The term "soft skills" often carries an unfair reputation, conjuring images of traits that are somehow secondary to hard, technical expertise. In reality, soft skills are foundational. As Adam Grant, the Wharton professor and best-selling author, has pointed out, the term originated in the U.S. Army in the 1960s to distinguish between technical tasks and everything else that drives human effectiveness. Over time, the "soft" label diminished the perceived importance of skills like empathy, communication, and self-awareness, even though they have always been critical to leadership. Today, as artificial intelligence transforms the workplace, self-awareness is emerging as the most vital leadership trait of all. Unlike technical expertise, which can be automated or delegated to machines, self-awareness—an understanding of one’s emotions, biases, limitations, and impact on others—is inherently human. Leaders who cultivate it not only adapt more effectively to rapid change but also foster resilience, authenticity, and trust in their organizations.
