Soft skills vs AI: Why empathy, communication and teamwork matter in the workplace
From robotics on factory assembly lines to ChatGPT, artificial intelligence is as prevalent in major industries as it is on our smartphones. From some perspectives, that expansion is revolutionary; recent studies have found that AI has the potential to provide more accurate medical diagnoses and help make sense of complex and unwieldy data.
But AI is lacking in one critical workplace quality: soft skills.
“Soft skills are highly transferable skills that power most of our day-to-day interactions – things like collaboration, communication, creativity and the ability to learn,” says Madeline Mann, a human resources and career strategist.
This aligns with the U.S. Department of Labor's findings that emotional intelligence at work – such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking and professionalism – are now essential and precisely the areas where artificial intelligence falls short.
Here’s why soft skills matter more than ever for the future of work, and how they may be the real differentiator in your next job search or promotion.
Why soft skills matter in today’s job market
If soft skills involve things like empathy and communication, hard skills are measurable abilities – such as data analysis, coding or technical writing – typically acquired through training or education. Those things are essential, of course, but they serve as a baseline.
Mann uses a doctor as an example. “The doctors who are most appreciated and have the lowest rate of litigation have great bedside manner. That’s soft skills,” she explains. “Most people don’t know where their doctor went to school, but they do remember how that doctor made them feel.”
According to 2023 research from the science journal Heliyon, even in tech fields like engineering or logistics, more than 40% of all skills required by employers are skills AI can’t replace, including critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving and flexibility.
Mann says it’s the same for any career. “Soft skills shape how people experience you, and that can be the edge that sets you apart,” she notes.
How to showcase soft skills to hiring managers
So, how do you demonstrate these skills when it counts?
In an interview, you won't necessarily mention the soft skills you possess, but you can demonstrate them to a hiring manager. The key is to prepare examples from your past roles that show your character.
“Instead of just saying you launched a campaign that increased app downloads, explain your thought process: How did you come up with the idea? How did you get others on board? Did you have to collaborate across departments, navigate cultural dynamics or adjust on the fly when budget or timing shifted?” Mann says.
Those small details that demonstrate your ability to communicate and be flexible will make you stand out.
“People land interviews because of their hard skills, but they land jobs and promotions because of their soft skills,” she says.
AI can’t replace relationship-building
Among all soft skills, the ability to build genuine relationships stands out as especially irreplaceable in an AI-driven world. Even when teams are fully remote, the workplace remains a social community, not just a network of tasks.
Employees who can forge genuine connections, collaborate across departments and leverage emotional intelligence are becoming indispensable.
“We’re entering a phase where personalization is rare, and authenticity is craved,” Mann explains.
Her observations have borne out. A study in the Journal of Vocational Behavior highlighted that professionals who engage in networking (especially via platforms like LinkedIn) see better promotions, higher compensation and greater career satisfaction.
In other words, networking isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a relationship-building exercise that machines can’t mimic, and it can directly impact your upward mobility and help set you up for a promotion.
How soft skills can fast-track your promotion
Promotions rely heavily on AI-proof skills, Mann notes. It’s not just about doing great work; it’s about making sure the right people see it. That’s why building strong relationships with your manager, teammates and colleagues across departments is essential.
According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Trends Report, managers say soft skills are equally, if not more, important than hard skills. Communication has consistently ranked among the top skills employers seek and was the most in-demand skill in 2024.
To raise your profile, Mann recommends staying connected with colleagues across the organization and paying attention to their needs. This awareness allows you to step in on high-impact projects, often before you’re even asked.
“The goal is to keep raising your value through relationships, visibility and contribution. The more people who see you as valuable and easy to work with, the more likely they are to advocate for what you want in your role,” says Mann.
The human edge
As AI continues to reshape what jobs look like, the human edge will come from what machines still can't do: Build trust, read the room and rally a team. “So yes, master your craft,” Mann says. “But also cultivate likability, strong communication and collaboration to have a successful career.”
In other words, the most future-proof skill might just be your humanity.
What is Paste BN Top Workplaces 2025?
If you're looking for a job where soft skills are rewarded, we can help. Each year, Paste BN Top Workplaces, a collaboration between Energage and Paste BN, ranks organizations across the U.S. that excel at creating a positive work environment for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winners.
In 2025, over 1,500 companies earned recognition as top workplaces. Check out our overall U.S. rankings. You can also gain insights into top-ranked employers by checking out the links below.