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Workplace Communication, Leadership Language, and Soft Skills Training in Saudi Organizational Development

Mahamed Adam

Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities  ·  Area of research: Organizational Development

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719742

Abstract

Background: Organizations in Saudi Arabia face a reform agenda requiring high levels of communication dexterity, inclusive leadership and capability building in order to implement the Vision 2030. In addition to being crucial, technical skills are becoming less important than effective leadership, including problem-framing, conversation conducting, conflict management, coaching and transfer of learning through training courses. Therefore, the aim of this review is to examine the interaction among workplace communication, leadership communication and training for soft skills development as three interconnected instruments for enhancing capability building of Saudi organizations. Aim: To summarize the literature on recent trends published in 2020-2025 and generate an applied framework for cultivating leadership capacity enhanced with communication competence in Saudi companies. Methodology: Narrative review method was used. The selection of scholarly papers encompassed peer-reviewed journal articles, systematic reviews, professional writings and governmental reports covering leadership communication, transfer of training, soft skills development, psychological safety, capability building and Saudi Arabia reforms. Synthesis followed a rigorous procedure comprised of searching, screening, data collection and thematic analysis of the sources. Results: Four main themes were identified: leadership language as a medium of culture; communication techniques as a coordination system; soft skills as transfer challenge rather than instruction delivery issue; and organizational development in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of hierarchy, multiculturalism, Saudization, gender balance and digitalization. Discussion: Literature evidence points out that soft skills training has added value for organization in case realistic scenarios, managerial coaching, feedback approach, metric dashboard, and community of practice are implemented. Conclusion: Communication processes and leadership language should be considered by Saudi organizations as a critical resource for building trust, satisfying customers, fostering innovation, and engaging employees.

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How to cite this paper

Mahamed Adam "Workplace Communication, Leadership Language, and Soft Skills Training in Saudi Organizational Development" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 10 Issue 1 2026 Page 1188-1199 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719742
Mahamed Adam "Workplace Communication, Leadership Language, and Soft Skills Training in Saudi Organizational Development" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719742
Mahamed Adam (2026). Workplace Communication, Leadership Language, and Soft Skills Training in Saudi Organizational Development. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 10(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719742
Mahamed Adam "Workplace Communication, Leadership Language, and Soft Skills Training in Saudi Organizational Development" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719742
@article{1719742,
      author = {Mahamed Adam},
      title = {Workplace Communication, Leadership Language, and Soft Skills Training in Saudi Organizational Development},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {1},
      pages = {1188-1199},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719742.pdf},
      abstract = {Background: Organizations in Saudi Arabia face a reform agenda requiring high levels of communication dexterity, inclusive leadership and capability building in order to implement the Vision 2030. In addition to being crucial, technical skills are becoming less important than effective leadership, including problem-framing, conversation conducting, conflict management, coaching and transfer of learning through training courses. Therefore, the aim of this review is to examine the interaction among workplace communication, leadership communication and training for soft skills development as three interconnected instruments for enhancing capability building of Saudi organizations. Aim: To summarize the literature on recent trends published in 2020-2025 and generate an applied framework for cultivating leadership capacity enhanced with communication competence in Saudi companies. Methodology: Narrative review method was used. The selection of scholarly papers encompassed peer-reviewed journal articles, systematic reviews, professional writings and governmental reports covering leadership communication, transfer of training, soft skills development, psychological safety, capability building and Saudi Arabia reforms. Synthesis followed a rigorous procedure comprised of searching, screening, data collection and thematic analysis of the sources. Results: Four main themes were identified: leadership language as a medium of culture; communication techniques as a coordination system; soft skills as transfer challenge rather than instruction delivery issue; and organizational development in Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of hierarchy, multiculturalism, Saudization, gender balance and digitalization. Discussion: Literature evidence points out that soft skills training has added value for organization in case realistic scenarios, managerial coaching, feedback approach, metric dashboard, and community of practice are implemented. Conclusion: Communication processes and leadership language should be considered by Saudi organizations as a critical resource for building trust, satisfying customers, fostering innovation, and engaging employees.},
      month = {July},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719742}
  }