The evidence is mounting. Experts are weighing in on topics like talent trends, next-generation skills and the best workforce response to the growth of AI (artificial intelligence). They might be using different words and citing different research, but they are arriving at the same conclusion: the future of work is dependent on human skills.

We couldn’t agree more.

Consider this from the Jacobsen Group 2019 Talent Trends Guide: “The reimagining of work we are experiencing cries out for fresh talent with well-honed emotional intelligence and expertise broader than technical know-how. This evolving reality ignites a need for “soft skills” that only humans can possess.”

Or this from the Harvard Business Review: “Those who want to stay relevant in their professions will need to focus on skills and capabilities that artificial intelligence has trouble replicating — understanding, motivating, and interacting with human beings.”

Regarding the skills gap many businesses are experiencing as they integrate AI technologies, CEOs surveyed in the PwC’s 22^nd Annual Global CEO Survey had this to say: “A culture of adaptability and lifelong learning will be crucial to spreading the benefits of AI and related technologies widely through society.”

Traits like authenticity and skills like emotional intelligence are the key to setting yourself apart in an AI world. Emotional intelligence, or emotional quotient (EQ), is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. Yes, AI tools are being programmed to learn emotional intelligence, but it’s no replacement for the real thing. As many of you have no doubt experienced, we are already out of practice picking up on the visual cues, non-verbal behaviors and body language that help us interpret the emotions of the people around us.

At Powers Resource Center, we feel that this talent trend is actually an opportunity. Don’t fear the coming of the bots but rather become an expert in what they lack. There can be no doubt that in our increasingly disconnected, virtual work environments, the organizations that recognize the importance of human connection and emotional intelligence will rise to the top. Make sure you are part of that rise.   

If you or your teams need to brush up on your “human” skills, we recommend DiSC Certification and Wiley’s Everything DiSC suite of products. It provides unbiased language to talk about your own strengths and weaknesses and understand people’s behavioral differences. Contact us to get started!