A new external survey released by Deloitte highlights a growing concern among employees: organizations may be overlooking the development of critical human skills in favor of technical training. While 87% of workers consider human skills such as adaptability, leadership, and communication essential for career growth, only 52% feel their company values these skills more than technical proficiencies.
1. The Growing Need for Human Skills
- The survey found that while human skills are crucial, companies tend to focus more on immediate business needs and technical skills, leaving 60% of employees concerned about their long-term success.
- 94%Â of respondents worry that future generations may enter the workforce without adequate human skills like emotional agility, resilience, and teamwork.
2. Challenges in Corporate Learning and Development
- Companies that prioritize technical skills over human capabilities could stifle innovation, according to Anthony Stephan, Chief Learning Officer at Deloitte US.
- Stephan emphasized that technical and human skills should be developed in tandem, suggesting a “Yes AND” approach to integrating both in corporate learning strategies.
3. The Enduring Value of Human Capabilities
- Despite the emphasis on tech-based training, 95% of respondents agree that human skills are “timeless” and will remain essential, even as technologies evolve.
- 70%Â of surveyed employees reported learning a new technology that eventually became obsolete, highlighting the risk of focusing too narrowly on technical skills.
4. Teamwork, Leadership, and Communication Take Priority
- The survey found that human skills such as teamwork and collaboration (65%), communication (61%), and leadership (56%) rank higher in importance than technical skills like AI integration and data analysis (54%).
- Companies that fail to focus on these human competencies may face a skills deficit in tomorrow’s workforce.
5. The Call for More Mentorship and On-the-Job Learning
- Employees expressed a strong desire for mentorship programs (61%) and on-the-job observation (57%) as ways to build relationships and learn effectively in the workplace.
- Nearly 43% of respondents said investment in their personal growth happens only periodically, and 10% reported that learning occurs only if they initiate it.
6. Reimagining Corporate Learning for the Future
- As businesses prepare for future workforce needs, Stephan called for leaders to be more intentional about teaching and learning across generations and locations in everyday work.
- Deloitte has developed leadership development opportunities that emphasize human skills alongside technical training, embedding learning as a core element of its company culture.
Deloitte’s survey reveals a critical need for organizations to balance technical training with the development of human skills such as leadership, adaptability, and collaboration. Companies that invest in these enduring skills will be better positioned to innovate and adapt to future workplace challenges, ensuring long-term success for their employees and the business.
