The current work environment requires not only technical skills but also so-called soft skills, which are essential not only to facilitate entry into the job market but also to support continuous professional growth. Soft skills include abilities such as teamwork, effective communication, and adaptability to complex challenges in increasingly globalized and multicultural workplaces. The course aims to provide theoretical understanding and practical tools to highlight the importance of developing soft skills and applying them effectively. The teaching methodology will be interactive and workshop-based, requiring active participation from students. Attendance is mandatory to ensure direct engagement in the learning process and the practical application of the skills acquired.

Knowledge and Understanding The course will provide conceptual and practical tools to operate effectively in complex, global, and highly uncertain environments. Additionally, it will offer in-depth knowledge and practical instruments to understand and navigate organizational contexts, enhancing students' operational capabilities. Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding By the end of the course, students will be able to: - Apply theories related to soft skills and their development; - Analyze the reasons and importance of developing both technical and transversal skills to adapt and compete in an increasingly complex and challenging work environment. Independent Judgment Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to critically reflect on when, how, and why to use key skills, such as teamwork and the ability to communicate effectively, both in oral presentations and in written form. Communication Skills Students will acquire essential skills for effectively communicating ideas, proposals, and analyses in various organizational contexts, improving the clarity and impact of their expression. Learning Skills The course will provide tools to develop and implement soft skills, enabling students to face challenges and changes in their professional growth within organizations.

The course examines soft skills as a complement to technical skills, essential for excelling in an increasingly dynamic and complex work environment. Following an introduction to the concept of soft skills and key theoretical frameworks, such as emotional intelligence, the course focuses on two core competencies: communication and teamwork. Each competency is first explored from a theoretical perspective, followed by practical sessions where students are tasked with applying the concepts learned, through both individual assignments and group activities. This integrated approach aims to foster a deep understanding and practical application of soft skills in professional contexts.

Goleman, D. & Gallo, A. 2024. HBR's 10 Must Reads on Strengthening Your Soft Skills. Harvard Business Review Press. Important Note: All texts and readings, including slides, will be uploaded to the platform Learn.

The course will adopt the following teaching methodologies: - Lectures - Group work, simulations, and case studies - Videos N.B. Simulations and case studies must be purchased in advance using the link provided in the syllabus. Students should select the “degree-granting course” fee. For any questions, please contact the instructor at ebruni@luiss.it The teaching approach will be highly interactive, workshop-based, and integrated, combining lectures with simulations and interactive activities to encourage active and engaged participation from students. These sessions will not only assess students' ability to apply the theories learned in class but will also provide opportunities to develop and practice transversal skills such as collaboration, effective communication, and problem-solving.

Attendance at all course sessions is mandatory for a positive evaluation. A maximum of three absences is permitted; any exceptions must be discussed in advance with the instructor. The assessment will be based on the following criteria: - Continuous evaluation of active participation in class (30%) - Articles presentation (30%): • A folder containing the articles to be presented in class will be shared one week in advance. • Presentations will be conducted in groups and should summarize the main content of each paper assigned to the group. • Each presentation should not exceed 7 minutes. - Quiz on the content covered in the first and second week, including the articles presented in the first week. The quiz will consist in 15 multiple choice questions (20%) - The final exam will consist of a case study. Students will be required to interpret the case, propose solutions, and support their interpretation with well-reasoned arguments (20%) This assessment structure is designed to promote active learning, the practical application of knowledge, and the development of transversal skills throughout the course. Information and exam instructions for non-attending students: Given the interactive nature of the course, students are strongly encouraged to attend. Non-attending students will be examined on all required readings listed in the syllabus, as well as the following additional materials: • Boyatzis, R.E., et al. 2017. Emotional and Social Intelligence Competencies of Incident Team Commanders Fighting Wildfires. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, Vol. 53(4) 498–516. • Boyatzis, R.E., et al. 2019. Emotional and social intelligence competencies and the intentional change process. Cognitive Readiness in Project Teams. Productivity Press, 147-169. • Goleman, D. Working with Emotional Intelligence. 1998. “People Skills” Chapter 3 pp. 2345-4218. Bloomsbury. • LeStage, G., Dehanas, S.N., & Gerend, P. 2024. Teamwork at the Top. Harvard Business Review. • Sytch, M. & Kim, Y.H. 2020. Want to win someone over? Talk like they do. Harvard Business Review • Succi, C., & Magali, C. 2020. Soft skills to enhance graduate employability: comparing students and employers’ perceptions. Studies in higher education 45.9 (2020): 1834-1847. • Wendi L. Adair, Nancy R. Buchan, Xiao-Ping Chen, & Dong Liu, 2016. A Model of Communication Context and Measure of Context Dependence. AMD, 2, 198–217. The final exam for non-attending students will consist of a case study and four open-ended questions. Students will be required to analyze the case, propose solutions, and justify their interpretation with well-reasoned arguments. The open-ended questions will cover both the articles for attending students outlined in the syllabus and the additional readings assigned to non-attending students.

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