The Power of Social Skills Training for Managers

Social skills training (SST) can be a powerful tool for managers and leaders looking to enhance their communication, build stronger relationships and improve team dynamics in the workplace

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Better Up

Social skills training (SST) can be a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their effectiveness as a manager or leader in the workplace. Whether you’re already in a leadership role or aspiring to take on more responsibility, enhancing your social skills is key to becoming a more confident communicator and building stronger relationships with colleagues.

SST focuses on developing crucial interpersonal skills, including active listening, empathy, assertiveness and clear communication, all of which are essential for effective leadership.

For managers, having well-developed social skills can lead to improved team dynamics, better conflict resolution and more successful negotiations. It can help you navigate challenging conversations, whether you’re giving constructive feedback, facilitating discussions, or managing team expectations.

Social Skills Training Areas

Active Listening: Active listening involves fully concentrating on, understanding and thoughtfully responding to the speaker. It goes beyond merely hearing words—it’s about engaging with the speaker on a deeper level.

Conflict Resolution: In the workplace, disagreements and differing opinions are inevitable, but how you handle them can significantly impact team dynamics and productivity. Effective conflict resolution involves understanding the root cause of the issue, actively listening to all parties involved and finding common ground.

Emotional Regulation: In the workplace, emotional regulation is a crucial skill for maintaining composure, especially during high-pressure or stressful situations. Being able to manage and process strong emotions – such as frustration, anger, or anxiety – helps you respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

Training Techniques

Habit reversal

Habit reversal training is a behavioural intervention technique designed to help individuals replace unproductive or unwanted workplace habits with more positive, constructive ones. For example, if you find yourself repeatedly checking your phone during meetings, habit reversal could involve using a stress-relief tool to redirect your attention in a more productive way.

Modeling

Modeling in social skills training involves observing and imitating the behaviours or communication techniques of individuals who excel in specific areas, such as effective public speaking or conflict resolution. For example, if someone wants to improve their public speaking abilities, they might observe a skilled presenter to see how they engage their audience, manage their body language and structure their message.

Role-playing

Role-playing is an effective way to practice and enhance social skills in the workplace. It has been shown to improve confidence and communication abilities in professional settings. During role-playing, employees collaborate with colleagues to simulate real-world scenarios they might encounter on the job. For example, you could practice delivering a presentation or speech with a colleague to refine your speaking skills and receive constructive feedback.

While social skills training may not work for everyone, it can be highly effective for individuals looking to improve their problem-solving and conflict-resolution abilities. SST helps leaders to develop the communication skills and language needed to navigate challenging situations, enabling you to set clear boundaries and express your needs more effectively.