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As hiring and retention continue to shift and evolve, traditional job skills feel as outdated as a floppy disk. Employers are no longer solely fishing for candidates with degrees from revered institutions. They're looking to hook folks who possess so-called "soft skills," knowing these are oftentimes harder to learn and apply than the tactical/technical ones. As workplaces are still testing new ways of working, emotional intelligence, empathetic communication, and adaptive problem-solving – are now the need-to-have building blocks of a thriving and adaptable workforce. 

SHRM found that 77% of organizations have placed a premium on hiring for these skills to cater to the multifaceted needs of today's labor force. Microsoft's CEO said empathy is far from a mere soft skill; it's the "most formidable skill of them all (Yahoo Finance)." As we wade through the sea of change, the mandate for businesses becomes crystal clear: fostering an environment that nurtures and cultivates these invaluable soft skills is the answer to sustainable hiring and retention.