What are Leadership Soft Skills?
To be skilled at leadership you need to be capable of drawing on a tool box of soft skills. Inspirea believes great leaders shape the world driving better business, better wellbeing for employees and thereby a better society. Therefore to help YOU to be an even greater leader we will use this article to explore what these soft skills are and provide you with a quiz to test yourself on how you are performing across each of them. This will allow you to prioritise which soft skills to learn rather than be overwhelmed with attempting to arbitrarily learn all or some of them.
Explore if you have what it takes to be a great leader:
Leadership Soft Skills Quiz
So, first, what are soft skills?
A soft skill refers to a set of interpersonal, communication, and emotional intelligence abilities that enable someone to navigate various social situations with skill. Soft skills are often related to how individuals approach tasks, handle relationships, and contribute to a team or work environment. They are generally more about behaviour and interactions rather than technical knowledge, and unlike leadership qualities they are learned and not innate to the person.
The top 12 soft skills for leadership
Communication
Empathy
Decision making
Adaptability
Conflict resolution
Delegation
Time Management
Emotional intelligence
Visionary thinking
Accountability
Action Oriented
Resilient
Although many other soft skills could be learned these twelve soft skills work together to make a powerful leader. Each skill is important to leadership for different reasons and can be hard to learn because every scenario you encounter has different people, different emotions, and different goals. To start you on the journey of learning about soft skills we will go one by one through the top 12 exploring the questions:
What is this soft skill really?
Why is it hard to learn?
Why is it important to learn this skill professionally and personally?
If you want to find-out how you perform in each soft skill complete the quiz. You will also receive a Soft Skill email series teaching you about the skill and explaining how you can develop these skills. This information will help you become the credible and competent leader you are destined to be and allow you to continue your high achievement streak by positively impacting teams and maybe even the world.
Let’s begin!
Communication
What is it? Communication is the ability to convey ideas clearly, listen actively, and adjust your message based on the audience.
So, in more detail, communication is the ability to structure information so that the person receiving the information understands it. (See our email series for more information on types of communication styles by completing the quiz.) But, did you catch that? Being a good communicator is also the ability to listen. Often we think we are a good communicator or not based on the thought “I think I gave a strong, clear message”. In reality, you are a good communicator if the person you are trying to give the message to actually receives and understands the message. This requires strong listening skills, and the ability to repeat or adapt communication as the need arises.
Thoughts of this kind that seem reasonable but actually hold you back from being your most successful are completely normal. Coaching can help you recognize and challenge them, enabling you to move beyond assumptions and gain a crystal-clear understanding of the reality of your situation.
So why is it hard to learn? Effective communication involves emotional intelligence (covered later), the ability to communicate with different mediums and styles, adaptability to your audience, and listening skills. All of these take time to learn and your patience.
Why is it important to learn this soft skill?
For your team, strong communication fosters collaboration, reduces misunderstandings, and enhances team cohesion. This then ultimately improves relationships, boosts morale, and drives efficiency, productivity, and success in the team.
It doesn’t stop there though, these skills can be taken home to benefit your relationships there. The partner of a strong communicator will know where they stand in the relationship and will feel heard. This makes for a healthy and safe relationship. Also, in a globalized world, leaders who communicate effectively bridge gaps between cultures, teams, and organizations, building understanding and collaboration. In our complex world, who doesn’t need that?! In fact, looking at the news, I think we need people with great communication skills right now!
Empathy
What is it? Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, showing compassion and support.
Why is it hard to learn?
Empathy requires emotional awareness and the ability to put oneself in another's shoes, which can be challenging in stressful environments. Let’s also be honest, when it is ‘you vs them’ in a disagreement it can be hard to put the ego down long enough to hear the person and show them you understand them.
Why is it important to learn empathy?
By showing someone you understand, the individual feels heard and valuable which builds trust, loyalty, and motivation. A supportive work environment of this kind is also often more inclusive and therefore naturally more innovative making you more competitive in your market.* As it also drives retention (as people like to work in supportive environments) it means your organisation does not suffer knowledge loss (also, known as knowledge drain) which means strong performance.
Practicing empathy at work can also improve empathy skills at home and in the world. As empathy drives better understanding it can improve relationships and reduce conflict and therefore we want as much if not more understanding at home compared to work.
*Did you know: We often think of inclusivity around race and gender etc. (i.e. DEI - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and as we should, but it also includes being open to new ideas and perspectives. Lots of studies show better inclusivity drives more innovation in the company due to a wider range of ideas and background experiences leading to greater commercial success. (See this article from Forbes or a research paper on Research Gate)
Emotional Intelligence
What is it? Emotional intelligence (sometimes known as EI or EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions, as well as those of others.
Why is it hard to learn? It requires deep self-awareness and the ability to regulate emotions, which can be difficult, especially under stress. You also need to know enough about the psychology of others to be able to navigate the various personalities and traits of others through your leadership journey.
