11 Top Soft Skills for 2025

Out with the old, and in with the new. 2025 is upon us and now is the time to assess your situation, take stock, and upskill. 

That’s right – upskill. 

But not just any skills. As we reflect on 2024, one thing is clear: the skills traditionally labelled as “soft” have proved they are anything but. Businesses stopped viewing soft skills as add-ons and began to see the value of human skills as vital to performance, motivation, success and adaptability in a time of rapid change. A recent LinkedIn survey found that 9 out of 10 global executives agree that soft skills are more important than ever.

At the same time, employees are recognising that soft skills are a must-have for career and personal success. 

So what soft skills development should you focus on in the coming year? 

The top soft skills for 2025

1. Self-awareness

If you want to get ahead in 2025, start with self-awareness. Knowing your strengths, your weaknesses, why you react a certain way, and what drives you is the most important soft skill of all. 

Think about it – it’s only with self-awareness that you can identify which other soft skills you need to work on! Use it to guide your soft skills program for 2025. 

2. Communication

The LinkedIn survey revealed that communication ranks No. 1 on the 2024 list of overall most in-demand skills. And it’s no surprise when you consider the rise of AI, the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work, and five generations, each with different communication styles and workplace jargon, now working together.

Since in-person collaboration is no longer the default, effective communication across channels is essential to connect, motivate, and inspire your teams. What’s more, as a growing number of employers experiment with AI, its limitations are becoming clear, underscoring the need for human communication skills to compensate for the shortcomings of emerging technologies.

3. Adaptability

Adaptability is an indispensable skill that allows individuals and teams to navigate uncertainty with confidence and composure. In fact, LinkedIn highlighted it as the top “skill of the moment” with the most notable surge in year-over-year demand. 

Adaptability as a soft skill means you have the ability to learn and unlearn, to remain open and flexible, and accept that you may succeed or fail at any moment. It means you are comfortable with not knowing what’s around the corner and can move forward with confidence, even in the face of ambiguity. Read more…

 


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