Most job postings will focus on a long list of technical skill and experience requirements. Software engineers may need experience with certain programming languages, for example, and some nursing roles may require specific degrees or certifications.

So workers are going out to get the experience and education they need only to still feel like they’re struggling either landing a job or landing career advancement opportunities.

Increasingly, soft skills are a contributing factor.

Managers across industries are reporting challenges with employees who have all the required technical experience but lack the soft skills needed to either advance their careers or even work effectively in their existing teams. And workers are noticing it themselves, too.

Jana Van der Veer, one of our EdAssist® academic coaches, shared that the coaching team has noticed an influx of workers who are seeking help improving their soft skills. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the best ways you can develop critical skills like communication, collaboration, and public speaking.

What are soft skills and why do they matter?

Soft skills are the interpersonal, communication, and behavioral abilities that determine how effectively you work with others and navigate workplace relationships. Unlike technical or "hard" skills that are specific to particular jobs or industries, soft skills are transferable across roles and organizations.

Key soft skills include:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Emotional intelligence
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Time management

Why soft skills matter

These skills determine whether you can collaborate effectively, influence others, manage conflict, and adapt to changing workplace demands.

While technical expertise might get you hired, soft skills often determine whether you advance in your career. They're particularly crucial for leadership roles, client-facing positions, and collaborative work environments.

For technical professionals especially, soft skills can be the differentiator that sets you apart. You might be an excellent programmer, analyst, or engineer, but if you can't explain your work to non-technical stakeholders, lead a project team, or present recommendations convincingly, your career advancement may be limited.

Consider targeted education and training

While low-cost options are valuable, sometimes more structured education can accelerate your soft skills development, especially if you're looking to advance into leadership roles or change career directions entirely.

1.  Pursue an MBA in leadership

 If you're ready for a comprehensive leadership development experience, consider an MBA with a leadership concentration. An MBA in Organizational Leadership, for example, could be a great option.

These programs combine strategic business knowledge with advanced leadership theory and practice, preparing you for senior management roles while providing extensive networking opportunities with other aspiring leaders.

If your employer offers continued education benefits, there’s a good chance that they would help cover costs for an MBA program that’s relevant to your current or aspirational position within the company.

2. Explore leadership graduate certificates if you're unsure about an MBA

If you're considering an MBA but aren't ready for that level of commitment, some graduate certificates offer a focused alternative. These programs typically concentrate on essential leadership and management skills without the broader business curriculum of a full MBA program.

Certificates are particularly valuable if you already have strong technical skills and need to add leadership capabilities, or if you want to test your interest in management before committing to a larger degree program.

3. Look for non-credit professional development courses

Many universities and professional organizations offer non-credit courses or stackable skills training specifically designed for working professionals. These courses focus on practical skills like project management, conflict resolution, team leadership, and strategic communication.

The advantage of non-credit courses is that they're typically shorter, more affordable, and immediately applicable to your current role. You can often take them while continuing to work full-time.

There are also a number of courses on Coursera, LinkedIn, and other educational platforms that offer short-term, inexpensive, noncredit courses in these areas.

One thing to keep in mind: Some employers have strict education assistance benefits. If courses aren’t accredited or for credit, they may not cover the costs. You can check your benefits or consult with a policy expert if you’re unsure.

4. Attend workshops focused on specific skills

Look for workshops that target your specific development areas. If you struggle with difficult conversations, find conflict resolution workshops. If you need to improve your presentation skills, seek out courses on executive communication or storytelling with data.

Many professional associations offer these types of targeted workshops as part of their member benefits, making them both affordable and relevant to your industry.

5. Take advantage of company-sponsored training programs

Check with your employer about internal training and development programs. Many organizations offer leadership development programs, communication training, or tuition assistance for relevant courses.

If your company partners with EdAssist, you may have access to coaching services that can help you identify the right training opportunities and navigate your professional development strategically.

