While business strategy and technical expertise are important, they’re not what make a leader truly great. The best leaders don’t just manage teams—they inspire, communicate, and build a work environment where people feel valued and trusted. That’s where leadership soft skills come in.
In this article, we’ll break down the connection between soft skills and leadership and outline some of the most critical ones every leader should develop.
What are soft skills in leadership?
Soft skills are those non-technical abilities that help leaders manage teams, solve problems, and drive success. Unlike hard skills—such as coding, finance, or engineering—soft skills focus on communication, emotional intelligence, and decision-making. They’re what allow leaders to motivate teams, build trust, and face workplace challenges more easily.
“The higher up you move, the more important communication and leadership become,” says Steven Gaffney, a transformational strategist and advisor to government agencies and Fortune 500 executives. “The ‘soft skills’ are really the hard skills—and the ‘hard skills’ are really the soft or easy skills.”
In other words, mastering technical skills might get you promoted—but truly succeeding in leadership roles requires a whole new set of abilities.
Why soft skills matter in leadership and team management
A manager with technical expertise might know how to optimize a workflow or analyze financial data, but without the ability to keep teams motivated during high-demand periods or resolve conflicts between employees, their leadership will fall flat.
Think about a leader facing a major organizational change, like a company restructuring. A leader who lacks soft skills for leadership and team management might roll out the changes with little explanation, leaving employees feeling uncertain and disengaged.
On the other hand, a leader with strong communication and emotional intelligence will explain the reasons behind decisions, listen to concerns, and provide support, making the transition smoother and more positive for everyone involved.
Or, let’s say a project deadline is missed due to miscommunication between departments. Soft skills and leadership qualities allow for mediating the situation, clarifying expectations, and ensuring better coordination moving forward to prevent this type of situation from happening again. A weak leader, however, might just point fingers or leave teams to sort it out themselves—risking repeated mistakes.
At the end of the day, leaders can’t rely on their technical expertise alone.
15 leadership soft skills every leader needs
Without soft skills, even the most talented professionals struggle to lead effectively. So, what are the must-have soft skills for leadership in the workplace?
1. Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Emotional intelligence is the foundation of strong leadership. Leaders with high EQ understand their own emotions, recognize how their actions impact others, and navigate workplace dynamics with ease. They don’t just react—they think and only then respond thoughtfully, which builds trust and respect among their teams.
Read this next: What Is Emotional Intelligence? Here’s Why It Matters at Work
2. Communication
Being a great leader means being a great communicator. Whether you're delivering a company-wide presentation, writing an email, or listening to a frustrated employee, clear and effective communication is key to aligning goals and expectations and avoiding misunderstandings. Additionally, strong leaders tailor their message to their audience, ensuring their words resonate and inspire action.
Read this next: Your Communication Skills Matter for Every Job—Here’s How to Use, Improve, and Show Off Yours
3. Empathy
Empathy goes beyond being kind to others—it’s about truly listening, understanding, and addressing your team’s needs. Leaders who practice empathy create workplaces where employees feel valued and heard, which leads to higher engagement, productivity, and retention. When a team member struggles, an empathetic leader offers support instead of simply assigning blame and pushing for results.
4. Active listening
Active listening goes beyond just hearing what people say; it involves being fully present in the conversation, asking follow-up questions, and showing empathy. When leaders actively listen, they build trust, strengthen relationships, and foster a positive work environment where employees feel valued and comfortable enough to, as Gaffney highlights, say the unsaid.
“When leaders know the specific skills of how to get the unsaid said, then they don’t have to worry as much about getting all of their decisions correct,” he says. “By creating the environment of getting the unsaid said, people will tell them. If, for example, there is an operational issue, people will tell them.”
5. Conflict resolution
Disagreements happen in every workplace, it’s something inevitable. But how they’re handled makes all the difference. Leaders with strong conflict resolution skills don’t avoid tough conversations or let tensions escalate. Instead, they sense when things aren’t right, mediate issues, promote constructive discussions, and help teams find solutions that benefit everyone.
6. Adaptability
The only constant in business is change, and strong leaders embrace it. Whether it's shifting market trends, new technology, or unexpected challenges, adaptability helps leaders stay flexible and guide their teams through uncertainty. Instead of resisting change, they see it as an opportunity for growth and help everyone adapt as well.
Read this next: What Is Adaptive Leadership, and How to Embrace This Style
7. Decision-making
Leaders make countless decisions every day—some big, some small, and many under pressure. The best ones don’t hesitate or second-guess themselves endlessly. They assess the situation, weigh the options, and make informed (and sometimes tough) choices that drive progress. Strong decision-making keeps teams moving forward with confidence.
