In today’s tech-driven world, it’s natural to focus on hard skills—things like coding, data analytics, and machine learning. These capabilities often dominate hiring conversations, performance reviews, and industry headlines. But a growing body of research is revealing something many tech leaders are only just starting to realize: people skills—not technical ones—are the real competitive edge.
A recent survey by Skiilify and InsightJam titled “AI Won’t Replace You—But Lack of Soft Skills Might” sheds light on this overlooked truth. Drawing insights from over 200 tech professionals across various roles, the report paints a clear picture: soft skills are more essential than ever, but they’re also harder than ever to develop.
What Are Soft Skills and Why Do They Matter?
Soft skills are often called “people skills,” but they go deeper than just being sociable or polite. The study highlights six critical soft skills that every professional needs:
- Curiosity – the drive to learn and explore new ideas
- Resilience – the ability to bounce back from failure
- Tolerance for ambiguity – staying composed in uncertain situations
- Perspective-taking – understanding other viewpoints
- Relationship-building – creating and maintaining professional connections
- Humility – being open to feedback and personal growth
These aren’t just “nice-to-haves.” In fast-paced, ever-changing environments, these skills are the glue that holds high-performing teams together. They enable innovation, reduce friction, and create a culture where people thrive—not just survive.
The Soft Skills Gap: Widely Recognized, Rarely Developed
According to the survey, 94% of tech professionals agree that soft skills are more important now than ever. But when asked about their ability to build and apply these skills, many respondents admitted to falling short.
Here’s where the disconnect becomes clear:
- Curiosity is valued by 93%, yet nearly half say they don’t have time to explore or learn.
- Resilience is critical for 91%, but over a third struggle to recover from setbacks.
- Tolerance for ambiguity is important to 75%, yet many feel paralyzed when faced with uncertainty.
- Perspective-taking is essential for 84%, but almost a third find it hard to accept views that differ from their own.
- Relationship-building is important to 85%, but 27% struggle to maintain strong professional ties—especially in hybrid or remote settings.
- Humility is respected by 81%, yet nearly half say the feedback they receive is vague and unhelpful.
In short: we know these skills matter—but we’re not building them effectively.
What’s Getting in the Way?
The report identifies three main obstacles:
1. Lack of Time: Tight deadlines, sprints, and continuous delivery cycles leave little room for reflection or development outside of technical tasks.
2. No Structured Learning: Many organizations don’t provide clear pathways or training programs for soft skills. While technical certifications are common, few teams invest in coaching or frameworks for communication, collaboration, or emotional intelligence.
3. Ineffective Feedback: When professionals do receive feedback, it’s often too generic or overly critical—leaving them confused instead of empowered to grow.
What Tech Leaders Can Do About It
Recognizing the importance of soft skills isn’t enough. Leaders need to take action—deliberate, structured, and sustained action—to close the gap. Here’s how:
- Embed Soft Skills Into Daily Workflows: Instead of treating soft skills as side projects, integrate them into daily processes. Use tools that provide in-the-moment coaching and reflection without disrupting core technical tasks.
- Give Better Feedback: Don’t just say, “You need to be a better communicator.” Be specific: “Try pausing to ask for alignment during meetings,” or “Use visuals to explain complex concepts.” Actionable feedback leads to actual change.
- Encourage Curiosity: Make learning a cultural priority. Set aside time each week or month for team members to explore new ideas, technologies, or strategies—even if they’re outside their immediate job scope.
- Normalize Failure: Create a team culture where failure is viewed as part of the growth process. Share stories of your own setbacks and what you learned. Celebrate problem-solving, not just success.
- Support Relationship Building: Especially in remote teams, connection doesn’t happen by accident. Host regular check-ins, informal chats, mentorship pairings, or cross-team collaborations.
- Lead With Humility: Your team will only embrace feedback and growth if you do too. Be open about your own learning journey. Ask for feedback. Admit when you’re wrong. Growth starts at the top.
The Future Belongs to the Soft-Skilled
AI and automation will only become more prevalent. Technical skills, while vital, have a short shelf life. Today’s tools and languages may be obsolete in five years. But human skills—empathy, adaptability, emotional intelligence—don’t expire. They compound over time.
The professionals who will thrive in the coming decade are those who can constantly re-skill and connect, communicate, and lead. As the report puts it: “Soft skills will determine who thrives in an AI-driven tech world.”
Final Thought: Invest in What Can’t Be Automated
If you’re a tech leader, your most important job isn’t just building code—it’s building people. The smartest investment you can make today isn’t another tool or platform. It’s helping your team grow in ways that AI can’t replicate.
Ready to future-proof your team? Start with curiosity. Add in humility. And build from there.
