Human skills, perhaps a new term for most, but it’s been around. In the past, we knew it as people skills or durable skills or power skills.
Human Skills = Soft Skills
For ages, we’ve been judged by our brawn and brains. Lately, it’s been about our smarts, especially as millennials and younger generations. We’ve often overlooked people skills, seeing them as “soft”, less important than the hard technical skills that have landed folks big jobs in tech, accounting, and finance.
We used to think emotions should stay out of the workplace.
But what really makes us human? It’s the intersection between our EQ and our IQ.
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a measure of a person’s reasoning ability. It’s derived from standardized tests designed to assess a person’s mental capabilities. Essentially, IQ tests aim to gauge how well someone can use information and logic to solve problems and understand complex concepts.
While IQ tests provide a numerical representation of a person’s cognitive abilities, it’s important to remember that intelligence is a multifaceted concept and cannot be fully captured by a single number.
There are many other factors, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical skills, that contribute to a person’s overall intelligence.
For the past century or so, we’ve developed complex systems for teaching, training, and evaluating people based on their IQ.
EQ, or Emotional Intelligence, is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It involves skills like empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, and social skills.
People with high EQ are often better at:
- Relating to others: They can understand and empathize with the feelings of others, leading to better relationships and communication.
- Managing stress: They can effectively manage their own emotions, reducing stress and improving their overall well-being.
- Resolving conflicts: They can navigate difficult situations and resolve conflicts peacefully.
- Making decisions: They can consider both their emotions and the emotions of others when making decisions.
As a society, we haven’t invested as much effort in developing systems to teach, train, and evaluate our EQ or the skills that blend IQ and EQ. Yet, these uniquely human skills are becoming increasingly crucial in the workplace as AI takes over more of the intellectual tasks that defined the knowledge economy.
We haven’t put enough resources into teaching, training, and assessing our EQ or the skills that combine IQ and EQ. However, these uniquely human abilities are becoming essential in the workplace as AI handles more and more of the intellectual tasks that characterized the knowledge economy.
4 Essential Human Skills in an AI Powered World
In an era dominated by technology, uniquely human skills are becoming increasingly valuable.
These skills, often referred to as the “4 Human Skills”, are essential for navigating complex challenges, fostering innovation, and building meaningful connections. They include curiosity, courage, creativity, and compassion. These skills, rooted in our moral and ethical framework, set us apart from AI and are crucial for thriving in the modern workplace.
Human Skill #1: Curiosity
Curiosity is a powerful tool, not judgment. It’s about asking “what if” and imagining what could be. While AI can analyze the past and offer insights, it lacks the ability to conceive of groundbreaking ideas like the Earth being round or the existence of gravity. These leaps of imagination are born from curiosity.
In a world increasingly dominated by AI, our uniquely human ability to question, explore, and envision new possibilities becomes even more valuable.
It’s what sets us apart and allows us to innovate, adapt, and shape the future.
Human Skill #2: Courage
Courage is the ability to face challenges, embrace growth, and adapt to change. These are uniquely human skills that set us apart. In a world of constant evolution, courage is essential for navigating uncertainty and seizing opportunities. It’s the foundation for resilience and success.
Human Skill #3: Creativity
Creativity is the spark that ignites new ideas and innovations. While AI can assist in the creative process, truly original thinking remains uniquely human. Our ability to combine diverse elements, challenge assumptions, and envision the unexpected is what drives progress and fuels our imagination.
Human Skill #4: Compassion
This brings us to the final core human skill: compassion. Our ability to communicate and tell stories has played a crucial role in our species’ rise to prominence. Everything is a story, and our ability to connect with others through communication and empathy is fundamental to human interaction.
As humans, we not only possess consciousness, recognizing our existence, but also conscience, a moral compass that guides our actions and interactions.
Consider the significant movements in human history, such as the recent push for sustainability. These movements are rooted in a moral and ethical framework that seeks to leave the world a better place. This is the power of compassion.
Our ability to empathize with others, to listen attentively, to consider their perspectives, and to allow those perspectives to shape our own, is the essence of compassion.
The most crucial aspect of these unique human skills is that we don’t fully understand how they emerge. We don’t know the precise mechanisms within our brains that lead to creativity, compassion, and other distinctive human traits. This means that while AI can mimic these skills, it can never truly replace them.
These skills will always remain our greatest assets as humans. In the new era of work, they will be indispensable for navigating complex challenges, fostering innovation, and building a more compassionate and sustainable future.
Soulless Intelligence a #1 Bestselling book by Greg and Bryan Trilli (edited by LizetteB), poses thought-provoking questions about the future of AI. Are we on the verge of an AI revolution controlled by technology giants devoid of moral values? Can machines truly possess a soul? What does this mean for our faith and the future of humanity?
The Trilli brothers delve into ancient philosophy, modern science, and Thomistic theology to argue convincingly that AI’s ability to make moral choices is evidence of our need for God. This book challenges believers to contemplate how artificial intelligence, the most advanced technology ever created, reinforces the idea that only our Creator can provide the moral framework necessary for a utopian future, rather than a dystopian one.
The Human Touch in Content Creation
In the age of AI and automation, the value of human skills in content creation cannot be overstated. While AI can assist with tasks like grammar checking and keyword optimization, it lacks the depth of understanding, empathy, and creativity that humans possess.
Working with individuals who possess the “4 Human Skills” – curiosity, courage, creativity, and compassion – can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your web content and book editing. These skills allow for a deeper understanding of your target audience, the ability to craft compelling narratives, and the capacity to create content that resonates on an emotional level.
By collaborating with individuals who possess these essential human qualities, you can ensure that your content is not only informative but also engaging, inspiring, and meaningful.
AI can’t feel, think, or laugh. But we can. Let’s work together.
