OVERVIEW

This SOFT SKILLS module will be experiential, based on continuous interaction between the lecturer and the students as well as among the students themselves. The course will focus on three main topics:

1. The empathetic communication model, high-quality communication (with oneself and with others) that stands as one of the most valuable competencies in today's workplace;
2. Three creative thinking techniques that sharpen problem-solving skills and enhance teamwork;
3. Selected leadership theories to increase self-awareness, help recognize personal limits, and learn how to overcome them.

Throughout the sessions, students will have the opportunity to engage in practical pair-work and group-work activities and interact continuously.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this immersive emotional-intelligence focused module students will learn what soft skills are and how to never overlook them in to be easily efficient and performative and ultimately have a successful career. Soft skills are social attributes that enable you to interact effectively with others. These skills are critical for success in most careers, as they help you build and maintain relationships, navigate complex situations, and achieve your goals. Main objectives are: 1. to learn what the most important and most sought after by employers are: efficient communication, teamwork, problem-solving and time management and how to use them successfully. 2. To practice how to use them efficiently, through a variety of role-playing, writing assignments, peer discussion exercises. 3. As a consequence, learning how to self-reflect, self-evaluate, and peer evaluate, according to the latest research in Business Management known as the Harvard model. 4. Being an effective part of a team meaning that you can work well with different personalities and can collaborate, delegate, and provide support when needed. 5. To learn different leadership models and how to use accordingly to different workplaces. 6. To learn about the future of the Global Economy and specifically the so called “Kind Economy”.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Establishing self-awareness; facilitating behavioural integration through active experiential learning; cultivating meta-cognition and analytical self-regulation; developing leadership, teamwork and empathetic communication skills.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisite

TEACHING METHODS

Interactive lectures, round tables, role-plays, group work.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The content of the course covers three main topics:

1) The Empathetic Communication model, inspired by the four-step process developed by Marshall Rosenberg, offers a tool that is simple in its principles yet exceptionally powerful for deeply improving the quality of relationships. 

Participants work through the four phases of empathetic communication:

1. Observation without evaluation — distinguishing facts from interpretations.
2. Identification of feelings and emotions — naming what one feels.
3. Recognition and expression of needs — understanding what generates one's emotional state.
4. Request for strategic action — formulating clear, actionable proposals.

The program guides participants both in self-empathy (directed toward oneself) and in empathy toward others, applying the four phases to real-life situations with colleagues and clients. The course includes guided discussions, pair and group exercises, role-plays, and practical application, with the goal of integrating the model's principles into daily communication

2) Creative thinking tools such as ALTERNATIVES, RANDOM ASSOCIATIONS AND PROVOCATIONS will be explained and put in practice with the view to refine the participants' thinking skills, enhance their ability to question the 'status quo' and find solutions to problems which may seem insolvable from the logical point of view

3) Leadership based role-plays will help participants increase their self-awareness and take the courage to initiate change

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rosenberg, M. (2017) Le parole sono finestre (oppure muri). Introduzione alla comunicazione nonviolenta, Esserci edizioni. / Rosenberg, M. (2015) Nonviolent communication, Puddle Dancer Press

Heifetz, R (2009) Practice of Adaptive Leadership: A Fieldbook for Practitioners, Ingram Publisher Services

Kegan, R & Lahey, L (2018) Immunità al cambiamento: come liberare nuove potenzialità (in noi e nella nostra organizzazione), Edizioni Franco Angeli / Kegan, R & Lahey, L (1018) Immunity to change: how to overcome it and unlock the potential in yourself and in your organisation, Harvard Business Review Press 

De Bono, E. & Brunelli, F. (2001) Creatività e Pensiero Laterale, Rizzoli / De Bono, E. (2016) Lateral thinking: a textbook of creativity, Penguins Books Ltd

De Bono, E. (2011) Essere creativi. Come fare nascere nuove idee. I concetti, gli strumenti, le applicazioni del pensiero laterale, Il Sole 24 Ore

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

For attendees: a group presentation. For non-attendees: a 1000-word essay to send via email to pnovellini@yahoo.it

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Ongoing assessment based on a 360-degree feedback system for those who will attend the course. Essays written by non-attendees will need to show critical thinking skills

FURTHER INFORMATION

No further information