We’re living in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way businesses operate. Machines can analyze data, automate tasks, and make predictions at lightning speed. But as AI handles more of the technical work, there’s a growing realization: the skills that set great leaders apart aren’t just technical.
In fact, it’s the softer skills that AI can’t replicate—like communication, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence—that are becoming even more important. Leaders that can motivate teams, build strong relationships, and steer organizations through change will stand out in this rapidly evolving job market.
So, how can leaders develop these essential soft skills? That’s where executive courses at business schools step in.
Why Soft Skills are Rising to the Top
“In the age of AI, where routine tasks are increasingly automated, soft skills like communication, teamwork and leadership are becoming key differentiators for future workers,” confirms Carolin Puppel, program director for executive education at ESMT Berlin.
“Our programs often incorporate teamwork exercises and peer-driven projects to cultivate essential soft skills like collaboration and leadership,” she says.
At ESMT, as with many programs, the executive courses are all about finding the right balance between technical know-how—data analytics, financial modeling, strategic planning—and the softer, more human side of leadership.
To impart these soft skills, many executive courses use hands-on workshops where participants are thrown into real-world situations. Think crisis simulations or group projects that mirror what you’d face in the office. These scenarios force you to not only solve business problems but also communicate effectively with your team, manage conflicts, and lead under pressure. It’s like a leadership workout.
“Many executive education programs now integrate soft skills development throughout their curriculum, rather than treating it as a separate module,” notes Véronique Tran, a professor of organizational psychology at ESCP Business School.
“But executive courses also employ more personalized approaches to help participants develop their unique soft-skill needs,” says Tran.
“We provide personality and emotional intelligence assessments to help our participants develop not only self-awareness, but a better understanding of their colleagues or team members,” she adds. “This allows them to grow as leaders thanks to the development of their soft skills.”
One of the big perks of executive courses is the chance to learn alongside a diverse group of professionals. A course brings together people from different industries and cultures, providing the opportunity to practice communication, collaboration, and leadership skills in a real-world setting.
The peer feedback can also be incredibly valuable, providing insight into how your leadership style comes across to others—and how to refine it.
Leadership Coaching and Mentorship
Many executive programs also offer one-on-one coaching or mentorship as part of the curriculum. A coach can help you dig deep into your emotional intelligence, assess how you manage relationships, and identify areas for growth.
These personalized insights can be a game-changer for developing self-awareness—another key soft skill that helps leaders understand and respond to the needs of their teams more effectively.
INSEAD has long offered executive coaching for this very reason. “We believe that effective leaders contribute to the creation of sustainable organizations that are great places to work. We believe it is down to leaders to empower people and build the kind of organizational culture that drives enduring competitive advantage,” says Nathalie Nawrocki, executive director of corporate partnerships at INSEAD.
She says the challenge is perhaps less in the teaching of the skills but rather in helping the participant realize where they need to grow.
“A key tool is through 360-degree feedback or experiential setting where the participant will receive and share data on their leadership skills and competencies,” Nawrocki adds.
“This provides a mirror for them to see where they are and opens up the path to self-reflection. We can then present and teach the frameworks for better leadership skills and offer a safe space to practice and improve.”
In the age of AI, it’s tempting to think that hard technical skills are all that matter. But as the workplace becomes more automated, the value of soft skills is only increasing.
As you think about your next career steps, remember: the future of leadership lies in mastering human skills above all.
And that’s where executive education can help you stand out.