Why is it important? Emotional intelligence is the bedrock of empathy and fosters healthy relationships through improved communication. As you can handle your own emotions as well as others it is a great tool to manage stress and overall well-being. Likewise, individuals with this skill can turn conflict into collaboration making for supportive, resilient communities and workplaces.
A few thoughts for you,
Do you think ‘I wish my team/partner/friend never upset/annoyed/triggered me?
Do you ever wonder why someone is so emotional with you but it seems overly exaggerated and you are not sure why, or it is hard to understand why they are emotional in the first place?
If you answered yes to either of these or see similarities in how you feel or think, this can suggest that coaching would be useful for you as it will help you learn the skills needed to understand what is happening and how to handle it. Without this, your responses may be reasonable and justified but you are still making decisions without the full picture at hand.
Decision-Making
What is it? Decision-making is the ability to make informed, timely decisions by evaluating all options and considering potential outcomes.
Why is it hard to learn? Leaders often face uncertainty, pressure, and conflicting priorities, making it hard to make decisions with confidence. It is also a balancing act. Do you wait longer to get more information to make a higher quality decision, or do you make the decision quickly because it allows you to make a move that might save you time and make you more competitive in the market? Different personalities have different perspectives on this but as a leader, you need to be able to strike the right balance for the situation at hand.
You also have to be okay with the knowledge that some people will disagree with your decisions at some point and yet act anyway. This can be tough for people with imposter syndrome or people pleasers as your confidence is impacted and your anxiety may already be running higher. Imposter syndrome and people-pleasing are not uncommon but can benefit from coaching so that you are not held back by thoughts or ideas that are not helpful.
Why is it important? Effective decision-making guides teams toward their goals, ensures progress, and maintains momentum. This all makes you more effective against your competitors. Similarly, clear decisions allow teams to create efficient workflows and communication is also easier meaning reduced confusion and better efficiency. This ultimately leads to better outcomes for teams.
Adaptability
What is it? Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new situations and challenges quickly and effectively.
Why is it hard to learn? It requires you to be aware of what is happening around you so that you pick up the information that suggests you need to adapt. At these moments it requires a flexible mindset with the emotional resilience to explain change to your team with confidence.
You also need a flexible mindset that focuses on the ultimate objective or goal rather than the perfection of the task at hand. Naturally, this can be hard for perfectionists and coaching can be helpful in understanding the balance and bigger picture.
Why is it important? Adaptability enables leaders to thrive in change and lead teams through transitions. Think of it this way, an agile team cannot exist without an adaptable leader, and agile teams are needed for quick, effective problem-solving and to maintain a competitive advantage.
We also know that the world is ever-changing with new technologies emerging, changes in living standards that alter how customers buy products, and changing demands of customer needs. We need to be adaptable to meet these changes. Likewise, in our personal lives, it is inevitable that at some point in time, a change will occur and if we are adaptable we will be more resilient in handling it.
Conflict Resolution
What is it? The ability to resolve disagreements and tensions in a constructive, fair, and calm manner.
Why is it hard to learn? Conflict often triggers emotional responses which means we can add to the conflict rather than manage it to a clear conclusion. Also, we need to understand the types of conflict that are professional and helpful (drive resolution, understanding, and a clear picture of the path ahead, perhaps best called ‘collaborative conflicts’ or ‘safe conversations’) and those that are unreasonable. On top of this, we need to strike a balance of fairness vs authority (say, allowing conflict to occur and shutting it down with authority). Also, if this conflict is with you it can be very hard to find this balance as objectivity can be lost. Again, a coach or a mentor can help you to navigate this as you start out on your leadership journey by helping you step back objectively to see what is really happening and helpful.
Why is it important? Resolving conflicts effectively promotes a positive work environment, reduces stress, and ensures productivity. Also converting conflict to collaboration can generate new, exciting outcomes. Who doesn’t want a more collaborative, less stressful work environment, world, or home life?!
Delegation
What is it? Delegation is the ability to assign tasks and responsibilities to others while providing the necessary resources and guidance.
Why is it hard to learn? It can be hard to trust others to take on important tasks especially if we aren’t sure when or how to check-in on progress. If we get it wrong we are micro-managing and if we allow individuals to totally ‘do their own thing’ without your guidance or oversight there can be misunderstandings and missed objectives that become impossible to fix as deadlines pass.
Why is it important? Delegation helps the leader to focus on tasks no one else would do, such as keeping an eye on the bigger picture. It also can help to develop and grow employees who can now step up to a task which also builds trust and a sense of pride in the team. It can increase efficiency and therefore drive the performance of the team thus driving scalability.
If you find yourself saying any of the following this is a strong indicator that you would benefit from coaching and training support:
It’s faster if I just do it myself.
No one else can do it as well as I can. / It is better if I just do it myself.
I don’t want my team to think I am passing my work off to them.
I am worried I will overload my team.
If I delegate this, I won’t know what is going on.
Time Management
What is it? The ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively to meet goals and deadlines.
