This article is sponsored by Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Online institutions like Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offer working professionals a host of important soft skills alongside a degree and certificate material.
It is common for rising professionals to feel like they’re missing some key skills since so much of day-to-day deftness comes with experience. They can find a springboard for professional growth through online degrees and certificates like those at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The flexibility and affordability of these programs make it easy to acquire career-enhancing knowledge and build beneficial relationships. Alumni say the clear benefits and more subtle nuances gleaned through the programs offer well-rounded skills that help careers grow.
Leading with confidence
Before starting the iMBA program at Gies, Samantha Dascomb relied on savvy and intuition when guiding teams through transitions.
“I had strong instincts about leadership and decision-making,” Dascomb says. “However, I came to realize I lacked a detailed understanding and a structured framework to make data-driven decisions with certainty. This limited my capacity to effect real change and impact in my business.”
Dascomb gained the knowledge she needed in her Statistics for Decision-Making course. The class altered her approach to decision-making.
“Rather than relying on intuition or following trends, I now use quantitative analysis to empower my choices using data and predictive tools,” Dascomb says. “This shift is helping me act decisively in my business, specifically as we navigate a changing environment with challenges I can’t rely on my gut to navigate.”
Dascomb gives the example of decisions she has to make about an international expansion she’s planning for her business. Her Gies Business coursework taught her how to analyze variables, assess risk and evaluate the ROI of her options before committing resources. The strategy put her plan in order. She is on track for expansion in two years.
“Leadership confidence isn’t just about self-assurance—it’s about clarity in action,” said Dascomb. “My Gies MBA journey is strengthening my ability to make sound decisions under pressure and communicate them in a way that earns trust and drives alignment.”
People skills
Working with people – developing relationships and managing teams – calls for humility and authenticity, as Jakob Wiig discovered through his experience at Gies Business. He credits the Leadership and Teams course he took with helping him improve the one-to-one meetings he holds with his team members.
“Previously I focused primarily on task management and outcomes,” he said. “The course taught me the importance of balancing performance expectations with self-organization.”
Wiig changed his approach, implementing a more relational, advocate-oriented meeting strategy. He saw immediate improvement in team performance and relationships, and his own management skills.
“This shift in leadership style not only enhanced team dynamics but also strengthened my ability to lead with clarity and purpose,” said Wiig.
Prudent negotiation
Skillful negotiation is an art form, requiring the ability to successfully balance the needs and priorities of different stakeholders, according to Gies Business MBA candidate Rawan Elshair.
Elshair cites the example of a time when she received a recommendation from her management team that, while well intentioned, would have compromised business operations.
“The proposal aimed to mitigate a potential risk but would have disrupted our salesforce and strained resources,” Elshair says. “I emphasized understanding my manager’s concerns and priorities and helped facilitate a productive discussion that explored alternative solutions to address the risk while minimizing business disruption.”
The experience underscored for her the importance of preparation, active listening and creative problem-solving, skills she learned during her time at Gies.
“Gies’ MBA courses provided me with the techniques I need to manage these complex situations,” Elshair says.
Whether learning to sell a strategy or working toward a promotion, MBA candidates discover the best way to get to yes. A Gies survey of alumni shows that iMBA graduates realize an average 23% pay increase, and 56% receive a promotion, new position or job offer during their studies. Learn more about the iMBA program at Gies Business.