As part of my preparation to write this article, I decided to provide ChatGPT with a copy of my book, “Language That Leads,” and ask it about the skills AI will never be able to learn. In response to my prompt, ChatGPT provided this blurb: “In today’s rapidly evolving world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of various industries, from healthcare to finance and beyond. While AI undoubtedly possesses remarkable capabilities, there are certain soft skills that remain uniquely human. As we embrace the AI revolution, it’s essential to recognize the value of these skills and learn how to excel at them.”
It was interesting to see AI acknowledging its limitations. The passage above is, indeed, perfectly written but, for some reason, it lacks a soul, which is a part of human nature.
In the introduction to my book, I wrote about the “kasuri” fabric, which is a Japanese textile with beautiful patterns. When made by hand, it is always blurred. The royal family in Okinawa wanted to achieve a perfect kasuri by printing the pattern using a machine, but the results were disappointing. The perfection of the kasuri fabric lies in its imperfection. While AI undoubtedly has extraordinary capabilities, some soft skills remain uniquely human. A machine can prepare perfectly palatable food, but a Michelin star chef is still in demand because of their ability to feel and taste the food, creating a perfect blend of savory experience for the tongue and mind.
5 Essentially Human Soft Skills
The five essential soft skills AI could never learn, along with practical ways to harness their power, are:
Empathy
Empathy is at the heart of effective leadership and interpersonal relationships. I have tested almost all existing facial recognition software, but its level is still very basic. Currently, machines can recognize very obvious macro expressions, but they don’t identify most of the subtle micro expressions, even though the software claims it can. Maybe in the future, AI will be able to recognize facial emotions and body language with high accuracy, but it will never learn the psychological context to the same level as a human and thus won’t be able to truly empathize.
Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is a distinctly human quality that requires a unique recognition of non-verbal and verbal language combined with the tone of voice, context of the situation; socio-economical, religious, and psychological background; intuition; compassion; and reading the motives and expectations. In the past, I thought empathy is to try to imagine how to be in other people’s shoes based on what I would potentially feel in such a situation. Working with hundreds of people through training, coaching, and directing movies, I realized people can have a completely different psychological profile than mine and a very special system of beliefs, creating a logic I would never have thought is possible. I learned that the best way to excel in empathy is to be open-minded, non-judgmental, and never assume up front. So you need to carefully observe the non-verbal reactions and ask a lot of open questions to learn what other people really think and feel.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence allows us to navigate complex social situations, manage emotions effectively, and make sound decisions based on an understanding of both our own and others’ emotions. Many times, as humans, we interpret the message from other people based on our own personal experiences, history of relationships, similar context from the past, our feelings, intuitions, and our mood. In order to filter all of this, the human mind is required. No AI could empathize with us based on our past challenges and personal transformations. Only a human can have a broken heart, understand personal ambition, or genuinely laugh at a joke.
When you are calm, you are like a clean window that reflects the world instead of focusing on yourself so much. Also, actively work to understand the emotions and motivations of those around you by asking open questions and watching their body language, as this will allow you to lead with more empathy and authenticity.
Communication
Communication is the foundation of successful relationships, both personal and professional. While AI can process vast amounts of information and generate responses, it lacks the nuance and emotional depth of human communication. I have yet to see an AI that can understand a joke, express a true emotion, or shed a tear. Machines automatically react to the input they get, whereas a human can become your friend. Real communication is a two-way street, so stay attuned to the road ahead by actively listening to others and paying attention to non-verbal cues and body language as they convey valuable information that words alone cannot capture. Just as you need to be aware of the road signs and roadblocks while driving, you also need to stay open to the response of others and modulate your response according to their emotional and non-verbal cues. The best communicators are not afraid to show vulnerability by sharing their true feelings and giving examples from their personal stories.
There is one thing we could learn from AI: how to express your ideas clearly. Many times, people do not engage only because the message we are trying to convey is contradictory and lacks a call to action. People would not follow you as a leader if you are not expressing what you really expect them to do. Many parents could actually use an AI at the end of a long day to put their kids to sleep.
Creativity
Creativity involves thinking outside the box, generating innovative solutions, and combining seemingly unrelated ideas. We can all agree that machines cannot be creative the way we humans are. AI needs a coding system to operate. For creativity to happen, we often need to challenge the operating system and invent something that didn’t exist before. To nurture your creativity, engage in activities that inspire you and challenge your thinking. Adopt a growth mindset where you see problems as opportunities for learning and exploration. Even simple things such as eating the same breakfast every day, brushing your teeth with the right or left hand, or choosing the same route to work can be challenged and provide new inspirations. At work, to change your perspective; it’s good to sometimes choose another chair to sit on or another space to think. The best ideas are created in unexpected places, such as in the shower or while eating a marshmallow.
Adaptability
In an ever-changing world, adaptability is critical to success. It includes embracing change, learning new skills, and remaining resilient in the face of challenges. In times such as the COVID pandemic or natural disasters, only the human mind can understand the complexity of the challenge with its emotional repercussions. To excel in adaptability, it is important to cultivate a mindset of growth and continuous learning. Be open to feedback and see failure as an opportunity to grow. Stay on top of industry trends and emerging technologies, and proactively upgrade your skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment. Your adaptability will make you a valuable asset in any organization and, at the same time, help you be more prepared for the unpredictable.
As AI becomes more and more prevalent in various aspects of our lives, the importance of human soft skills cannot be overemphasized. I have read enough articles on the Internet that repeat themselves all over again. To make a difference in the world, inspire, and lead other people. We still need a human mind, not just AI. Empathy, emotional intelligence, communication, creativity, and adaptability are the cornerstones of effective leadership and meaningful relationships. By nurturing these skills, we can not only supplement the power of AI but also use our unique abilities to lead, inspire, and engage others in ways that machines could never replicate.
My book serves as a guide to understanding and developing these soft skills. By exploring the concepts and practical strategies presented there, we can unlock the full potential of our humanity and create a future where artificial intelligence and human strengths coexist harmoniously. So let’s embark on a journey of self-improvement and harness the transformative power of these irreplaceable soft skills.
