Soft skills are shaping the future of work

A recent survey by recruitment specialist Robert Walters asked business leaders which skills will be most in demand in their organizations over the next two years. 

“While technical expertise remains important, the top answers point to a growing focus on people and adaptability,” says Özlem Simsek, managing director at Robert Walters. She reveals the top three skills in demand for the future.

1. Adaptability and resilience (43%)

Change has become a constant in business. Leaders are looking for people who can adjust quickly, stay focused under pressure, and maintain momentum when plans evolve. 

“Adaptability is the foundation of modern careers,” Özlem explains. “The pace of change means that even the most skilled professionals need to keep learning and rethinking how they work.”

2. Creative problem solving (40%)

With automation and AI handling more routine tasks, the problems left for people to solve are often more complex and unfamiliar. The ability to think creatively – connect ideas, question assumptions, and try new approaches – is becoming central to progress.

Özlem: “The best ideas often come from people who look at problems from different angles. That kind of curiosity and creativity is something employers are actively looking for.”

3. Communication and collaboration (39%)

As more organizations work across regions and time zones, clear communication and teamwork are essential.

Employers value people who can express ideas clearly, listen to others, and build strong working relationships.

“Good collaboration creates energy in teams,” says Özlem. “It’s what turns a collection of individuals into a group that achieves more together than they could alone.”

A shift toward human skills

Technical skills such as data analytics (37%), AI literacy (25%), and project management (23%) remain valuable. But the strongest theme in the survey is the growing importance of human skills: those that define how people think, connect, and respond to change.

“We’re seeing a real shift in what employers value,” Özlem notes “Technology will keep evolving and technical skills still matter, but they’re no longer enough on their own. The ability to think flexibly and work well with others is becoming the deciding factor in long-term success.”

What this means for organisations

Companies that develop adaptability, creativity, and communication within their teams will be better prepared for the future. This means encouraging learning, giving space for experimentation, and promoting leaders who support openness and collaboration.

“Soft skills are no longer ‘nice to have. They’re the skills that keep organizations moving forward, no matter what changes come next,” Özlem concludes.

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