In 2026, the most in-demand workplace skills aren’t just technical; they’re human. As AI and automation take over calculation, optimisation, and routine decision-making, the ability to collaborate, influence, and think critically has never been more valuable.
Open courses remain a vital tool for developing these capabilities, offering professionals the space to practise emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership in real-world contexts. At a time when on-the-job learning is overtaking formal qualifications, investing in soft skills through structured, interactive programmes is no longer optional; it’s essential.
Maths vs. Social: Why No Person is an Island
For decades, traditional thinking emphasised quantitative ability: mathematics, analytics, and technical expertise. Yet recent reports from the Financial Times suggest that over the past few years, people with strong soft skills, even if their quantitative capabilities lagged, have fared better in the labour market.
However, this doesn’t mean numerical ability no longer matters. Quite the opposite: calculation, optimisation, and pattern recognition are increasingly handled by AI systems, freeing humans to focus on what remains scarce and valuable, the ability to interpret, challenge, and communicate decisions at machine speed.
In other words, the future is human-centric. And in that future, no person is an island. Collaboration, empathy, and influence are critical, whether you’re leading a team, negotiating with clients, or shaping strategy.
The Continuing Relevance of Open Courses
At Crisp, supporting the development of these human-centric skills has always been part of our approach. Our face-to-face delivery, running across leadership, management, and personal development, has provided a space for professionals to build soft skills, explore peer learning, and apply new insights in a safe, practical environment.
More crucially, organisations size and format doesn’t have to be a barrier; our Open Courses – run locally and ‘open’ to all – mean that smaller organisations, satellite sites (or instances where only one or two people need specific development) high quality and relevant professional development can still be accessed.
Although even as workplaces evolve, our commitment to facilitating meaningful learning for individuals across industries remains unchanged. The enduring value of these courses lies not only in the content but in the connections they foster, the chance to practice communication, adaptability, and critical thinking with like-minded professionals.
Soft Skills: The Hard Currency of the Employment Market
As AI and automation take over more technical work, soft skills have become the most highly rewarded capabilities:
- Adaptability: navigating uncertainty and change with confidence
- Emotional intelligence: understanding and influencing others effectively
- Critical thinking: challenging assumptions, making informed decisions
- Digital fluency: working with AI and technology as collaborators, not just tools
- Ethical judgement: ensuring decisions are responsible and human-centric
For 2026 and beyond, employers are increasingly seeking these capabilities over purely academic or technical qualifications. Forbes describes a “skills-first revolution,” predicting that on-the-job learning and workplace development will soon eclipse formal degrees as the primary measure of employability and career progression.
Learning to Lead and Thrive in 2026
Soft skills are no longer optional; they are essential. Technical proficiency and formal qualifications will open doors, but emotional intelligence, adaptability, and influence determine long-term impact and career success.
Additionally, soft skills are gaining ground globally as organisations recognise that human-centric capabilities drive performance in ways machines cannot. Across industries, firms are investing heavily in skills like adaptability, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and effective communication, placing them at the top of L&D agendas. For L&D leaders, this isn’t just about filling gaps; it’s about preparing people to work alongside AI, understand its implications, and apply judgment, creativity, and influence in contexts where technology alone cannot provide the answers.
At Crisp, we continue to help individuals and organisations build the human capabilities that matter most. Through our open courses, leadership programmes, and ILM-recognised development pathways, we empower learners to interpret, challenge, and communicate effectively in a rapidly changing environment.
Speak to our team about investing in personal development and honing soft skills today. You prepare not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but for leadership in a workplace that’s truly human-centric. Explore our open courses and development programmes to see how you can build the skills that keep you relevant, resilient, and ready for 2026.