WIMA Europe Masterclass Explores Soft Skills in Maritime Leadership
- Dr. Anna KaradenchevaExpert in Organizational Behavior
- Hristina MihaylovaExpert in International Projects
WIMA Europe hosted a Masterclass in Batumi focused on the role of soft skills in building stronger, more adaptable maritime careers.
The session, titled “Soft Skills as a Competitive Advantage for Women in Maritime Careers,” brought together maritime professionals, academics, and students to explore how communication, adaptability, leadership, and conflict resolution contribute to professional growth in today’s evolving maritime sector.
The Masterclass was led by experts from the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Bulgaria: Dr. Anna Karadencheva, Expert in Organizational Behavior, and Kristina Mihaylova, Expert in International Projects.
Through the interactive “Leadership Journey” framework, participants explored practical approaches to social awareness, communication adaptability, and conflict resolution, with a focus on how these competencies can be applied in professional maritime environments.
Dr. Karadencheva emphasized the growing importance of human-centered skills alongside technical expertise:
“There is nothing ‘soft’ about soft skills. In an automated maritime industry, no technology can replace trust, ethical decision-making, or true leadership.”
Hristina Mihaylova also highlighted the importance of connecting professional development with international opportunities and building strategic competencies for the next generation of maritime leaders.
The Masterclass reflects WIMA Europe’s continued focus on professional development, knowledge exchange, and creating stronger connections between industry, academia, and emerging maritime professionals.
The WIMA Europe Masterclass Series was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Denmark.