Designed with this in mind, an MBA gives students a concentrated period of exposure to the kinds of challenges they will face in their careers. This includes everything from data-driven decision-making and public speaking to working with peers from around the world and contributing to live business projects.
Rather than separating technical and human skills, an MBA encourages students to develop both in parallel.
So, what are some of the skills you’ll need in the future workplace? And how can you learn them during an MBA?
1. Analytical thinking
Good analysis underpins almost every business decision. Whether it’s reviewing sales figures, preparing a business case, or responding to shifting customer needs, it helps to be able to make sense of information and draw clear conclusions.
MBA students at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management develop this skill in many ways. Analytical thinking comes through during classroom discussions, where cases are examined from different angles, and in the various applied settings students enter within the course.
These include Global Consulting Projects, where they work with international clients on real business problems; and the OnBoard Fellowship, where students spend six to eight months on the ground with non-profit boards, tackling governance and strategy challenges for organizations with limited resources.
Some choose to go further through electives such as Business Problem Solving: A Model-Based Approach, which explores how managers think and how those thought processes can be improved. Others focus on building technical fluency, learning tools such as Python and SQL in data-focused courses.
For those who want to specialize, the Data Analytics and Modelling emphasis draws on Rotman’s strength in academic research—its faculty ranks 12th globally, according to the Financial Times—to allow students to apply these skills in more advanced contexts, often using real-world datasets and industry tools.
2. Creative problem-solving
Business problems rarely present themselves in ideal conditions. When time is limited or outcomes are uncertain, the ability to approach problems from different angles is paramount.
As routine work becomes more automated, this kind of creative thinking becomes harder to replace. According to the World Economic Forum, its importance is projected to grow by 66% by 2030.
At Rotman, students can develop this thinking through electives focused on creativity and innovation across marketing, financial services, and design—including courses such as Creativity and Innovation, and FinTech Marketing—or by specializing in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Business Design, where they apply design thinking and business modeling to new ventures.
A key opportunity to apply this thinking is through the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL). Here, students work with early-stage science and technology startups by developing financial models, evaluating markets, and fine-tuning business strategy.
3. Communication
Strong ideas don’t carry much weight if they aren’t communicated clearly. That might mean persuading a client, contributing clearly to a fast-moving team discussion, or delivering a message with authority.
As an MBA student, you'll have plenty of opportunities to build this skill. Beyond classroom presentations and group discussions, Rotman offers access to a Self-Development Lab—a space where students receive detailed feedback on their communication style, behavioral performance, and leadership presence.
Electives in areas such as negotiation, power and influence, and effective leadership provide further chances for each student to develop as a communicator, while the day-to-day rhythm of teamwork, casework, and in-class debate helps turn theory into habit, reinforcing their communication abilities and preparing them for life working alongside others in the workplace.
4. Leadership
Leadership is often thought of as a role, but it’s more accurately a set of behaviors. In the workplace, knowing how to give feedback and make decisions under pressure is essential to bringing the best out of a team—especially in times of uncertainty.
During the MBA, Rotman students are exposed to a range of decision-making situations—from small teams to high-pressure projects. These experiences give students the space to observe how they lead and where they want to improve.
Outside of the classroom, they can take on hands-on responsibilities through student clubs, consulting teams, or fellowship opportunities.
The Leadership Development Lab is another place where students can hone their leadership skills. Building on the foundations of the Self-Development Lab and focusing on core leadership behaviors such as accountability, initiative, and decision-making under pressure, students grow their leadership skills and learn how they can strengthen their impact in complex situations through immersive exercises and regular feedback sessions.
5. Adaptability in diverse environments
One of the most valuable aspects of an MBA is the people you study alongside. Students come from a wide range of industries, academic backgrounds, and cultures—which means your ideas, assumptions, and working style are constantly being molded.
As teams become more global, hybrid, and cross-functional, adaptability is key to working effectively with others.
Early in the Rotman MBA program, students take core courses in Leveraging Diverse Teams and Leading People in Organizations, which focus on understanding group dynamics, communication habits, and how individuals contribute to team performance.
Over time, the variety of team settings—whether in a boardroom during the OnBoard Fellowship, on a startup project with CDL, or in a classroom discussion with peers from more than 20 countries—encourages students to learn adaptability and work productively with people who think differently.
An MBA gives you structured exposure to situations that are becoming more common in the workplace. With the right combination of technical knowledge and soft skills, graduates are better equipped to take on roles that demand both.
