Power Skills and the Future of Work

THRIVING TOGETHER

Cultivating Power Skills for a Changing World of Work

As technology transforms jobs, power skills (also known as durable skills) such as communication, teamwork, and resilience are what help workers and organizations adapt. These are the skills that make people employable for life.

Join the SHRM Foundation to help employers embed power skills into hiring, leadership, and learning systems.

Shot of a young female programmer using a digital tablet while working late in her office

Overview

43%

of managers say Generation Z employees lack key power skills such as communication and problem-solving.
(The Digital Project Manager, 2024)

28%

of employers say recent graduates are well prepared in time management, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution.
(NACE, 2024)

66%

of employees experience incivility monthly, costing U.S. businesses over $2.1 billion per day in lost productivity.
(SHRM Civility Index, 2025)

The human edge lies in adaptability, empathy, and critical thinking.

As artificial intelligence and automation reshape the workplace, human capabilities — such as empathy, adaptability, and critical thinking — are the true drivers of performance and innovation. Investing in power skills reduces conflict, strengthens collaboration, and builds future-ready teams.

The SHRM Foundation leads national efforts to define, assess, and scale power skills training through the Center for a Skills First Future, bridging collaborations between employers, educators, and policymakers.

Join the SHRM Foundation in shaping a workforce that’s ready for whatever comes next — equipped, engaged, and adaptable.

Employers have an urgent opportunity — and responsibility — to build power skills for the future.

Assess: Identify the core power skills your workforce needs today and tomorrow.
Develop: Integrate these skills into onboarding, training, and leadership programs.
Model: Encourage leaders to demonstrate empathy, communication, and adaptability.
Measure: Track progress through engagement, feedback, and performance metrics.
Sustain: Align hiring and promotion practices with skills-based approaches.