5 soft skills that set exceptional leaders apart

"At this year's Web Summit in Lisbon, Hayden Brown, president and CEO of Upwork, was asked which leadership skills are most in demand today. Her answer was immediate: The demand for soft skills is rising. As AI algorithms increasingly take over routine tasks, the qualities that can't be automated-communication clarity, the ability to work effectively with people, and conflict-resolution skills-are becoming essential for career growth."

"This trend extends far beyond the tech sector. According to LinkedIn's Work Change Report, 70% of skills used across most professions will change by 2030; AI will be the main catalyst. Against this backdrop, I've become convinced that soft skills have no "expiration date." They are what determine whether a leader can keep their team productive even during periods of radical change or crisis."

"Imagine that one of your team member's productivity drops threefold: They used to complete at least 15 tasks weekly, but now barely finish five. When evaluating the situation only through metrics, the leader might say: "I see you're working slower. Can you fix this?" The answer will be predictable: "Yes, I'll try harder." And nothing will change. I've noticed that how a leader makes an employee feel during a difficult moment directly affects their engagement, trust, and performance."

Soft skills are rising in demand as AI automates routine tasks and shifts work requirements. Seventy percent of skills used across most professions will change by 2030, with AI as the main catalyst. Soft skills determine whether leaders can keep teams productive during radical change or crisis. Emotional intelligence allows leaders to probe beyond metrics, uncover personal causes of falling productivity, and respond with empathy. Empathy and emotional awareness let leaders notice subtle declines in well-being, preserve engagement and trust, and implement solutions that restore performance.

Read at Fast Company