Read this next: 4 Decision-Making Styles: What They Mean for You as a Leader
8. Critical thinking
Good leaders don’t just accept things at face value—they analyze, question, and problem-solve. Critical thinking allows them to assess situations objectively, spot potential risks, and develop innovative solutions. It’s what helps separate a leader from someone who just follows the playbook.
Read this next: What Critical Thinking Is—And 7 Ways to Improve Yours
9. Mentoring and coaching
Great leaders don’t just manage people—they help them grow. Whether it’s guiding a new hire, supporting career development, or giving constructive feedback, mentoring and coaching are essential soft skills in business management. A leader who invests in their team’s success builds a stronger, more engaged workforce.
Read this next: Mentor and Mentee Relationship: What You Need to Know
10. Integrity and trustworthiness
Leaders who demonstrate integrity build a culture of trust and respect within the team. When employees trust their leader, they’re more likely to be engaged, loyal, and motivated to perform at their best.
On the other side, “if they don’t create that environment of honest communication, then they are essentially doing it alone—and leadership is a team skill,” Gaffney says. “People won’t trust leaders who come across as always being optimistic but never being realistic. So essentially, the skill of how to speak the real truth and how to get the real truth out is paramount in today’s work world for present and future success.”
Read this next: 21 Leadership Values Every Leader Should Embrace
11. Delegation
Effective delegation is a key leadership skill. It allows leaders to focus on strategic tasks, assigning minor tasks to others and, consequently, empowering team members to take ownership of their work. Delegation also helps in developing the skills of others and building a strong, capable team.
Read this next: The 10 Rules of Successful Delegation
12. Confidence
A leader who appears uncertain or hesitant will struggle to inspire others. Confidence isn’t about arrogance—it’s about having a clear vision, making firm decisions, and standing by them. When leaders show confidence while remaining approachable, teams feel more secure and motivated to perform at their best, even during hard times.
13. Creativity and innovation
In today’s fast-paced world, leaders need to be able to come up with creative solutions to unexpected challenges. Thinking outside the box is what keeps organizations ahead of the curve, allowing them to adapt to market changes and stay competitive while grabbing customers' attention.
Read this next: 10 Ways You Can Innovate at Work Every Single Day
14. Strategic thinking
Aligning short-term actions with long-term vision is another essential soft skill for leaders. They must be able to think ahead and align their decisions with the broader goals of the organization. Strategic thinking ensures the team’s day-to-day tasks contribute to the bigger picture, leading to sustainable growth and success.
15. Time and energy management
Time management isn’t just about being organized; it’s about recognizing priorities and delegating appropriately to stay focused and prevent burnout. Leaders who manage their time and energy wisely set an example for their teams and ensure they don’t burn out in the process.
Read this next: Your Guide to Time Management Skills in the Workplace
How leaders can develop soft skills
Developing leadership soft skills is possible with the right strategies.
- Soft skills training for managers: Many programs and workshops are designed to help leaders improve their soft skills. Leadership development programs, communication workshops, and conflict resolution courses offer tailored techniques to enhance a leader’s ability to manage teams effectively. These structured learning experiences help managers develop a deeper understanding of essential leadership soft skills and how to apply them in real-world situations.
- On-the-job learning: As leadership often involves learning through trial and error, experience is one of the best teachers. As leaders face daily challenges and responsibilities, they naturally improve their soft skills over time. Handling tough situations, making decisions under pressure, and interacting with team members all contribute to building emotional intelligence, communication abilities, and problem-solving skills.
- Regular feedback: Continuous growth requires self-awareness. Regular feedback from peers, team members, and mentors helps leaders identify areas for improvement and track their progress. Constructive criticism is vital to understand how others see leadership actions and where adjustments might be needed. By being open to feedback, leaders can pinpoint weaknesses and work on specific soft skills.
- Practical exercises: Practical exercises like role-playing, leadership simulations, and mentorship programs can be immensely beneficial. Role-playing exercises allow leaders to practice handling situations they might face in real life, while leadership simulations help them gain insights into managing teams in different contexts. Mentorship provides a space for leaders to learn from others’ experiences and get guidance from more experienced individuals.
Read this next: How to Improve Your Soft Skills—Anyone Can Do It!
Keep growing
“Leaders need to know leadership skills that are completely different from technical skills,” Gaffney says. “Leadership, communication, and building successful teams are specific skills that, when applied, will consistently work.” Being a great leader is about how you connect with your team, inspire them, and create an environment where everyone can contribute their best work, leading them toward success.
As leaders continue to grow, it’s essential to consistently refine and improve interpersonal and decision-making skills. Soft skills for leadership and team management aren’t one-time learnings; they’re ongoing practices that evolve with experience and self-reflection. By prioritizing your growth in these areas, you can truly thrive and inspire those around you.