Behavioural Skills That Drive Success in UK Businesses
Do you want your team to work better together, communicate clearly, and solve problems faster?
Behavioural skills training can help turn any group of employees into a more confident, connected, and high-performing team.
Why Behavioural Skills Matter for UK Businesses
In today’s fast-changing workplace, employers in the UK are looking beyond technical knowledge.
According to startup.co.uk, 64% of employers now prioritise soft or behavioural skills when hiring in 2025 — often more than technical ability.
Industries That Value Behavioural Skills the Most
Technology and Software: 74%
Finance and Fintech: 66%
Hospitality and Tourism: 62%
Manufacturing and Engineering: 61%
Consulting and Services: 61%
E-commerce and Retail: 61%
Healthcare and Life Sciences: 60%
These figures make one thing clear — behavioural skills aren’t optional anymore.
Even as artificial intelligence takes over some tasks, human qualities like empathy, communication, and decision-making remain irreplaceable.
Pie chart showing that 64% of UK employers prioritise soft skills in hiring, with Technology and Software leading at 74%.
How Behavioural Skills Improve Team Performance
Strong behavioural skills help teams handle pressure, adapt to change, and work together effectively.
Companies that invest in this kind of training often see:
Better communication between departments
Fewer conflicts and misunderstandings
A stronger sense of trust and teamwork
When employees understand each other’s behaviour and working styles, projects move faster and stress levels drop.
Common Behavioural Challenges in the Workplace
Many UK businesses face the same issues when it comes to behaviour at work. Even one employee’s poor communication or attitude can affect the whole team.
Here are some of the most common challenges:
1. Bias and Communication Problems
When bias exists, people hold back ideas or avoid giving feedback.
Poor communication can lead to confusion, frustration, and lower work quality.
2. Conflict Management and Adaptability
Teams that can’t manage disagreements or adapt to change often struggle to stay productive.
In today’s workplace — where priorities can shift overnight — adaptability is a must.
Business leaders often say behavioural issues cause more problems than technical gaps.
A modern office scene showing employees in a tense discussion, symbolising behavioural challenges like conflict and miscommunication at work.
Expert Views: Why Behavioural Skills Build Stronger Teams
A successful team isn’t made up only of skilled professionals — it’s built by people who listen, support, and grow together.
Albert Bandura – Learning Through Experience
Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1977) reminds us that people learn by watching others.
This means skills like empathy, teamwork, and communication can be developed through real-world experiences and practice.
“Learning would be exceedingly laborious... if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions.”
— Albert Bandura
John B. Watson – Behaviour Can Be Trained
Watson believed that behaviour isn’t fixed — it can be shaped by the right training and environment.
This supports the idea that behavioural skills can be developed step by step, not just taught.
Lynda Gratton – Human Skills in the Age of AI
Gratton, a professor at London Business School, explains that empathy, collaboration, and creativity are what truly separate humans from machines.
“Human ‘soft skills’ are becoming increasingly valuable — skills that machines are generally poor at.”
— Lynda Gratton
Peter Cheese – The Human Foundation of Success
According to the CEO of the CIPD, Peter Cheese, behavioural and attitudinal skills are the core of productivity and innovation.
Companies that nurture them stay resilient and adaptable, no matter how the world changes.
“Most essential skills are profoundly human... and hard to replace with technology.”
— Peter Cheese
Behavioural Skills from Expert Views: John B Watson
Why Human-Centric Skills Still Matter in the Age of AI
Gratton highlights that the growing economic value of human capabilities, such as empathy, collaboration, and creativity, could define behavioural skills and distinguish humans from technology in today’s digital-driven workplace.
“At the same time, we know that human ‘soft skills’ are becoming increasingly valuable — skills such as empathy, collaboration, and creativity – those that machines are generally poor at.”
Cheese emphasised that behavioural skills are the primary foundation of productivity and innovation. Organisations that develop them will be more adaptive to change and more resilient in facing future challenges.
“Most of these essential skills are profoundly human. They are behavioural and attitudinal, and hard to replace with technology.”
From Watson’s early recognition that behaviour can be trained to Gratton and Cheese’s emphasis on its economic and organisational impact, the common thread is clear: behavioural skills matter. They make teams stronger, leaders wiser, and organisations more resilient for the future.
How to Develop Behavioural Skills in Your Team
Understanding why these skills matter is only half the journey. The real challenge is turning awareness into action.
Across the UK, more companies are choosing immersive experiential learning — a hands-on approach that helps people learn through real experiences rather than theory.
Why Traditional Training Isn’t Enough Anymore
Many traditional training programmes fail because they focus on knowledge, not behaviour. They teach what to do — but not how to do it in real life.
Immersive experiential learning solves this by letting employees practise skills in realistic situations. This kind of training creates lasting change, not just short-term awareness.
Examples of Immersive Behavioural Skills Training
Bias Awareness Sessions: Encouraging open discussions that reduce hidden biases and boost creativity.
Role Play for Communication: Practising empathy, active listening, and confident conversation in realistic settings.
Teamwork Simulations: Creating time-sensitive challenges that test adaptability, leadership, and trust.
Through these real-world exercises, behaviour changes naturally and effectively.
Help your team become stronger through behavioural skills training.
Let Sidestream Help Your Team Grow
At Sidestream, we believe strong behavioural skills are the foundation of every successful team.
The evidence from UK research and business leaders is clear: success now depends not only on what people know, but on how they connect, collaborate, and grow together.
Traditional training can’t do that alone.
Your team needs real learning experiences that spark change, build empathy, and create lasting teamwork.
👉 Book a free call with Sidestream today to discover how immersive experiential learning can strengthen your team’s behavioural skills, overcome everyday challenges, and unlock its full potential.
