Essential skills consulting
by BESSI Lab

Build the Human Skills that Matter Most

We help individuals and teams build the essential human skills that drive leadership, collaboration, productivity, resilience, and innovation. Backed by science. Tailored for real-world success.

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Essential Skills

What Are Human Skills?

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Human social, emotional, and behavioral skills are the capacities people use every day to connect with others, manage emotions, work toward goals, and learn from experience. These are not fixed traits—they’re skills that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.

Essential human skills include:

Social engagement skills, like leading discussions and persuading others
Cooperation skills, like collaborating effectively and building trust
Self-management skills, like setting goals, staying organized, and following through
Emotional resilience skills, like managing stress and staying confident
Innovation skills, like thinking creatively and adapting to change

Research shows that human skills are key predictors of success in school, work, relationships, health, and well-being. They’re not just “soft” skills—they’re essential.

What We Do

We Help People and Teams Thrive

View Our Services

Skills Assessment

Measure individual or team strengths using the Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Skills Inventory (BESSI)

Skills Coaching

Personalized coaching to build and apply human skills in real-world settings

Workshops

Interactive sessions designed to assess and build human skills through hands-on learning and group practice

Keynotes

Engaging, research-informed talks that introduce the science and impact of human skills

Who We Are

We’re a team of scientists and practitioners helping people and organizations build the skills that matter most.

Meet Our Team

Essential Skills Consulting was founded by six leading experts in the science of human skills.

We created the Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Skills Inventory (BESSI) to bring cutting-edge science into the real world—helping individuals and teams grow in ways that are practical, measurable, and meaningful.

Our mission is simple: Help people and organizations thrive by building the skills that support leadership, collaboration, productivity, resilience, and innovation.

Current and Past Partners

Ready to Build Essential Human Skills?

Whether you’re looking to support a team, host a workshop, or explore your own growth, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how we can support your goals with evidence-based tools and personalized support.

Let’s Work TOgether
Let's Work Together
Let's Work Together