Hard skills may land the job, but soft skills are what make community health workers (CHWs) successful. Healthcare is shifting toward patient-centered, team-based care. Now emotional intelligence and adaptability are just as essential as making referrals.
Think of these soft skills as the “glue” that makes the CHW role work—especially when juggling trust, trauma, and tight timelines. Top soft skills like communication and leadership are in high demand across healthcare in 2024.
Here’s your 2025 cheat sheet: the 11 most important soft skills for CHWs, plus real-world examples that show how they pay off in practice.
→ Click here to download a guide to CHW core competency requirements in every state [Free Guide].
Core competencies like documentation and advocacy are easy to list and train. But soft skills—like emotional resilience or collaboration—are just as critical. These human abilities make CHWs successful, trusted, and respected in the field. In fact, you can read a list of what those competencies are and the sub-skills included in them right here.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are a mix of traits, behaviors, and attitudes that make it easier to get along with others and work effectively with others. They’re also important to any health worker job, including for CHWs, in which building rapport with clients is central.
Hard skills, on the other hand, are generally easier to identify and build in yourself or your staff. Examples of hard or technical skills are:
- Organizational skills, such as scheduling appointments with clients and patients
- Reading vital signs, such as measuring blood pressure
- Documentation skills, like note-taking or updating client records
Building soft skills in community health workers
Hard skills like those listed above are straightforward to teach. They’re clearly measured and defined for a job.
Some people seem to be born with good soft skills. They don’t necessarily need extra support to do what they’re already good at. But soft skills can also be developed. If you’re a supervisor, you can also learn to look for them and train your team in them. Soft skills are the ones that make up a career.
1. Communication
Clear, empathetic communication is the top skill hiring managers want. CHWs translate across systems and cultures—sometimes literally. There’s a gap in communication training across all healthcare. It’s important to fill it.
Example: A CHW helps a client understand a complicated medical bill using simple language and visuals.
2. Empathy
Empathy builds trust, especially in communities with reasons to be skeptical of healthcare.
Example: Instead of pushing a screening, a CHW listens to a client’s fears and offers to go with them.
3. Emotional Intelligence (EI)
EI helps CHWs manage their own stress and respond to the emotions of others without shutting down or escalating tension.
Example: A CHW calmly navigates a tense home visit, turning frustration into collaboration.
4. Cultural Humility
No one knows everything. CHWs who approach difference with humility, curiosity, and respect are far more effective.
Example: A CHW adjusts their approach when working with a refugee family by asking questions rather than making assumptions.
5. Adaptability
Pandemics, policy changes, or just canceled appointments—CHWs need to think on their feet.
Example: When a mobile clinic gets delayed, a CHW reroutes patients to a nearby resource on the fly.
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6. Critical Thinking
Smart decisions aren’t just for clinicians. CHWs need to make judgment calls too.
Example: A CHW notices several elderly clients with mobility issues and suggests offering home visits.
7. Collaboration
Healthcare is a team sport. CHWs who collaborate well raise the bar for everyone.
Example: A CHW, case manager, and provider co-create a care plan that’s both realistic and culturally relevant.
8. Conflict Resolution
When tensions flare between clients, families, or coworkers, CHWs often serve as peacemakers.
Example: A CHW resolves a standoff between a client and front desk staff by clarifying expectations.
9. Resilience
The job is rewarding, but tough. Resilient CHWs don’t burn out—they bounce back.
Example: After supporting a grieving family, a CHW takes a mental health day and debriefs with a mentor.
10. Ethics
Boundaries, confidentiality, and professionalism aren’t optional—they’re the foundation of trust.
Example: A CHW gently declines a favor that crosses into clinical territory, and explains why.
11. Initiative
No one wants to micromanage. CHWs who take initiative solve problems before they become crises.
Example: A CHW sees a gap in transportation services and partners with a local nonprofit to fill it.
Originally published in 2021. Updated for 2025 with the latest insights and best practices.
Soft skills are just one part of a well-trained community health workforce.
Download the CHW Core Competencies Resource Guide to see how your team measures up—and what to train on next.
- Covers essential CHW domains
- Includes state-by-state requirements
- Great for team leads, program managers, and HR
Or explore our Core Competencies Training Program and get your whole team aligned.