Technical skills and knowledge of data are essential in an age of AI, big data, and automation. But that doesn’t mean one should ignore the human side of the job – skills in domains where robots aren’t that great. We believe that these menial skills will become even more important for success as the field of work evolves, and machines take on the easily automated features of work. In other words, the work of humans is going to become altogether more human.

Taking all this into account, what skills should employees seek to develop doing forward? Here are eight soft skills that we think will become even more valuable to future entrepreneurs.

1. Creativity

Robots and machines can do a lot of things, but they have a hard time competing with humans in our ability to invent, imagine, create, and dream. With all the new technologies that are coming, tomorrow’s work requires new ways of thinking – making human creativity and creative thinking an essential asset to have.

2. Analytical thinking

In addition to creative thinking, analytical thinking skills become even more valuable, especially as we concentrate on the changing world of work and the changing division of labor between humans and machines. Because people with critical thinking can develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions – all by logic and reasoning rather than relying on instinct or hunch.

3. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, also known as EQ (emotional IQ), describes a person’s ability to recognize, control and express their own emotions – and to be aware of the emotions of others. So when we talk about someone who empathizes and works well with others, we’re describing someone with a high EQ. Since machines cannot easily reproduce the ability of people to connect with others, it makes sense that machines with a high level of EQ should be more in demand in the workplace.

4. Communication skills

In terms of EQ, the ability to share information successfully among people will be an important skill, meaning that employees need to improve their ability to communicate effectively with others – by using appropriate tone of voice and body language to get their message across to convey clearly.

5. Active learning with developing thinking

Someone who thinks about growth understands that their skills can be developed and that skill development leads to higher performance. They are ready to face new challenges, learn from mistakes and actively expand their knowledge. Such people will be in high demand in the workplace of the future, because thanks to AI and other rapidly advancing technologies, skills are becoming obsolete even faster than they are today.

6. Evaluation and decision making

Everyone knows that computers can process information better than the human brain, but ultimately humans are responsible for important business decisions in an organization. People are people who need to consider the impact their decisions have on the company and the people who work within it. Therefore, decision-making authority remains important. But there is no doubt that the nature of human decision-making will continue to evolve – specifically, technology will make more masculine and mundane decisions so that people can focus on more complex decisions at higher levels.

7. Leadership skills

The future organizations are going to be very different from today’s hierarchical organizations. Project-based teams, remote teams, and seamless organizational structures are likely to become more common. But that will not diminish the importance of good leadership. Even within project teams, people will need to take on leadership roles to tackle problems and develop solutions – therefore shared leadership traits such as inspiring and helping to be the best version of themselves remain important.

8. Cultural diversity and intelligence

As workplaces are becoming more diverse and open, so employees must be able to respect, understand and adapt to others who may have different perceptions of the world. This will of course improve the way people interact in the company, but we think it will also make the company’s services and products more inclusive.