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.
The headlines are clear: AI is disrupting entry-level jobs across industries, including consulting and professional services. There's just one problem. Eliminating these roles overlooks a critical business need-your pipeline of next generation leaders. The rush from pyramid to diamond workforce models is short-sighted. In the pyramid model, you grow leaders from the ground up. In the diamond model, you cut the base and bet on later-stage talent to carry the weight.
Call it the "college or Chipotle" dilemma: Ted Dintersmith says schools are giving students two bad options - overpriced degrees or low-wage work - while AI is taking over the real jobs in between. Dintersmith, a former venture capitalist turned education reformer who has toured classrooms in all 50 states, said the US education system is "not just outdated, it's harmful."