EI will always be the foundation to human development…technology simply increase the risks of not developing it.
Interesting read: LinkedIn’s ‘Skills on the Rise 2026’ report has landed.
Two of the top five skills won’t surprise anyone:
AI. Machine learning & Generative technologies.
The other three (60%), were noted as emotionally based skills…and i’d argue the others, such as AI development, require high EQ (how EI is measured) to truly succeed.
Leadership.
Culture.
Communication.
These are not trends. As long as we’re human these will be the essential, the timeless.
Yes, technology demands investment. It evolves fast. It must be learned and leveraged. But it must be led by high EQ leaders or it just won’t serve us or worse can be dangerous.
This report is a powerful reminder of who we are and that progress is never purely technical. I’d argue the more technical the World becomes, the more EQ is needed to balance increasing complexity and power.
Without strong leadership, healthy culture and clear communication, even the most advanced tools will fail.
Innovation scales through people. As you plan budgets, training and strategy for the year ahead, ask yourself:
Are you investing enough in your most important resource (people), and their most important skills, to gain the most from this technology, or in technology alone?
AI needs EI to succeed.
#Emotionalintelligence #EQ #EI #AI