback and coaching to help employees refine their skills. This ongoing support promotes a culture of continuous improvement.

8. Team Building Activities

Team-building activities allow employees to collaborate, communicate, and develop essential soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution. Interactive exercises and workshops enhance interpersonal skills while fostering stronger team dynamics.

9. Peer Learning and Collaboration

Encouraging peer learning allows employees to share experiences, insights, and best practices. Platforms that facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaboration can enhance the learning experience and create a culture of continuous learning within the organization.

10. Assessment and Performance Tracking

Regular assessment and performance tracking help measure the effectiveness of soft skills training programs and identify areas for improvement. Utilizing performance metrics and feedback enables organizations to track progress and make data-driven decisions to refine their training initiatives.

Before implementing any of these methods, conducting a needs assessment is crucial to identifying specific soft skills requirements within the organization. Customizing training content and delivery methods to address these needs ensures relevance and maximizes impact.

How to Enhance Soft Skills Development

Identifying skill gaps and determining which soft skills to include in your training programs is essential. Here are some key steps to create an effective program.

Step 1: Follow the Pre-Requisites for Offering Soft Skills Training

First, analyze the best training modules and delivery methods for your professionals. This includes incorporating a variety of formats, like:

  • Scenarios or Case Studies
  • Interactive Videos
  • Social Polls and Assessments
  • Microlearning with mobile performance support
  • Training Materials like fact sheets, workbooks, and eLearning modules

Step 2: Determine Advanced Training Methods

Next, decide on the format and delivery method. Options include:

  • Face-to-face training for hands-on learning.
  • eLearning courses for flexible, independent learning.
  • Virtual Reality for immersive experiences, such as VR simulations for practicing skills in high-pressure situations.

Step 3: Choose Appropriate Digital Tools

If you opt for digital modules, select an authoring tool that meets your development needs. Consider your team’s experience with eLearning tools, your budget, and the complexity of the project.

Step 4: Build Relevant Training Content

Use pre-built templates or create materials from scratch with your L&D and HR teams. For effective results, use interactive formats like quizzes, branched scenarios, and videos to keep employees engaged.

Step 5: Apply Blended Learning Approaches

Finally, use a blended learning approach. For example, you might introduce a concept online, followed by a face-to-face workshop for hands-on practice, and then use VR simulations to reinforce the learning.

Understanding Localization in Soft Skills Training

Localization is the process of adapting content and methods to meet the cultural, linguistic, and contextual needs of a diverse audience. This is crucial for organizations aiming to enhance their workforce’s ability to collaborate and lead effectively across various cultural contexts.

Forrester highlights that localization is critical for building a trusted brand reputation. Their study found that 75% of B2B buyers consider having sales materials in their language very important. According to McKinsey, the real challenge in training is ensuring it translates into measurable performance improvements, which often requires addressing employee mindsets. Culturally adapted training programs can foster greater engagement by tailoring content to the specific needs of global teams.

Challenges of Idioms and Colloquialisms

Idioms and colloquialisms present several challenges in communication, as they are often deeply embedded in cultural contexts and can lead to misunderstandings for non-native speakers.

  1. Context-Dependence: Idioms like “kick the bucket” rely on context for their meaning, which can be missed without the right background.
  2. Ambiguity: Many idioms can be understood in different ways. For example, “hit the nail on the head” could be taken literally.
  3. Cultural Nuances: An idiom like “the early bird catches the worm” reflects cultural values that may not be universal.
  4. Language Evolution: New idioms become trendy while others fall out of use, which can confuse learners.
  5. Lack of Direct Translation: Phrases like “it’s raining cats and dogs” often have no direct equivalent in other languages.
  6. Contextual Variability: The meaning of an idiom can shift depending on the surrounding discussion, requiring a precise understanding of the context.
  7. Cognitive Load: For learners, mastering idioms increases cognitive load as they must remember both the phrases and their appropriate contexts.
  8. Emotional Connotations: Idioms often carry an emotional weight, like in “bit off more than he can chew,” which may not translate well.

Strategies for Effective Localization

To overcome these challenges, organizations can implement targeted strategies to ensure their messages are understood and appreciated by diverse stakeholders.

1. Methods of Translating

  • Literal vs. Adaptive Translation: Deciding between literal and adaptive translation is key. Adaptive translation, which finds culturally appropriate substitutes, is often more effective.
  • Contextual Understanding: Using tools like SDL Trados can help maintain the original context and tone, ensuring translations are accurate.

2. Adapting to the Culture

  • Studying Local Norms: Understanding local communication styles and norms, such as levels of formality and humor, is essential.
  • Involving Local Specialists: Working with native speakers and localization experts helps ensure content is culturally suitable and resonates with the intended audience.

3. Leveraging Localization Services

  • Choosing the Right Provider: Partnering with specialized services like Lionbridge can enhance content quality and ensure accurate adaptation.
  • Utilizing Technology: Modern AI-based translation and machine learning can streamline the adaptation process and ensure consistency across languages.

Best Practices for Localizing Soft Skills Training

The following are the best practices for soft skills localization training:

1. Developing a Localization Strategy

Creating a robust localization strategy involves understanding the target audience’s cultural and linguistic needs and developing a plan to adapt content accordingly. This strategy should align with the training objectives to ensure that localized content is relevant and practical.

2. Oversight and Assessment of Localization Initiatives

Organizations should monitor metrics like participant input, levels of engagement, and training results to measure the effectiveness of localization. Continuous assessment and adjustment with user input enhances the quality of tailored content and guarantees its relevance to various audiences.

3. Involving Local Stakeholders

Utilizing local partners during the localization process will guarantee that the training materials accurately represent the audience. Local partners can recognize crucial cultural nuances, preferences, and sensitivities that outsiders would not be able to detect, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the training.

The Takeaway

Building soft skills is as vital in workplace learning as developing domain and business skills. However, a few sessions in a classroom are not enough. Soft skills training must be an ongoing, engaging process that offers workers opportunities for continuous practice and application. Early investments in superior online training can help businesses identify key gaps and build highly effective, data-driven programs in an agile and cost-effective learning environment.

Investing in employee soft skills training programs is a strategic move that yields numerous benefits for both individuals and the organization. By adopting a comprehensive approach that includes online training, workshops, mentoring, and assessments, you can equip your workforce with the essential skills needed for success.

If your business is looking to revamp its training strategy, consider partnering with Hurix Digital. Our expertise in building superior tech-enabled frameworks can meet all your training needs. Reach out to us to start a conversation and leverage our virtual training models for your business.