5 Ways to Develop Soft Skills at Work

Soft skills are important to success in almost every line of work. Understanding how to interact with the people you encounter day in and day out is necessary for success–and in no industry is that more true than hospitality, where those hundreds of daily interactions add up to what we call the guest experience.

There’s a common misconception that “being good with people” is simply a natural-born trait. But hoteliers can tell you differently. The best hospitality professionals are built over years of honing your soft skills–and the best service-focused businesses are helping to accelerate this process through soft skills practice for their teams.

In one report from KPMG and the UK’s CIPD (the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), they actually attempted to quantify the revenue lost to a lack of people skills, estimating that this deficit is costing the UK alone £22.2bn a year. Even though 92% of the study’s respondents felt soft skills were important for their career, 20% lack soft skills building opportunities, leading to poor life outcomes such as lower job satisfaction and life satisfaction.

5 Ways to Start Improving Soft Skills in Your Workforce Today

With the need to empower your workforce with people skills so clear, luckily there are proven frameworks and fresh strategies for taking action that leads to real results.

Hire for Curious, Life-long Learners

Every member of your staff doesn’t have to be a Rhodes Scholar, but they should ideally have some innate curiosity that defines their approach to life and work. Be sure your interview questions include one or two that screen for this behavior, such as, “When was the last time you tried a new hobby?” and note if they ask follow up questions in response to what you say.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset on Your Team

You may have heard this phrase used in recent years as the field of behavioral change has grown. Some people have what’s known as a “growth mindset”, versus those with a fixed mindset–but those people can change. It’s important that your team understand that change is not just possible, it’s realistic and achievable through the career paths that you help them build. A growth mindset encourages the intrinsic motivation of the most high-performing staff–and you can cultivate that by giving your team the tools they need to grow (and by rewarding that growth.)

Give Your Team the Right Tools for Growth

Corporate training used to happen in boring classrooms, or through digital modules on your PC that feel like scrolling through a Powerpoint presentation. The tools of today look a lot different–and lead to much more effective outcomes. The best behavioral change tools are giving employees localized, personalized, relevant content that make use of gamification, friendly competition, and the latest AI tech to create bite-sized experiences your teams are actually excited to complete.

Empower Growth Through Mentorship and Team Learning

Unlock the full potential of your team by fostering a culture of shared knowledge and mutual support. Mentorship connects individuals with experienced guides, while cross-training and collaborative learning fuel both personal and professional development. When employees learn together, they don’t just gain skills—they build trust, camaraderie, and the confidence to tackle challenges, and ensure a consistent experience for your guests at every touchpoint.

Create Space for Practice, Reflection, and Meaningful Feedback

True mastery comes through action. Encourage your team to apply their new skills in real-world tasks that inspire growth and self-discovery. Reflection helps individuals chart their own progress and see how far they’ve come. And when you offer consistent, thoughtful feedback—both constructive and affirming—you ignite motivation, strengthen confidence, and cultivate a resilient, forward-moving workforce.

Quote we are pondering:

“It feels good to help people. So get out there and feel good.”

                - Simon Sinek

It’s time to stop leaving money on the table with under-practiced staff. Soft skills aren’t inborn, they’re created and cultivated with the right initiatives, incentives, and technologies. Send us a line at hello@atiom.app to learn how Atiom can help you start making these changes today.

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