When Your Technical Skills Are Eclipsed, Your Humanity Will Matter More Than Ever

Jonathan H. Westover, PhD
6 days ago
5 min read

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Abstract: This article examines the shifting landscape of workplace skills in an era of rapid technological advancement, particularly as artificial intelligence and automation increasingly match or surpass human technical capabilities. While acknowledging the unprecedented pace of technological disruption across industries, the article argues that human "soft skills" - specifically empathy, communication, and relationship-building abilities - will become increasingly crucial for career longevity and success. Through analysis of research studies, industry examples, and organizational case studies, the article demonstrates how technical professionals can remain relevant by developing these distinctly human competencies, suggesting that the future belongs not to those with technical expertise alone, but to those who can combine technical knowledge with strong interpersonal abilities.

Technological advancement is progressing at an unprecedented pace, with capabilities once thought impossible now commonplace. As artificial intelligence and automation increasingly perform more complex cognitive and manual tasks, the demand for certain technical skills in the workplace is being disrupted. While this creates opportunities for new roles and new growth areas, it also poses challenges for those whose current professions are most at risk of substitution by emerging technologies. For many technical experts and specialists, a time will come when their skillsets are eclipsed by advances in AI and robotics. However, there remains one crucial advantage that humans hold over machines - our humanity.

Today we will explore how, when technical competencies are made redundant, soft skills centered around empathy, communication and relationships will become paramount for ongoing career relevance and success.

The Rise of the Machines: When Technical Skills Are No Longer Enough

A wealth of research points to the significance of emerging technologies in transforming work across many industries. Studies from the World Economic Forum (2016, 2018) highlight how automation using robotics and AI is poised to substitute not just manual and administrative tasks but also more complex cognitive roles in many professions. This disruption will impact jobs involving data collection, data processing, and predictable physical work. According to an Oxford University study (Frey & Osborne, 2013), nearly half of US jobs have a high probability of computerization within the next 10-20 years. Technical jobs in areas like software development, engineering and healthcare are identified as being among the most susceptible. As AI becomes more advanced, specializations like data analysis, medical diagnosis and design optimization could be readily performed by machines.

While technological change has always resulted in job destruction as well as creation, the current pace of advancement means many individuals may find their technical skills obsolete well before retirement. Experts warn this could lead to widespread unemployment and economic insecurity if people cannot transition into new roles (World Economic Forum, 2016). However, the most dire predictions overlook a key human advantage - our innate creativity, empathy and social acumen. Though robots and AI will likely outperform humans on repetitive, predictable tasks, management expert Peter Drucker (1999) argued that jobs focused on distinguishing the unusual from the normal, connecting disparate information in creative combinations, and empathetically dealing with people and situations will remain robustly human for the foreseeable future.

Technical Proficiency Alone Will Not Suffice

Given the risk that technical skills could rapidly become redundant, professionals must look beyond technical mastery to remain competitive. Researchers note technical aptitude alone will not guarantee continued career relevance and success (World Economic Forum, 2018; Durchslag & Rynes, 2008). Technical specialists who lack complementary "soft" skills like communication, collaboration and critical thinking will struggle to transition as technologies change job requirements. Research in technology skills lifecycles have shown technical competencies become obsolete about every 5-7 years due to constant innovation (Carnevale et al., 2013). But human skills like leadership, relationship-building and problem-solving actually retain their value or grow more essential over time, enabling continual adaptation (National Research Council, 2012).

Developing Interpersonal Abilities for Career Longevity

To ensure ongoing career resilience amid technological disruption, technical experts must proactively cultivate their human strengths. Four key interpersonal qualities appear most critical for success when technical skills are no longer distinguishing factors:

Communication and Persuasion: As machines handle more routine information processing, the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and persuade others will differentiate top performers (Durechlag & Rynes, 2008; World Economic Forum 2016). Technical specialists need to translate technical jargon into language non-experts understand, listen empathetically, and promote ideas compellingly.
Collaboration and Influence: Rather than working independently, future roles will emphasize team-based, cross-functional collaboration (National Research Council, 2012). Technical experts must influence others, bring together diverse viewpoints, and expertly partner with both technical and non-technical colleagues.
Adaptability and Lifelong Learning: With technologies advancing workforce needs rapidly, individuals necessitating constant learning and a willingness to take on new challenges outside their expertise (World Economic Forum, 2018; Drucker, 1999). Technical specialists have to stay current, transfer skills to emerging domains, and constantly upgrade competencies.
Leadership and Mentorship: As automation handles routine work, leadership skills like vision-setting, change management and coaching others will distinguish top performers (National Research Council, 2012; Carnevale et al., 2013). Technical experts can bring value by mentoring less experienced colleagues and mentoring cross-functional teams.

Organizational Examples of Leveraging Soft Skills

Forward-thinking companies are recognizing the importance of blending technical skills with human qualities to build future-proof workforces. Some real-world examples include:

3M: The manufacturing giant established an initiative called "Engineers as Entrepreneurs." It helps scientists transition beyond lab roles into commercial leadership, empowering them to infuse business savvy when promoting innovations (Carnevale et al., 2013). Evaluations emphasize communication skills over just technical achievements.
Deloitte: The professional services firm launched the "BrightStart" program that places fresh technical graduates through leadership rotations to gain project management, client interaction and business development experience alongside their core specializations (World Economic Forum, 2018).
Massachusetts General Hospital: To retain clinically-trained staff during changes in technologies and protocols, this hospital network emphasizes continual skills upgrading and mentorship opportunities. Physicians take sabbaticals to obtain certifications in fields like biomedical informatics, strengthening ability to aid digital transformation efforts (National Research Council, 2012).

Conclusion

While emerging technologies pose disruption risks, they also offer opportunities if individuals proactively expand their skillsets. For technical specialists facing redundant technical skills, the keys to career longevity lay not in fighting change but in leveraging distinctly human traits. By cultivating interpersonal qualities like persuasive communication, collaboration, adaptability and leadership, technical experts can stay relevant amid industry shifts and contribute value in new ways. As machines automate routine work, the capacity for empathy, creativity and mentorship will distinguish top professionals. Forward-thinking individuals and organizations are already recognizing this imperative and promoting continuous learning, multi-skilling and career pivoting. For technical experts hoping to future-proof their careers, enhancing their 'human' qualities may prove the most critical investment of all.

References

Carnevale, A. P., Smith, N., & Strohl, J. (2013). Recovery: Job growth and education requirements through 2020. Georgetown Public Policy Institute.
Duchslag, S. A., & Rynes, S. L. (2008). Return on investment from internships: Employer’s perspectives. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73(2), 244–258.
Drucker, P. F. (1999). Knowledge-worker productivity: The biggest challenge. California Management Review, 41(2), 79–94.
Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2013). The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation. Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.
National Research Council. (2012). Education for life and work: Developing transferable knowledge and skills in the 21st century. The National Academies Press.
World Economic Forum. (2016). The future of jobs: Employment, skills and workforce strategy for the fourth industrial revolution.
World Economic Forum. (2018). Towards a reskilling revolution: A future of jobs for all.

Jonathan H. Westover, PhD is Chief Academic & Learning Officer (HCI Academy); Chair/Professor, Organizational Leadership (UVU); OD Consultant (Human Capital Innovations). Read Jonathan Westover's executive profile here.

Suggested Citation: Westover, J. H. (2025). When Your Technical Skills Are Eclipsed, Your Humanity Will Matter More Than Ever. Human Capital Leadership Review, 20(1). doi.org/10.70175/hclreview.2020.20.1.4