Episode 133: Soft Skills are Human Skills

“Soft skills” might be the worst branding problem in the workplace. In this episode, Carl and Tiffany challenge the label and make the case for calling them what they really are: human skills — the capabilities that drive trust, communication, and real performance.Through personal stories and workplace examples, they explore how communication, empathy, and relationship-building often matter more than technical expertise — especially in high-stakes environments like healthcare and human services. They unpack the growing “skills mismatch,” where strong credentials fall short without the ability to connect, lead, and communicate effectively.As technical skills evolve and AI continues to advance, Carl and Tiffany argue that human skills are becoming even more valuable — not less. This conversation pushes leaders to stop treating these skills as “common sense” and start integrating them into hiring, development, and performance conversations. Because at the end of the day, culture isn’t what you say — it’s how people experience working with you.