Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  July 21, 2026

Soft Skills for Leaders Are Back in the Spotlight

As AI automation reshapes the workplace, soft skills for leaders are becoming increasingly valuable, according to research from Eastern Washington University. In fact, three in five employers say they’ve rejected an otherwise qualified finalist due to weak people or communication skills.

The study focuses on higher education, but don’t let that fool you. The findings have important implications for leadership coaches and experts. Look a little deeper, and you’ll see an interesting shift in how organizations are developing and evaluating soft skills for leaders.

Here are two findings that point to a bigger shift:

• Internal mentoring and coaching (89%) and stretch assignments (85%) top the list of the most effective ways to develop leadership skills. Employer-run leadership programs come in third at 83%. That means hiring you for the traditional workshop may no longer be the first solution that comes to mind.

• When assessing these skills, hiring managers rely most on behavioral interviews (37%) and simulations or role plays (35%). Personality assessments rank much lower at 24%. Translation: If your business centers on leadership assessments, expect demand to shift toward more experience-based evaluation methods.

Yep, we all know that strategic thinking and adaptability are superpowers. But organizations are increasingly developing and evaluating soft skills for leaders through real-world experiences, not traditional programs. Leadership experts, proceed accordingly.

Now Read This:

• Why the Generalist Leader Is the Future of Leadership
• Strategic Sounding Boards Give Real-World Advice for When the Rubber Meets the Road

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