The ROI of People Skills Training: What Leaders Should Know

Think tech drives performance? The real edge is people. Companies that invest in communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence consistently outperform. Discover the ROI of people skills training and how Everything DiSC® makes it practical and powerful.
Jon Britain answering the question about the ROI of People Skills training

In today’s fast-paced, tech-heavy business environment, it’s easy to assume that investing in systems, software, and strategy will drive performance. But the real differentiator? People. Specifically, people who know how to work well with others.

Companies that invest in people skills training – communication, collaboration, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, consistently see stronger results. Yet, many leaders still question the return on investment (ROI). If that’s you, let’s break it down.

🚀 People Skills = Business Results

According to a LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 92% of talent professionals say soft skills are more important than technical skills. Why? Because it’s not just what people know; it’s how they work together that determines success.

Here’s the thing: even the most skilled team can underperform if communication is poor, conflict goes unresolved, or silos persist. That’s why top-performing businesses focus on developing people, not just processes.

💰 The Hard Numbers Behind Soft Skills

Still wondering if it’s worth the investment? Let’s look at the data:

  • Companies with highly engaged teams see 21% greater profitability (Gallup).
  • Businesses that train employees in communication skills see a 25% increase in productivity(McKinsey).
  • Organisations with high levels of emotional intelligence outperform their peers by over 20%(TalentSmart).
  • A study by Harvard found that 85% of job success comes from well-developed soft skills.

That’s a solid return for what is often considered a “soft” investment.

🔄 Real-World Impact: A Quick Example

Let’s say a mid-sized business invests in a one-day Everything DiSC® workshop for its leadership team, followed by coaching sessions. After the training, they report:

  • Fewer miscommunications between departments
  • Improved morale and trust in the leadership team
  • Increased confidence in handling tough conversations
  • A measurable improvement in team project completion time

Over the next 6 months, employee turnover drops by 12%, and replacing just one employee can cost up to £30,000 when you consider recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity. Multiply that across the team, and the ROI becomes crystal clear.

🎯 Why It Works: The Science Behind the Skills

People skills training, like Everything DiSC, helps individuals understand themselves and others better. That means:

  • More empathy and less friction
  • More clarity and fewer assumptions
  • Faster decision-making and fewer roadblocks

When teams communicate more effectively and respect one another’s working styles, collaboration becomes easier, conflict becomes more productive, and performance increases.

🧩 What to Look For in a People Skills Programme

Not all training is created equal. Here’s what to prioritise when choosing a programme:

Practical and Actionable: Theory is grand, but will your team use it on Monday morning?
Tailored to Your Team: One-size-fits-all doesn’t work regarding communication and behaviour.
Backed by a Proven Model: Like Everything DiSC, which is based on decades of research and trusted by millions.
Follow-Up Support: A single workshop won’t shift behaviour – ongoing coaching or resources are key.

🧠 Leaders: This is YOUR Competitive Advantage

As a leader, your job isn’t just strategy; it’s enabling people to execute that strategy well. That means reducing friction, boosting morale, and building team trust.

Investing in people skills doesn’t just make your team nicer, it makes them faster, wiser, more resilient, and more profitable.

📥 Ready to See the Data for Yourself?

👉 Download our FREE PDF: “The ROI of People Skills Training”
Packed with stats, insights, and examples to help you build the business case.

Download Now >

Or let’s chat! Book a free consultation to see how Everything DiSC and behavioural coaching can drive results for your organisation.

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