Why is it hard to learn? Many people don’t have the skills to be good at time management or are not naturally good at it. Likewise, once a poor time management habit is learned it can be difficult to break. Also, balancing multiple priorities can feel overwhelming which can lead to procrastination which further negatively affects your time.
It is worth noting some individuals, such as neuro-divergent people, can benefit from a different approach to time management due to natural differences in their innate behaviours but may feel uncomfortable using different methods or finding them in the first place because all media suggests they should follow a standard ‘norm’.
Why is it important? Good time management ensures tasks are completed on time which reduces stress, improves work-life balance, and allows you to “show off” at work by hitting deadlines. It is undeniable that it is critical for productivity and success at work and in the ‘real world’.
Visionary Thinking
What is it? The ability to see the big picture and set a clear direction for the future.
Why is it hard to learn? Visionary thinking requires a blend of creativity, foresight, and strategic planning, which can be hard to develop without experience. To put this less formally, it can feel like you have to use a crystal ball to see the future and then understand why it does or does not work for you . Once you know this you then come up with a new idea on how to build to the vision of the future you do want.
Why is it important? A clear vision inspires teams to work hard along the journey. As they are motivated they will also be more creative and innovative which can give you an edge on competitors. Vision also sets out a path for long-term success which means as changes arise you can be more confident in your decision making and how you adapt.
Visionary thinking can help shape the world by taking large, complex issues and breaking them down so that you see new ideas that bring positivity and hope. This skill can also help you shape a visionary idea for your own future so that you can craft your ideal life.
Accountability
What is it? Accountability is taking responsibility for your actions and decisions, and holding others to the same standard.
Why is it hard to learn? Accountability requires self-discipline to acknowledge your wins but also your losses and mistakes. This acknowledgement takes courage and bravery especially as you should communicate the mistake with others that it impacts so that they can help correct the issues that arise. It also requires you to see the outcome as a representation of your work and not relate it to your self-worth.
If you find it hard to acknowledge mistakes or have a fear of failure to begin with then coaching can be useful for you to show you how to be more confident and/or resilient to become a better leader.
Why is it important? Accountability builds trust because your team and colleagues know if something goes wrong you won’t cover it up but acknowledge it so you can adapt and get back to being successful. It also encourages responsibility in your team as you ‘lead by example’ and this therefore drives performance in your team as issues don’t stay issues for long.
Action-Oriented
What is it?
Being action-oriented means focusing on taking decisive steps to achieve goals rather than getting stuck in overthinking or analysis paralysis. It’s also about translating ideas and plans into tangible actions that drive results.
Why is it hard to learn?
Taking action requires overcoming fear of failure, perfectionism, or uncertainty about outcomes. It also demands self-motivation, a willingness to take risks, and the ability to embrace learning from mistakes. For many, the fear of "doing it wrong" or feeling overwhelmed by the size of a goal can lead to inaction (e.g., procrastination or simply forgetting or ignoring the original task).
If this sounds familiar to you, coaching can help break these patterns by encouraging incremental steps, setting clear priorities, and building confidence in your ability to take initiative.
Why is it important?
Action orientation is the bridge between ideas and impact. By taking decisive steps, you can make progress faster, learn from the results, and adjust as needed. It also inspires others by showing leadership through example and helps build momentum for yourself and your team. Ultimately, being action-oriented helps you achieve more in less time and fosters a proactive mindset that can be a competitive advantage.
Resilience
What is it?
Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover quickly from challenges, setbacks, or stress. You do so by maintaining focus, composure, and determination even in difficult situations.
Why is it hard to learn?
Resilience requires emotional strength and mental flexibility to face adversity without giving up or becoming discouraged. Many people struggle with resilience because it involves reframing setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, which can feel counterintuitive when emotions are high. It also tends to need to be learned by going through tough times and then being able to reflect on them making it hard to want to become more resilient. However, coaching can also provide tools to help manage stress, shift perspectives and develop a mindset that sees challenges as temporary and surmountable.
Why is it important?
Resilience enables you to navigate uncertainty and maintain progress toward your goals, even when things don’t go as planned. You teams see a resilient leader it builds trust because the calming and professional demeanour of the leader instills a calm and work-orientated atmosphere in the team. It also demonstrates to the team that high-running emotions are not helpful, and a clear head and hard work are preferred to get through this difficult time. By cultivating resilience as a leader you also can sustain high performance, inspire confidence in others, and keep moving forward regardless of the obstacles you encounter.
In conclusion
Knowing where to start with learning soft skills can be hard and some soft skills will be more natural to learn than others. If you are prone to comparing yourself to others this can leave you feeling inadequate. If you experience this, know that this person you are comparing yourself to may simply be further along the learning curve or be more natural at these specific skills. However, when they look at you they may feel the same way as you have a different matrix of skills and are likely excelling in skills they aren’t. Therefore don’t feel worried or put yourself down if you don’t excel at all the soft skills needed for leadership yet.
I encourage you to take this quiz to test yourself on how you are performing across each of them so you can prioritise learning. You will also receive an email series teaching you about soft skills so you can continue on your leadership journey to learn and succeed!