An Outline of the Different Types of Soft Skills and Management Training

Interpersonal skills are the essential asset in order to further your career in any organisation, whether in the public sector, commerce or other. Companies whether large or small, need this fundamental skill in order to meet their targets and be successful. They often offer soft skills training courses either in the work place or sign up staff on these courses offered by training companies. Courses offered to all staff can focus mainly on team working. A sales representative will need to know how to entice, negotiate and make that sale to a wide range of personalities; they need to make efficient use of their time with the potential customer and also handle rejection. This training is not only geared for the sales people but also invaluable to the manager, PA, secretary, administrator, waiters in fact all walks of life. These specialist roles with unique skill sets are beneficial to all. Team working and leadership skills are the most popular courses sought after. Leadership and management skills are generally more advantageous to management.

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Management courses often include leadership theories of X and Y management styles, that is Maslow and Herzberg theories. This will include how to build appropriate relationships with staff in order for them to have job satisfaction, motivate them, empathise and meet their needs. The focal point is mainly on developing working relationships and how to get the most out of these relationships.

The other main areas of Management Courses are where the focus is on how to lead and act on your own initiative. This is an important part as it ensures that the candidate observes and focuses on the target and is then able to succeed in achieving these objectives.

Evolution of Management Training Courses

Management and leadership training courses have changed dramatically over the years. The earlier management courses focused on having two distinct types of staff:

1. Those who need to be told what to do and are disciplined; this led to staff not being able to think for themselves and be creative.
2. The other type is for staff who needs to be given the opportunity to develop.

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The general theme was oppressive. This led to a more independent school of thought developing in the 80s and later. Here there was more importance on consulting with employees and brainstorming, in order to give them a degree of self worth and involvement with the staff. This type of management theory is the dominant theme in most management training. 

Managerial personality is a noteworthy determinant. It may vary with companies as the atmosphere can be either democratic or autocratic. Finally, certain types of job will require a suitable approach and as a result specific industries may have different cultures.