Soft Skills, the competitive differentiator in the age of AI

In the past two decades, we’ve been showered with of technological innovations promising to simplify our lives, boost efficiency, and usher in prosperity. This era has seen a significant shift toward tech-based education, touted as the definitive path forward in the information age. 

Unfortunately, such a shift came at the expense of humanistic subjects and skills, grouped under the umbrella of “soft” skills, with the word “soft” almost acquiring a derogatory, belittling quality. 

I still recall when discussing my education with a previous employer, and when addressing my background in art, philosophy and humanities, his comment was: “Ah, so mainly soft stuff”. We then agreed that such a background, applied to my job back then in sales, provided me with an edge, but I still recall the initial dismissive tinge in uttering the word “soft”. 

13 years later, much of what I was doing back then looks prehistoric and many tasks have been automated, gradually freeing up time and also freeing up… offices. I have already seen many processes being streamlined, many companies “reducing their employee’s footprint” or any other corporate poetry hinting at firing people. 

Is this a new phenomenon? Not really. However, with the rapid pace of technological innovation, it's happening even faster and impacting not just blue-collar jobs but also white-collar positions. What's the solution? Should we all rush to acquire the next big technical skill, or are we doomed if we don't become prompt engineers?

Let’s look at what is happening in Silicon Valley and at prominent tech companies. Many of the tech jobs that were exceptionally well paid until yesterday are now at risk, or at least demand an adaptation in line with the automation of much of what was regarded as high value skills. 

And to exacerbate this disorientation and fear about work stability, ChatGPT came along, and AI became the talk of 2023 in offices, at bars and even at home. Everyone is excited, afraid, disoriented and sometimes all of that at once. 

So, what's the right course of action? Rejecting technological innovation or downplaying its potential isn't the wisest choice. On the other hand, suggesting that traditional education and skills are becoming obsolete because AI will replace us in everything, pushing everyone to become prompt engineers, is neither appealing nor wise.

Whenever I hear such excitement, I'm reminded of Pixar's "Wall-e," where humans automated everything to the point of becoming overweight and atrophied as technology replaced their need to think and move.

What if instead of being lured by the "next big thing," we embrace it with curiosity and a critical eye while also refining skills that are permanent and have always been valuable throughout history? You know…the soft ones we mentioned earlier? E.g Communication, teamwork, critical thinking, adaptability, leadership. 

Is AI and technological innovation replacing or overshadowing these skills? Quite the opposite—they are resurfacing as a genuine competitive advantage, especially in tech jobs.

Think of what a data professional was regarded a decade ago. An IT professional, needing hard skills to make the “IT stuff” work. 

Today, we suddenly hear about the importance of strategy, communication, data culture, translating Data value into Business value and we are witnessing the data professional gradually becoming a speaker, a communicator, a strategist and a bridge between IT and Business. 

At ThinkLinkers, from the very beginning we gave ample space to the development and refinement of soft skills, hosting full day workshops on “how to sell the value of Data” and stakeholder management. Today, when we read more and more about soft skills, when we see Forbes renaming them leadership skills, we like to think that our 7 years bet is paying off. 

Moreover, we are doubling down with the launch of the first of a series of seminars for Data professionals named “Soft Skills for Data People: The Secret is Communication”, aimed at professionals who seek a source to learn how to communicate effectively and how to translate their ideas into reality. If you haven’t signed up already, this is the time to do so.

Link to the course: https://thinklinkers.thinkific.com/courses/softskillsdata 

There are 8 chapters, plenty of practical exercises, and two coaches that complement each other: me, covering the knowledge side with my background and a decade in selling in the Data Management space, and Christelle Patriarca, a Data practitioner, lover and leader who actually managed to spark data awareness and prompted real change in any organisation she has worked with and for. 

But let’s get back to our point.

In the age of AI, automation, rapid job transformation, and creation, the best approach is to maintain an open, curious mind while applying critical thinking and honing soft skills. 

Without a doubt, the need for them is higher than ever, especially as we are called to guide humanity through these tumultuous times, and ensure we stay in control of AI instead of the other way around. 

That way, we will find ourselves possessing superpowers, the only ones that can tame the side effects of AI and then maybe, just maybe, fear and disorientation will be replaced by prosperity, growth and the betterment of all of us.