Safely developing soft skills through virtual reality
2025/05/06
In a constantly evolving work world, soft skills—like communication, listening, empathy, stress management, and assertiveness—have become essential. They influence not only our professional performance but also our daily well-being. They can have a direct impact on preventing burnout and other workplace distress. But are they innate, or can they really be developed? And how can virtual reality play a role in this learning process?
Are soft skills innate or learned?
Good news: soft skills are more learned than innate. This means they can be improved and even transformed over time.
“You can read self-help books to improve interpersonal skills, but nothing replaces experience,” says our psychologist, Stéphanie Delroisse. “Living situations, feeling emotions, testing different behaviors—that’s what really anchors learning.”
And today, one tool allows these experiences to happen in total safety: virtual reality.
“You can read self-help books to improve interpersonal skills, but nothing replaces experience,” says our psychologist, Stéphanie Delroisse. “Living situations, feeling emotions, testing different behaviors—that’s what really anchors learning.”
And today, one tool allows these experiences to happen in total safety: virtual reality.
Why virtual reality effectively helps develop soft skills
Virtual reality offers an immersive space where you can test behaviors, explore your reactions, and—most importantly—make mistakes… without consequences.
“Do you dream of saying no to your manager but never dare? In VR, you can test that situation safely. You can even say everything you think—without fear of consequences,” smiles our psychologist.
This safe setting allows users to approach sensitive situations—like giving feedback, managing conflict, asking for help, or asserting themselves—with more freedom and less pressure.
“Do you dream of saying no to your manager but never dare? In VR, you can test that situation safely. You can even say everything you think—without fear of consequences,” smiles our psychologist.
This safe setting allows users to approach sensitive situations—like giving feedback, managing conflict, asking for help, or asserting themselves—with more freedom and less pressure.
The Melimpus Immersive Experience: Concrete examples
This is where Melimpus VR comes in—a tool specifically designed to support soft skill development in the workplace. Through realistic, interactive scenarios, users can practice:
- Saying no without guilt
- Giving constructive criticism
- Responding calmly to difficult remarks
- Asking for support
- Improving listening skills
Each experience is customizable, with immediate feedback that allows rapid and concrete progress
- Saying no without guilt
- Giving constructive criticism
- Responding calmly to difficult remarks
- Asking for support
- Improving listening skills
Each experience is customizable, with immediate feedback that allows rapid and concrete progress
Measured impact on workplace well-being
Why focus on soft skills to enhance well-being? Because they directly affect personal resources, as explained by our psychologist through the Job Demands-Resources Model:
“Soft skills like empathy, emotional regulation, and assertive communication help boost resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy. They also foster a healthier, more respectful work climate. It’s a way to strengthen personal resources—a key to preventing burnout.”
However, she adds a nuance: “Companies must also manage work demands—mental load, objectives, team atmosphere… Soft skills can't fix everything, but they help you cope better.”
“Soft skills like empathy, emotional regulation, and assertive communication help boost resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy. They also foster a healthier, more respectful work climate. It’s a way to strengthen personal resources—a key to preventing burnout.”
However, she adds a nuance: “Companies must also manage work demands—mental load, objectives, team atmosphere… Soft skills can't fix everything, but they help you cope better.”
Want to try it out?
Ready to face a difficult situation… safely?
With Melimpus VR, you can now explore your relational habits and train your brain to respond differently.
Want to test your soft skills in VR? Contact us and jump on board for a more human, connected, and resilient workplace.
With Melimpus VR, you can now explore your relational habits and train your brain to respond differently.
Want to test your soft skills in VR? Contact us and jump on board for a more human, connected, and resilient workplace.
