Human is the New Black

Black has long been considered the most versatile, enduring and universally flattering color. It works in any season, on any person, and for almost any occasion.

Just like the little black dress or a perfectly tailored black suit, the human element in the workplace never goes out of style. Trends change, technology evolves, but what connects us: empathy, presence and understanding, is always in, even in a tech-fueled, AI-charged world.

Over the past couple of decades, organizations have poured time and money into tech upskilling, which is a good thing. And as AI continues to proliferate, we’ll need to keep investing in technical training. But the future isn’t about tech replacing people. It’s about people doing what only people can do while tech serves.

According to a global study by Workday titled Elevating Human Potential: The AI Skills Revolution, some of the most valuable human-centric skills are:

• Ethical decision-making and moral judgment

• Human networking and relationship building

• Emotional intelligence and empathy

The same study found that these human skills, along with conflict resolution, are the ones least likely to be replaced by AI.

So while we continue to invest in tech skills, we need to invest just as much in the human side of the workplace. Relationship skills, emotional intelligence, good judgment and real conversations aren’t optional anymore. They’re essential.

This year I’ve seen this shift up close. I’ve delivered numerous workshops on perspective taking, conflict management, emotional intelligence and mastering difficult conversations. Each time, the common thread is the same: people want practical ways to break down silos, reduce misunderstandings and improve relationships, both inside and outside their organizations.

And while there are many ways to train these skills, the methods that resonate and stick best are those that offer an easy-to-use framework. That’s why I teach strategies like Reframing and the Ladder of Inference, along with my C.L.E.A.R. and Communication Compass frameworks. These tools help teams:

• Invite open and honest communication

• Build trust and mutual respect

• Improve clarity and alignment

• Foster healthy conflict

• Reduce assumptions and bias

Each of these frameworks rely on some shared interpersonal skills, including:

• Active listening — listening to understand, not to respond

• Empathy — acknowledging the other person’s thoughts, feelings and perspectives

• Objectivity — removing bias, challenging assumptions and focusing on facts

If your organization is investing in tech, that’s great. But if the human side is being treated as “nice to have” or “less urgent,” you could be missing the real competitive edge. The organizations that win in the future will be the ones that invest equally in both. Because “human” isn’t a trend. It’s timeless!

If you want to explore how to strengthen the human side of your team through workshops, training programs or group coaching, let’s talk. I’d love to learn about your culture and challenges, and tailor a plan that helps your people show up confident, authentic and connected.

Here’s to a future where human is always in!

Speak Success,