Technical expertise might get you the job — but it’s emotional intelligence, clear communication and the ability to connect that will keep you there and move you forward. According to Melini Moses, communications strategist and founder of Express Yourself, soft skills are now leadership essentials. “They’re not separate from strategy — they are strategy.”
With a background in journalism, Moses brings a unique lens to leadership development. “I’ve lectured in business communications and this reinforced that stories are how we move people, shift perceptions and, ultimately, build trust. You can have an MBA or a PhD — but if you can’t work in a team, resolve conflict or rally people around a shared goal, you’re going to hit a ceiling.”
She notes that the perception of soft skills has undergone a marked transformation in recent years. Once considered secondary to technical qualifications, skills such as empathy, communication and emotional resilience have become the cornerstone of effective leadership, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leading in a changing world
“When lockdown hit, people were anxious. Some were grieving. Others were juggling work with home-schooling,” Moses recalls. “Leaders had to change their approach. Soft skills training shifted towards tone, presence, and creating space for people to be heard. The result? Improved productivity, because people felt valued.”