Find low-cost ways to practice

Developing soft skills doesn't require expensive courses or formal education. Some of the most effective skill-building opportunities are available for little to no cost and provide real-world practice in supportive environments.

6. Join Toastmasters for communication and leadership skills

Toastmasters International offers one of the most accessible and effective ways to develop communication and leadership skills. Local chapters meet regularly and provide a safe space to practice public speaking and receive constructive feedback. You can both gain skills and develop confidence.

Soft skill development takes time, and starting small is often a good way to go. Toastmasters’ structured approach to skill development is particularly valuable. You'll work through progressively challenging speaking assignments while also having opportunities to take on leadership roles within the organization.

Jana recently helped an introverted game coder who excelled at their job but was nervous when they found out they’d need to be presenting in front of company leadership. In this case, the best move is to practice presenting technical concepts to small groups of colleagues or friends before taking on high-stakes presentations.

7. Look for Dale Carnegie courses

Dale Carnegie courses have been helping professionals develop soft skills for decades. These courses focus on practical skills like public speaking, leadership development, and interpersonal communication. They're available both online and through local chapters, making them accessible regardless of your schedule or location.

The courses are designed for working professionals and focus on real-world application. You'll practice skills in realistic scenarios and learn techniques you can immediately apply in your workplace.

If your company only supports courses taken for academic credit, the University of Central Missouri offers Dale Carnegie Institute courses for academic credit, focusing on communication, presentation skills, and leadership. You can contact UCM directly for more information about these courses.

8. Volunteer in roles that stretch your soft skills

Volunteering provides excellent opportunities to develop soft skills while contributing to causes you care about.

If you want to improve leadership skills, for example, volunteer to coordinate events or lead committees after you’ve spent time learning the ropes. And if communication is your focus, look for opportunities that involve public speaking or training others.

Learn from those around you

Learning from those around you allows you to see soft skills in action and understand how they're applied in different contexts. It also provides opportunities to receive personalized feedback and mentorship from people who understand your industry and professional challenges.

9. Shadow business leaders to understand their perspective

If possible, arrange to shadow managers or executives to understand how they think about problems and make decisions. This exposure helps you understand what information business leaders need and how they prefer to receive it.

Pay attention to how they communicate, how they prioritize competing demands, and what questions they ask. This insight will help you tailor your communication style to be more effective with senior stakeholders.

10. Find a mentor who successfully bridges tech and business

Look for someone in your organization or industry who has successfully made the transition from technical contributor to business leader. They can provide practical advice on developing the skills you need and navigating the cultural differences between technical and business environments.

A good mentor can also provide opportunities to practice your developing skills in real-world situations and offer feedback on your progress.

Building skills for long-term success

Improving your soft skills is an investment in your long-term career success, whether you're looking to advance in your current field or considering a transition to something entirely new. The key is to approach skill development strategically, starting with a clear understanding of where you are and where you want to go.

It’s important to make a plan to practice your new skills. You can make it part of your professional development goals with your manager, for example, you want to identify specific strategies for developing them. “Soft skill development” can feel nebulous, but if you have a goal  like “present new data effectively at the next stakeholder meeting,” you can come up with a plan.

When coming up with a plan, you can ask yourself:

• What leadership opportunities can you take on to stretch your skills?
• What would practice for“improving communication” or “get better at receiving feedback” entail?
• What specific practices do you want to put into effect?

Whether you're joining Toastmasters to build confidence, pursuing a leadership certificate to prepare for management roles, or working with a mentor to bridge technical and business skills, the investment you make in developing these capabilities will pay dividends throughout your career.

If you're ready to take the next step in developing your soft skills, there are plenty of options available. You can talk to your manager or HR team about any internal training or educational assistance benefits that you can leverage to help your career advancement.

Looking for more ways to advance your career? Check out EdAssist’s LevelUp Studio for resources like blog posts, webinars, and more!