Human skills 2x valuable vs. digital skills in job market: Cornerstone report
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — A recent report by Cornerstone OnDemand revealed a surprising trend in the job market, with human skills being twice as sought after as digital skills.
The study, powered by SkyHive’s Knowledge Graph, analyzed 40 TB of data from 200 countries in 11 languages to provide insights into the evolving landscape of workplace skills.
The need for a balanced skill set
The report shows that businesses need to focus on both digital and human competencies to stay competitive. This “balance of skills,” as Cornerstone’s Founder Sean Hinton puts it, is essential for creating thriving, adaptable workplaces.
Digital skills remain crucial, with data analytics, AI, and machine learning (ML) posting growth rates of 52% and 64%, respectively, since 2019. However, human skills like responsibility, communication, collaboration, and leadership outpace digital skill demand more than twofold in North America and nearly threefold in Europe.
The human touch prevails
Despite the rapid growth in digital skills, human skills are outpacing them by more than twofold. In North America, the demand for human skills is 2.4 times higher than for digital skills, while in Europe, it’s 2.9 times higher.
“This finding serves as a vital reminder that, even in an era dominated by AI, the necessity for technical expertise must go hand in hand with the value of authentic human connections in the workplace,” said Hinton.
“It is essential for individuals and organizations alike to not only cultivate their digital competencies but also to nurture the essential human qualities – such as problem-solving, mentorship, empathy, and effective leadership – that set us apart.”
The importance of learning and development
The study emphasizes the critical role of learning and development in organizational success. Companies with strong learning cultures are 92% more likely to stay ahead of the competition and see 24% higher profit margins. Additionally, employees in these organizations are 2.5 times better equipped to handle workplace changes.
“While AI makes us more efficient, it’s the human qualities of leadership, creativity, and ethical judgment that turn technological potential into real-world success,” Cornerstone’s report concluded.
Ultimately, as organizations strive to integrate AI without losing the human touch, Cornerstone’s findings offer a compelling roadmap: prioritize both technical prowess and the irreplaceable human elements that drive true innovation.
