Soft Skill Growth Tools

Soft Skill Growth Tools

The following tools can help you reinforce soft skill development in everyday ways, without requiring a lot of time or formal training.

Weekly Check-in Questions

Brief, intentional questions can help staff reflect on their interactions, emotions, and teamwork. These can be shared verbally during one-on-ones or through a written check-in form. Examples:

• What was one moment this week where you used patience or flexibility in the classroom?
• Is there a conversation you handled well, or wish had gone differently? What would you change next time?
• Who helped you this week, and how did that support make a difference?

Tip: Keep questions short and specific. Over time, these check-ins help staff develop self-awareness and a growth mindset.

Visual Cues and Bulletin Board Ideas

Bringing soft skills into the physical space keeps them top-of-mind. Use visuals to prompt reflection, reinforce expectations, and celebrate growth. Examples:

• “Soft Skill of the Week” Poster: Highlight one skill (e.g., empathy, teamwork) with simple definitions and staff shout-outs.
• “In This Room We...” Signs: Post phrases like “Speak kindly,” “Offer help,” “Stay calm,” at staff entrances or break areas.
• Soft Skill Shout-Out Wall: Allow staff to leave sticky notes recognizing coworkers for positive soft skill use.

Visual tools normalize soft skills, making them a visible, celebrated part of the culture.

Team Meeting Starters

Instead of diving right into logistics, start meetings with a soft skill reflection or activity. It sets a positive tone and helps staff connect their everyday actions to broader goals. Examples:

• “Let’s go around and share a moment this week when someone showed great teamwork.”
• “How did our team show flexibility this week, and how did it help the children?”
• “Think of a time recently when you showed or received empathy at work. What did that feel like?”

These short openers help build a culture of awareness, appreciation, and shared responsibility.

Quick Coaching Conversation Templates

Use these short, structured prompts to guide supportive conversations when you observe strong (or struggling) soft skill use. They can be done in under 5 minutes and work best when immediate and specific. Examples:

• “I noticed you stayed really calm during a tough moment today. What helped you manage that so well?”
• “I saw some tension during cleanup. How do you think it went? What would you like to try next time?”
• “Let’s talk about that transition—what worked well, and what could we do differently to support the team?”

These prompts focus on behavior, not personality, and encourage reflection rather than blame.

Low effort, high impact ways to Support Soft Skills When You're Overwhelmed

Many directors juggle multiple roles and don’t always have time for formal or time-consuming staff development activities. Below are practical, low-effort strategies directors can use to support soft skills growth even in high-stress, low-capacity situations. These ideas one the next slide are designed to be integrated into existing routines, not added on.

Low-effort, High-impact Ways to Support Soft Skills Even When You're Overwhelmed! (Select each icon to read more information)

Bulletin Board or Whiteboard Prompts

Walk-and-Talk Feedback

"In-the-Moment Recognition

Sticky Notes of Encouragement

Existing Documentation Moments

Soft Skills Micro Lesson

Team Text Thread Prompts

"One Word" Check-Ins

Congratulations…

You have completed this presentation!

Create a very short, informal video about soft skills and how to use them specifically for your program. Send it to your team to view.

Keep a pad of sticky notes at your desk or in your bag. When you see a staff member modeling a soft skill (like empathy, teamwork, or flexibility), jot a quick “thank you” and stick it on their clipboard, cubby, or planning book.

• “Loved how you supported your co-teacher today!”
• “You really showed patience during lunch—thank you!”

Simple, personal, and boosts a positive staff culture.

Instead of waiting for a meeting or formal observation, give a quick shout-out in passing.

• “Thank you for staying so calm when the schedule changed.”
• “You handled that transition really smoothly—I noticed!”

Takes 5 seconds. Reinforces soft skill use immediately. Builds morale.

Use a group message or team app to send short prompts or shout-outs:

• “Let’s start the week strong: What soft skill are you focusing on today?”
• “Shout-out to the toddler team for staying flexible this morning!”

Supports team culture, even when you can't gather in person.

If you’re signing off on timesheets, licensing paperwork, or food logs—take 10 seconds to leave a quick handwritten note like:

• “Thanks for stepping in during coverage gaps this week—you’ve shown real leadership.”

No extra meeting. Shows your leadership is present and appreciative.

During drop-off, transitions, or passing in the hallway, try this with staff:

• “One word to describe your morning so far?”
• “What’s one word for how your team is working together today?”

Promotes self-awareness and emotional regulation—without slowing things down.

If you're walking through classrooms, take 1 minute to pull a teacher aside:

• “I saw how you helped the new assistant during clean-up. That teamwork helped everything go more smoothly—thank you.”

No formal meeting. Just recognition during routines.

Post one soft skill focus each week in the break area or on a door:

• “This week: How do you show professionalism during hard days?”
• “Soft Skill Spotlight: Communication—What does ‘respectful tone’ sound like?”

No prep needed. Promotes ongoing reflection with minimal time investment.