The Hard Work of Teaching Soft Skills, Virtually

In 1987, I found myself standing in front of 20 New York City police officers in a Manhattan classroom to teach them how to successfully manage people with emotional disturbances when they become confused, angry and a potential threat. I’d just started my career as a soft skills trainer, and, as terrified as I was, I also knew that being in the room with those cops and bringing to bear my interpersonal skills and experience as a professional stage actor would help me to help them learn new behaviors. Back then, in-person, “hands on” experiential learning was the gold standard of soft skills training.

I would argue it still is, yet today, most learning and development (L&D) organizations must provide in-depth, engaging and effective soft skills training using online and virtual learning techniques and technologies that are, in many cases, new or still under development. On top of this challenge, as always, they must ensure that online soft skills training triggers and supports long-term, positive behavioral change and development. Due to the many challenges that virtual training presents, it’s a tall order.

It’s important to break down online soft skills training programs into smaller modules and multiple sessions.

Gregg’s full article is featured in Training Industry Magazine, read it here.