The Soft Skills That Machines Can’t Replace

It seems to be a universal worry – will AI make my role redundant? It’s a natural fear when AI touches almost every industry in some way or another. And if you’re looking for a new job, these concerns can be amplified. You might wonder – what is my employee value compared to AI? Why would an employer prioritise my skills and attributes over AI capabilities? And just how do I showcase my strengths in a job market increasingly shaped by generative AI?

These concerns needn’t take centre stage in your job search. You possess something AI does not – the essential human qualities of critical thinking, problem solving and emotional intelligence. This is where AI can’t compete. Here’s how honing these soft skills gives you the ultimate competitive advantage when job hunting.

Where AI falls short

There are many forms of AI currently utilised across industries. Generative AI is usually the first to come to mind thanks to the popularity of platforms such as ChatGPT. Machine learning is also being used in industries such as health care and government. Machine learning algorithms can analyse medical images, such as X-rays, to identify abnormalities and similar algorithms can analyse historical crime data to predict potential areas of criminal activity.

It’s clear AI excels in handling structured data; provided it’s in a predictable format and within clearly defined fields. The problems with AI arise when it’s required to ‘think’ using unstructured data, high in ambiguity or requiring nuance, as it simply can’t deal with human complexities. Take this example: fraud investigation is an integral part of the financial services sector. However, it’s beyond AI capabilities as it requires a combination of analytical skills, attention to detail and, most importantly, critical thinking to examine transactional data, identify irregularities and follow investigative leads.

Your critical thinking skills trump AI

Critical thinking is a human-centred trait. It is a unique blend of open-mindedness, curiosity, reasoning, and reflection, combined with a healthy dose of scepticism. Critical thinkers know not only how to find the information they need, but how to evaluate and synthesise it to make judgments or decisions.

In a professional setting, you use your critical skills to solve complex problems - it’s an area where the human mind thrives as you possess the creativity, intuition, and experiential learning necessary to tackle novel situations.

As a critical thinker, you may also be great at adapting to change and navigating challenges, with the knack of coming up with out-of-the-box solutions. You also have the capacity to engage in continuous learning, recognising the value it brings to grow your career. AI, on the other hand, relies on the data it’s fed – it simply cannot feed itself.

Another core trait of critical thinkers is being able to see a connection between multiple concepts, something AI struggles with. For instance, a software development team needs to think critically about balancing feature development with resource constraints. The engineering team wants to implement cutting-edge features to attract users, but the project manager is focused on staying within budget and meeting deadlines. By evaluating the project requirements, timeline and available resources, the team can prioritise features effectively, ensuring both innovation and practicality in the final product.

In the age of AI, where automation and data-driven decision-making prevail, critical thinking becomes paramount for true business success. By properly evaluating AI-generated insights, identifying potential biases or limitations, and contextualising findings within broader business objectives, you can leverage AI to your advantage to make better decisions, drive innovation and most importantly, increase your employee value. Check out our article on harnessing the power of AI for job search success.

How to hone your soft skills for career growth

Emotional intelligence (EI) is your ability to recognise, understand and manage your emotions, in addition to perceiving and sometimes influencing others’ emotions. In the context of career growth, EI plays a pivotal role in effective teamwork, communication and leadership.

Unlike AI, which lacks empathy and interpersonal skills, you have the ability to connect and motivate others. From fostering collaborative relationships to inspiring trust, EI helps you navigate social dynamics and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

EI also plays a huge role in effective communication. It helps you tailor your messages to the emotional context and preferences of your audience, something AI cannot do. Whether it's delivering constructive feedback, pitching ideas to stakeholders, or leading team meetings, the ability to empathise and communicate effectively enhances your professional relationships, a cornerstone of success.

You may also be adept at blending your analytical skills with emotional intelligence, something that’s often needed to solve complex issues. For example, effective conflict resolution or negotiation relies not only on logical reasoning but also on empathy, active listening and relationship-building skills. By honing these soft skills, you can enhance your problem-solving capabilities and contribute to positive outcomes in diverse workplace scenarios.

Among the myriad of soft skills already mentioned, you will also find these indispensable assets in today's job market, ones AI just can’t compete with:

1. Resilience – this trait is essential for thriving in dynamic environments, navigating setbacks and seizing new opportunities for growth. An example is cultivating a positive mind set by challenging negative self-talk, reframing setbacks as learning experiences, and focusing on strengths and solutions rather than dwelling on problems.

2. Non-verbal communication - body language, facial expressions and tone of voice convey valuable information. They can indicate alignment, confirmation or connection, allowing your audience to assess the sincerity of your verbal messages, as well as develop rapport and trust.

To hone your skills in this area, consider proactively seeking feedback from colleagues, family, friends or supervisors about your non-verbal communication skills. If you find you’re lacking in an area, practice using role-playing or video recording to improve self-awareness and effectiveness.

3. Ethics – it’s likely the work you do involves some ethical and moral considerations. Decisions in these areas require the human aptitude of judgment, ethical reasoning and an understanding of cause and effect. While AI can assist in identifying potential biases or vulnerabilities, the final decision and ensuring adherence to ethical standards is within the realm of the human.

It’s something you can commit yourself to doing in many areas of your work, from decision making to avoiding deliberate bias or discrimination. You may like to think about some examples to demonstrate this during your job interviews.

Further job support

As you hunt for your next role in a job market influenced by AI, one truth remains: the irreplaceable value of soft skills. Critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence and other soft skills are the foundation of human ingenuity, enabling us to address challenges that extend beyond the capabilities of AI. By honing these unique strengths, you can not only secure employment but thrive alongside AI.

Here at Adecco, we have a cache of valuable resources to support you in your job search, from open roles to tailored guidance to find a position that aligns with your interests and desired career trajectory. Feel free to connect with one of our recruitment specialists to find out more about how we can support you in your job search within the AI-era.