Core facilities in academic research settings represent essential service centres which provide fundamental operational support and specialized knowledge to foster scientific breakthroughs. Effective facility management requires both specialized technical knowledge and essential soft skills including communication and leadership capabilities that foster teamwork along with innovative approaches. This white paper underscores the critical role of soft skills in the successful operation of core facilities and advocates for the professional development of facility directors through targeted soft skills training, as demonstrated by The Soft Skills Group's partnership with Bioimaging North America.