Olipop CEO: If I had to start over in my career, I’d prioritize this skillset above all others—it’s not AI
By Ashton Jackson
Copyright cnbc
Goodwin isn’t the only CEO touting the importance of soft skills — and the reason actually has everything to do with AI. As workplaces become more automated, employers are placing a lot of value on those interpersonal skills that humans can still master far better than any AI programs, according to Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman. LinkedIn’s “Skills on the Rise 2025” report also shows that people skills are becoming more in-demand on the job search platform.
“You’re going to want to be creative. You’re going to want to be [good at] critical thinking. And you’re going to want to be flexible,” Garman told CNBC’s “Closing Bell Overtime” on Aug. 8. “I think the ability to learn new things and adapt is going to be just as important as any particular skill that you learn.”
You probably already exercise these people skills — empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, networking and leadership — in some capacity at work or in life, and you can strengthen them with some intentional practice and self-awareness, according to experts like leadership strategist Talia Fox.
For example, the next time you have a conversation with someone, practice active listening and try to ask deep, insightful questions to build emotional intelligence, Fox told CNBC Make It in March 2024.
You can boost your critical thinking the same way, research shows: Ask thoughtful questions and step out of your comfort zone. Grabbing lunch with a colleague you don’t usually speak to or attending a work conference can build adaptability and networking skills.
Professionals with these qualities are highly desirable in Goodwin’s eyes, he said, as they help create an “energized and inspired workforce.”
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