Where to learn soft skills
We live in a digital era and nowadays if you ask “Where can I learn communication skills?” the answer will be pretty obvious – on the Internet! The Web is full of different courses aimed at soft skills development, promising to make you a great speaker, boost your confidence, teach you to resolve conflicts and so on. The only thing you have to do is type your request in the search box, press enter and scroll the endless number of links to choose from.
However, a couple of questions still remain: “What do the best courses to improve communication skills consist of?” and “How do I make the right choice?”
We are here to answer those questions for you!
Theory and practice
First of all, the best communication training includes both theory and practice. There is no way you’ll master any skill if you don’t put it into use. So video courses available on various platforms such as Udemy or Skillshare won’t be too effective for your soft skills improvement if you don’t start using the theoretical knowledge you get there right away. On the contrary, the interactive training format shows great efficiency, as it allows you to practise the new skill with real people instantly, which is vital for expected results.
Moreover, if you attend practice sessions you’ll be able to receive personal feedback and advice on how to move in the right direction the fastest way possible.
So don’t forget to study the course plan and always pay attention to its practical component!
The perfect coach
The second thing to consider is the coach (or coaches) you’re going to work with. Check out their qualifications, whether they specialise in the field you’re interested in and how successful they are. For example, if you were looking for public speaking training you wouldn’t want to learn from someone, who never gives public speeches or isn’t too good at it!
You can also take a look at the other courses your potential coach suggests and the reviews they got. This way you can make sure the person who’s going to help you during your self-growth journey is the right coach for you.
Other than that, an experienced and professional coach won’t try to lure you in with empty promises of unrealistically quick progress and will try to base the educational process on your personal qualities. For example, it’s nearly impossible to teach someone to perform in public fearlessly with only a couple of lessons. And it doesn’t depend on the coach’s qualification at this point, you have to take the student’s personality into account. Some people just need to be pushed in the right direction and the results will be noticeable after a few weeks of training, but for most, it won’t be nearly as easy.
Soft skills are, primarily, built with practice, and it can be time-consuming. From a few months with professional help to a few years of work if you decide to do it on your own.
The right goal
Another important thing you need to ensure is that the goal of the course matches your personal one and that it will be achieved with the methods that the course suggests. So before you enroll for a course, check out the techniques used during the training and the aimes they are focused on. For example, if you want to become an interesting conversationalist and sway people off their feet with your words, developing good storytelling skills is definitely the right option for you, even though you may have not considered it yet. The art of good storytelling can drastically transform the way a person communicates and not only make you great at grabbing people’s attention but help you persuade them easily.
Supportive environment
Feeling comfortable during the educational process is one of the key components of obtaining any skill. Without that people are often faced with the fear of mistakes, which slows down their progress and lowers their motivation to improve further. Mistakes are inevitable during the learning process, as the famous saying goes: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new” (Albert Einstein). Only by making mistakes and embracing them can we push the limits and achieve the best results.
Other than that your motivation can be affected by the community that surrounds you. It’s always nice to not only be supported not only by your coach but by similar-minded people striving for success besides you. This sense of unity shouldn’t be underestimated, as it is essential for a secure and respectful learning space. So if you don’t feel like you fit in the community, maybe the course you’re attending is not right for you.
Affordability
Finally, the price. A good course doesn’t have to be the most expensive one. The prices usually vary and everyone can find an option they are able to afford. Of course, it’s totally up to you whether you want to spend your last savings on it, but, surely, worrying about the amount of money you’ve invested into this skill won’t be helpful during the learning process. There are plenty of affordable courses out there, you just need to pick wisely.
Let’s sum it up!
The best course for communication skills:
- Has a good ratio of theory and practice
- Is led by an experienced coach or trainer
- Matches your personal self-development goals and needs
- Uses effective training methods
- Offers feedback and a supportive environment
Always study the course info before signing up and don’t hesitate to contact the creator of the course to receive the response to any query or question you have regarding the same. Now you’re totally ready to find the most efficient course suitable for you!
And if you’re interested in learning the art of the storyteller, check out our Storytelling course 🙂