From Awareness to Action: How to Measure and Develop Human Skills in the Age of AI

In a world increasingly augmented by AI, the spotlight is shifting to the human skills machines can’t replicate; imagination, creativity, emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and storytelling. These aren’t just “nice to have” anymore. They are becoming the core skills of high-performance teams and resilient organisations.

But there’s a catch.

We’ve spent decades assessing IQ and technical ability, with well-established testing and development frameworks. Meanwhile, critical human skills, often bundled under vague terms like “soft skills” or “emotional intelligence” have remained undermeasured and underdeveloped.

That has to change.

To keep pace with AI and retain our relevance, we must treat these human capabilities with the same rigour and intentionality we’ve historically reserved for technical skill. That means we need to measure them, develop them, and embed them into how we recruit, assess, promote, and lead.

Why Measurement Matters

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Historically, we’ve hesitated to measure human-centred skills because they feel subjective or harder to quantify. But that no longer holds water.

Modern assessment tools are now available that can reliably evaluate human skills such as:

Emotional intelligence (EQ) – through validated tools like the EQ-i 2.0 or MSCEIT

Creativity and divergent thinking – using tasks that assess originality, fluency, and flexibility

Imagination and future-thinking – through scenario-based assessments and innovation simulations

Storytelling and communication – via structured narrative exercises and audience feedback

Moral reasoning and empathy – with ethical dilemma frameworks, 360 reviews, or behavioural interviews

Forward-thinking companies are already embedding these assessments into leadership development, hiring, and team building, not as add-ons, but as core competencies.

How to Develop These Skills in Practice

Unlike some technical skills, human skills aren’t “one and done.” They’re lived, practised, and refined over time. Here’s how organisations and individuals can nurture them:

Imagination: Seeing What Hasn’t Been Seen

AI excels at identifying patterns based on what’s come before. It looks back to predict or generate what might come next. But it doesn’t imagine. It doesn’t dream, hope, or intuit something entirely new.

Imagination is where innovation begins. It’s the ability to see beyond the data, beyond the trend, and beyond the obvious. Whether you’re designing new products, building a brand, or reimagining an entire industry, your capacity to imagine is your competitive edge.

Growth Mindset: Adapting to the Unknown

A growth mindset and the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work is no longer optional. AI is evolving fast, and so must we.

In a world where the “right” answers can be retrieved in seconds, the real value lies in asking better questions, being open to feedback, learning new tools, and getting comfortable with uncertainty. The professionals who thrive will be those who embrace change, not resist it.

Creativity: Sparking the Original Thought

AI can assist creativity, it can remix and generate ideas based on what already exists. But the original spark, the leap that connects seemingly unrelated concepts, still starts with a human.

Creativity is not confined to the arts. It’s critical in problem-solving, strategy, leadership, and innovation. The more you cultivate divergent thinking, the more value you bring in a world where sameness is increasingly automated.

Storytelling: Making Meaning, Creating Connection

In a data-rich world, storytelling becomes the differentiator. It’s how we make sense of complexity, build trust, and inspire action. Whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or presenting to stakeholders, your ability to tell a compelling story is what creates resonance.

AI can mimic structure, even tone, but it lacks emotional resonance. It doesn’t live experience. Only humans can draw on nuance, empathy, and shared meaning to tell stories that truly move others.

Conscience: Leading with Empathy and Integrity

The ability to act with integrity, to weigh ethical implications, to care is essential.

In practice, this means empathy, active listening, moral judgement, and the ability to consider others’ perspectives. In a world of automation, these deeply human capacities will become more essential, not less, especially in leadership.

The Role of Leaders and Talent Professionals

To build a workforce fit for the future, leaders and talent professionals need to do more than acknowledge the importance of human skills, they must actively integrate them into organisational life.

That means:

• Redesigning job descriptions to prioritise human capabilities alongside technical ones.
• Embedding human skills into performance reviews and promotion criteria.
• Providing coaching and learning journeys focused on empathy, communication, creative thinking, and ethical leadership.
• Creating psychological safety so people can practise, experiment, and grow without fear.

From Intuition to Intention

These skills have always mattered. What’s changed is that in the age of AI, they’re no longer optional, they are what sets us apart.

The organisations and individuals that thrive won’t just acknowledge these human capabilities. They’ll intentionally measure, develop, and embed them, turning human potential into a true competitive advantage.

In the race with AI, the winners won’t be the ones who try to out-compute the machines. They’ll be the ones who double down on what only humans can do.

By Mollie Weatherup