Developing Soft Skills Training for New Managers!

Transitioning from individual contributor to people manager brings a seismic shift in required competencies. While new managers may excel technically, they often struggle translating technical prowess into leadership abilities. This highlights the imperative of soft skills training.

The most effective manager training focuses on emotional intelligence, communication, influence, conflict resolution, coaching and motivation. These timeless talents separate good bosses from great ones.

Training should balance self-reflection with real plays. Assessments like DiSC profiles, management style inventories and 360 reviews build self-awareness. Targeted coaching and mentoring provides growth opportunities in weak zones.

Practice sessions develop muscle memory for high-stakes interactions like delicate feedback discussions, tough negotiations, interviewing, and presentations to senior executives. Allow for mistakes in the safety of simulations.

Emphasize listening over talking. Training must shift mindsets from telling employees what to do towards asking thoughtful questions and deeply understanding needs first. Curb tendencies to interrupt.

Also underscore the softer side of leadership - compassion, vulnerability, patience and inclusive thinking. These attributes breed trust and loyalty over time.

While subject mastery remains important, technically-gifted individual performers often underestimate the extreme people richness of management. Develop this “people IQ” deliberately through soft skills training to successfully navigate leadership transitions. Support new managers and watch them flourish.

Tomuz Academy