Why Future-Fit Organisations Prioritise People: The Case for Investing in Soft Skills in the Age of AI

In an era marked by economic volatility, political instability, and rapid technological change, successful organisations are doubling down on one core strategy: investing in their people. As AI adoption accelerates, it’s not technical skills but human skills—empathy, communication, adaptability, and critical thinking—that set resilient businesses apart.

According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report, 89% of L&D professionals say that helping employees adapt to change is a top priority. And 91% believe that soft skills are more important now than ever before. The World Economic Forum echoes this, forecasting that by 2027, skills like leadership, social influence, and emotional intelligence will be in even higher demand than technical capabilities.

Yet, many organisations remain reactive rather than proactive. In the race to digitise, they overlook a key truth: digital transformation fails without human transformation.

Companies that continue to invest in learning and development, particularly in soft skills, reap tangible business benefits. A McKinsey study found that organisations with strong learning cultures are 92% more likely to innovate, 52% more productive, and 17% more profitable than those without.

At Actualize Global Ltd, we help future-focused organisations unlock the performance of their people through targeted, transformational learning. Our programs go beyond techniques—they help organisations learn by doing to ensure the seamless adoption of new skills.

We believe that as the business landscape becomes more complex, people will remain your greatest differentiator. The time to invest in them is now.