Put Insight into Action with Skills Training

Learn the difference between skills training and therapy and how they can complement each other to help keep you out of the Red Zone and lead your teams to the best of your collective abilities.

As a reformed perfectionist, I get the desire to do things “right.”

When I was in school, I used to kill myself striving for straight A’s and perfect test scores, to the detriment, unfortunately, of my social life and relationships. At the time, I was proud of my pursuit of perfection; however, at some point along the way, I realized that I wasn’t really happy. On the contrary, I was overwhelmed and filled with self-doubt.

It wasn’t until I took a step back from constantly trying to achieve that I started taking stock of my mental health. I began to unpack a deep-seated fear of failure clouding my vision. However, this psychological understanding could only take me so far. Theoretically, it all made sense, but in the heat of the moment—living deep in the Red Zone—all logic goes out the window. That’s when skills training can help complement therapy.

By learning practical techniques for stress management and effective communication, I gained a profound sense of self-awareness and healing. Armed with tangible tools, I now navigate and live daily life with confidence.

Exploring the Complementary Nature of Therapy and Skills Training

While different from a practical approach, both therapy and skills training aim for holistic healing and personal growth. The sweet spot is the synergy between these approaches and how they can play a valuable role in supporting mental health and well-being—often complementing each other within a comprehensive treatment plan.

How to put skills training into practice in the workplace.

There are many ways to implement skills training in your office environment. First, identify critical areas for improvement and seek professional training sessions to address these needs.

This could include:

• Communication Skills Training
• Leadership Development Programs
• Diversity and Inclusion Training
• Time Management and Productivity Workshops
• Stress Management and Resilience Training

Reinforce newly learned skills training by adopting a growth mindset culture in your organization. Practice providing regular feedback, celebrating small wins, and learning from setbacks.

Team building activities also help foster collaboration, trust, and communication among team members. You can encourage participation in team-building exercises such as problem-solving challenges, outdoor activities, or volunteer projects.

By implementing skills training in the workplace, organizations can empower employees to develop and refine essential skills, leading to improved performance, job satisfaction, and overall success. When paired with other mental health opportunities and initiatives, these practical tools and techniques can help even the most die-hard perfectionist learn to lower levels of distress and cultivate a more competent, confident, and enjoyable approach to life inside (and outside!) work.