Whenever I used to meet charismatic people, I automically assumed they were just lucky to be born with great genetics—while I was the unfortunate girl born to be an awkward introvert for life.
But, then I learned that interpersonal skills are actually something that can be learned and improved upon—and online, of all places!
So, instead of hiding in the shadows, wishing your parents had passed down better traits, check out any one of these cheap online classes that can contribute to your personal development and professional growth. Quick note: The prices can fluctuate, so a given class may be more (or less!) than what's listed below.
Learn how to flourish socially at work—from feeling more comfortable in meetings to being confident when talking to your CEO at the company happy hour. Because even if the majority of your day’s spent in front of a computer screen, being better at interacting with human beings (face to face!) never hurts.
Soft skills can be anything from interpersonal skills to self-confidence to EQ—but regardless, they are some of the most important skills you need to make it big in the working world. This course will cover 11 big ones, plus how you can start improving each one today.
Cost: $10
Length: 29.5 hours
Whether you’re a manager, CEO, or an entry-level employee, understanding how to effectively manage others and motivate them is a great skill to acquire. This class will talk about how to establish clear expectations, how to assess others’ performance, and best practices for having important conversations with your team. Take one for the basics, or complete them all and become a certified coach!
Cost: $79 per course (can be bought separately)
Length: 4 courses
Want to have a healthy relationship with your co-workers, your boss, and just about anyone? Good emotional intelligence leads to empathy, trust, and connection to another individual—and this course will help you get there. You’ll learn how your nonverbal cues, as well as your verbal ones, can be misleading, and how to overcome conflict and build lasting, productive relationships—in and out of the office.
Cost: $10
Length: 2.5 hours
Part of being a great leader is being aware of the emotions in play around you. So, to help you do that more effectively, this class will teach you how to better work with others, manage up, and start practicing self-control, resilience, and empathy every day.
Cost: Free month with trial and $19.99 to $29.99/month for membership
Length: 1 hour 2 minutes
If you’re looking for a quick overview of how to better communicate in the workplace, take this quickie (each lesson is eight minutes only!) to learn about proper business etiquette, conflict resolution, and how to work with others at all levels of business.
Cost: Free with trial or $49.99/ month for unlimited lessons
Length: Approximately 100 minutes/ 13 lessons
Emotional intelligence is not just useful for your interactions with others, but for yourself as well. This course will teach you how to use EQ to proactively make decisions and confront problems. You’ll be coached on how to manage your emotions, follow your intuitions, and take a realistic, active approach to issues.
Cost: $10
Length: 3 hours 40 minutes
If working with challenging clients has become a difficult hurdle for you, look no further. This short, hour-long class will cover ways to neutralize negative situations before and after they occur—and prevent them in the future.
Cost: Free month with trial and $19.99 to $29.99/month for membership
Length: 55 minutes
Become a pro-conversationalist with this online class. By learning how to effortlessly approach others, start a conversation, and read body language, you’ll be better able to craft more meaningful and authentic interactions with others—and develop a knack for networking.
Cost: $10
Length: 1.5 hours
Everyone should know how to negotiate, whether it’s for a business sale or a discussion between you and your landlord. This course will cover all the basics, from deciding whether or not to negotiate to planning your strategy to creating a contract and sealing the deal.
Cost: Free without certificate
Length: 15 hours
If you tend to get into long-winded arguments that don’t lead anywhere, you definitely need this class. It will teach you about the power of Socratic Jujitsu, or ways you can start asking questions—rather than arguing back—to persuade others to see your perspective.
Cost: $10
Length: 1 hour
A successful leader is not only motivating, but also inclusive. This option will cover the four main skills needed to promote inclusivity—empowerment, accountability, courage, and humility—and how to apply these to everyday work experiences. At the end, you’ll create your own personal plan to continue to practice these skills and awareness of yourself and others.
Cost: Free
Length: 1-2 hours per section/4 sections
Want to know more about your current strengths (and fine, weaknesses) before signing up for one of these? Take these free online personality tests to learn more about yourself.