As leaders race to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their workplaces, I’ve noticed that some may be missing out on the nuanced elements that drive performance. It’s certainly true that technology can speed up work, automate tasks and support efficiencies; however, these tools are just one part of the productivity equation. Other factors include the human qualities that lead to successful outcomes.
Breaking the AI Productivity Myth
We are now entering the fifth industrial revolution [1], and leaders are preparing for a future where people and technology will be working more closely together than ever before. While investing in the digital literacy of your staff is valuable, an AI-centric approach often overlooks the in-demand soft skills that are required for businesses to operate at their highest level.
Humans are still working inside our companies, and their capacity to cooperate and communicate with one another are vital components of productivity. When employees collaborate effectively, they solve problems more efficiently, innovate with greater ease and achieve increased revenue growth [2].
That means organizations need to prioritize both technological advancements as well as cognitive, interpersonal and leadership competencies [3] to thrive in the short- and long-term.
5 People Skills for Enhanced Performance
From my experience working with organizations to strengthen their team dynamics, I’ve found five capabilities to be particularly valuable in boosting a group’s effectiveness:
- Valuing Other’s Needs
- Building Rapport
- Practicing the Art of Persuasion
- Adopting Different Perspectives
- Creating Community
#1 – Valuing Other’s Needs
I’ve seen the biggest productivity leaps arise when people recognize the importance of tending to the needs of their colleagues by taking to heart the platinum rule, which means to treat others the way they want to be treated. The only way to embrace this practice is to get to know who you are working with, pay attention to potential intent-impact gaps in your communication and take action to ensure understanding. Using tools like the Emergenetics Profile [4] can be a valuable place to begin applying the platinum rule.
#2 – Building Rapport
A second essential soft skill is learning how to establish strong, positive relationships with others. To do so, individuals can consider their collaborators’ needs, proactively build trust with them and make an investment in learning about who they are and what drives them. When employees feel psychologically safe [5], meaning that they are comfortable being open and honest with each other, they can address potential challenges quickly, raise new ideas and speed up the collaborative process.
#3 – Practicing the Art of Persuasion
I’ve noticed a common misconception that taking a directive approach increases efficiency. However, there’s something to be said for thoughtfully gaining buy in. Unless employees are bought into a course of action, they may still go along with it for the sake of compliance, yet they are rarely committed or enthusiastic about driving work forward. To bring out the best in people, find ways to energize them about decisions so they can be active participants in achieving the desired outcomes.
#4 – Adopting Different Perspectives
Recognizing blind spots and proactively considering other points of view is essential to driving productivity. In fact, teams with differing outlooks enhance innovation by about 20% [6] and outperform others in long-term value creation [7]. Without embracing fresh ideas, creativity will stall, and organizations may become trapped in groupthink. It’s especially important as we integrate AI into our work to always question information, so that we may avoid one-size-fits-all approaches and algorithmic bias [8].
#5 – Creating Community
People have an inherent need for connection [9] and a sense of belonging. And those who have close friends at work often feel that they are more engaged and satisfied [10]. When leaders create a space where their team members feel motivated, aligned toward shared goals, and valued for their inputs, their staff’s willingness to put in discretionary effort will increase. From my perspective, the ability to create community inside an organization is a distinctly human quality and one that business cannot afford to ignore.
Making the Case for People-Powered Training
To convince executives to invest in training solutions that prioritize the staff, start by articulating the benefits. Highlight the long-term advantages of a collaborative workforce, including enhanced innovation and higher employee engagement, which in turn results in greater profitability [11].
Additionally, emphasize the alignment between the programs you intend to introduce and the organization’s strategic goals. In most cases, training investments will not be an either-or decision between elevating technical skills or people skills. Both have a place in shaping the trajectory of your company.
Lastly, make sure you have identified how you will measure and assess the effectiveness of your initiatives [12]. Sharing any data from similar training programs can help you secure the investments you need.
As our businesses continue to evolve in the future of work, your company can stand apart by putting your people first and ensuring that they are both AI-literate and equipped with the holistic soft skills that boost performance.
How can you improve productivity in your organization? Discover more insights in our recent research report [13] created in collaboration with HR.com. Or, fill out the form below to discuss how our workshops and eLearnings can help your teams build the competencies they need to collaborate, communicate and innovate.