The Case for Being More Human

There comes a moment in every parent’s life – often around milestones like finishing school or starting a first job – when the question hits: What kind of world is my child stepping into? Not just in terms of economics or politics, but something more personal and pressing: How will they build a good life? How will they find meaningful work and lasting connection in a world that’s rapidly changing?

For decades, career advice was straightforward. Parents encouraged their kids to become doctors, lawyers, engineers – professions seen as stable, respected, and lucrative. Then came a wave of support for entrepreneurship and small business ownership. More recently, trades took the spotlight, with good reason: a job that can’t be automated or offshored is increasingly attractive.

But across every era, regardless of the trend, one thing has remained consistent: the people who thrive are the ones with strong human skills.

Let’s pause on that term for a moment – “human skills.” Also known as soft skills, though that phrase is misleading. There’s nothing soft about the ability to communicate clearly, build trust quickly, or read a room under pressure. These skills are difficult to teach, harder to measure, and nearly impossible to automate yet they’re exactly what employers prize.

In fact, a joint study by Stanford, Harvard, and the Carnegie Foundation found that 85% of career success comes from well-developed soft skills, while only 15% is due to technical knowledge. A separate analysis published by Business Insider this year emphasized that people who rise fastest in organizations are rarely the ones with the most technical expertise. They’re the ones who know how to work with people. Jennifer Dulski, a former executive at Google and Facebook, said it plainly: if she were advising the next generation, she’d tell them to focus on communication, collaboration, and resilience – none of which require a coding bootcamp.

This isn’t abstract encouragement. It’s strategic advice in a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence. As AI takes over more tasks – data entry, report writing, even basic legal and medical triage – it’s not competing with our humanity. It’s highlighting it.

The question isn’t “How do we beat the machines?” It’s “How do we double down on being human?”

That starts at home. Not with flashcards or resume padding, but with conversation. Family dinners, for instance, have been shown to improve vocabulary, emotional intelligence, and even academic performance. They’re a training ground for disagreement, storytelling, humour, and connection.

Or consider the humble lemonade stand. When kids sell something to a stranger, they learn how to approach people, explain value, handle rejection, and make eye contact. It’s not just adorable – it’s foundational.

And let’s talk about the workplace. As tempting as remote work may be, it’s not ideal for the young. Early in their careers, people need to observe how decisions are made, how disagreements are resolved, how influence works in a room. They need to make deep connections with colleagues that will support them throughout their career. These aren’t things you pick up on Zoom. They’re absorbed through hallway conversations, body language, and the rhythms of an actual office.

Of course, not every teen or twenty-something wants to run a business or become a manager. That’s fine. But whatever path they take – artist, tradesperson, academic, or accountant – they’ll benefit from mastering the art of human connection. That includes making friends, asking for help, telling a compelling story, and understanding what someone isn’t saying.

So, if you’re giving advice to a graduate this year, enough with the “follow your passion” or “study something practical.” Encourage them to study people. Study history, literature, negotiation, biology – fields that explain how we think, what we value, and how we change. That knowledge won’t go out of date when ChatGPT releases a new version. It’s what makes us adaptable, resilient, and valuable.

One more thing. If all of this feels a little high-minded, here’s a practical reason to take it seriously: loneliness. It’s rising, especially among young people, and it’s not just unpleasant – it’s deadly. A lack of meaningful connection is associated with everything from depression to heart disease. Communication skills aren’t just a competitive advantage. They’re a form of protection.

The future belongs to the humans. But not just any humans – the ones who know how to connect, express, influence, and belong. Let’s raise those.