An overhead shot of an open notebook displaying "SOFT SKILLS TRAINING" in bold black text. Two hands with light skin tone are holding the notebook open on a wooden desk. A white keyboard and a stack of two dark books are visible in the background. This image highlights the importance of soft skills for professionals in leadership roles.

By Portia Yip, Marketing Services

Technical skills will only go so far in today’s fast-paced, evolving workplaces. Instead, the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and lead with empathy is becoming increasingly essential in any professional role.

As a long-time instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic and a corporate communication consultant, Anna Marie White is passionate about teaching in the Essential Soft Skills Training (ESST) program.  

I used to think that if you were good at hard skills, you’d automatically be a good manager," she says. "But people are the work. You can’t manage people the way you manage your tasks."

People are the work

It was this realization that led Anna Marie to explore emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal communication—skills that form the foundation of the ESST program.

Anna Marie has a diverse background in corporate communication, public administration, and leadership. With graduate credentials from Regent College in Vancouver and a master’s degree with distinction from Bournemouth University, her experience blends academic insight with industry experience from both the private and non-profit sectors.

When it comes to soft skills, she says the easiest definition is to think of it as people skills. "Soft skills equip you with the ability to work alongside people, to bring them together around a common goal, and move things forward."

From teaching leadership to a new program

Before the soft skills program, Anna Marie taught the Leadership Excellence in Public Relations course, where around 60 per cent of the content focused on emotional intelligence. Students were consistently saying how transformational the learning was, and Anna Marie saw the opportunity to make the material more accessible.

"Leadership can be an intimidating word, but becoming a good leader really just means becoming good at working with people," she shares.

From there, the Micro-certificate in Essential Soft Skills Training was launched as an online, six-week program designed for emerging leaders, new managers, and professionals across all industries looking to complement their hard skills.

The program starts with learning about five foundational soft skills:

  1. Self-awareness: understanding your own emotions, triggers and responses
  2. Social awareness: recognizing how others feel and what they need
  3. Active listening: hearing and validating others’ experiences
  4. Empathy: demonstrating genuine care and concern
  5. Validation: affirming perspectives different from your own 

These skills, as Anna Marie notes, are just as important for seasoned professionals as they are for those new to the workplace.

"I think we all know that when people get along in the sandbox, we get more work done," she says. "And if people are more skilled in dealing with each other, they're going to be more productive."

Cross-cultural communication and inclusivity

In an increasingly diverse workplace, cross-cultural communication is becoming more important and Anna Marie sees this as the next area of focus.

"There are cultural nuances in how we communicate—like eye contact, tone or directness—that can be misinterpreted," she describes. "Soft skills help bridge that gap and create more inclusive environments."

For newcomers to Canada, this is particularly relevant as soft skills can provide the tools to help understand Canadian workplace norms and culture, while encouraging students to build broader cultural awareness.

In the classroom, a top priority for Anna Marie is creating a psychologically safe space for students to learn, take risks, and make mistakes.

"If students are anxious, they won’t learn. But in written, online environments, it levels the playing field," she says. "Students who may be quiet in a traditional classroom can take time to reflect and express themselves more thoughtfully."

She also recognizes that students are often juggling full, busy lives, which is why the program is designed to be flexible and applicable. By the end of the program, students can also take what they learned in class and use it directly in their work or everyday lives.

Real skills for real life

Whether someone is managing a team, navigating office dynamics, or trying to improve a personal relationship, soft skills make a difference.

Soft skills are universal," emphasizes Anna Marie. "They're not just about being a better employee, they help you live a better life."

It’s no surprise that Anna Marie often hears from students who say the course has changed their lives—and not through one dramatic transformation, but through a series of small events. For example, she had one student who used the opening statement formula from the class to start a difficult conversation with a supervisor.

"It had been weighing on them for months," says Anna Marie, "But using that tool helped them work through the issue productively." 

Final thoughts: show up, listen, and care

At the heart of soft skills is the ability to be emotionally present. There are times when the best way to help someone isn’t to solve their problem, but to truly listen.

"Problem-solving can be the number one distraction from emotional presence," describes Anna Marie. "Sometimes people don’t want advice. They want to know they matter."

By helping students build emotional intelligence and interpersonal tools, improving soft skills empowers professionals not only to succeed, but to lead with empathy, strength and clarity.

Ready to grow your people skills?

A robotic hand held in the air with an orange butterfly landing on the index finger.

The Essential Soft Skills Training micro-certificate is open to professionals from all industries and backgrounds. Whether you're new to the workforce, stepping into a management role, or navigating workplace changes, this program offers the tools you need to communicate clearly, lead effectively, and connect authentically.

 View program

About the instructor

Anna Marie WhiteAnna Marie White is a consultant in corporate communications and project management in private and non-profit sectors. Anna Marie has a Bachelor of Arts and a Certificate in Public Administration at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She holds graduate qualifications from Regent College in Vancouver, BC, and she also completed an MA in corporate communications from Bournemouth University in the UK where she graduated with distinction and received a commendation for top performance in her class. 

  • Posted May 21, 2025