As technologies like generative AI reshape the workplace, it’s easy to assume that pursuing greater technical competence will help ensure a long and profitable career. Furthermore, by this logic, companies should look for people with specialized knowledge when filling entry-level roles in a tough market. But according to our new research, fundamental skills — such as collaboration, mathematical thinking and adaptability — may prove to be much more important for both individuals and companies.
In our new study, we analyzed large-scale U.S. data on more than 1,000 occupations across multiple industries from 2005 to 2019, including 70 million job transitions, capturing hundreds of skills. We organize skills into foundational skills (including reading comprehension, basic math skills, and the ability to work well in a team) and more specialized, advanced skills (e.g., blockchain competency). We examine how people’s skills have changed and developed over time.
Also read:
Continues after advertising
We found that those who scored highly on basic skills were more likely to earn higher salaries throughout their careers, advance to higher positions, learn specialized skills more quickly, and be more resilient to industry changes.
The presence and development of fundamental skills didn’t just make workers more competitive for entry-level jobs — they determined how high they could climb the career ladder.
Putting it into practice: What leaders can do
Hire the right candidates
Assess fundamental strengths—such as problem solving, adaptability, and communication—even in specialized roles. These qualities are often more difficult to assess, and unstructured behavioral questions have little predictive power.
Still, companies shouldn’t ignore them. Ask targeted questions to understand how candidates learn, collaborate, and respond to uncertainty, even if the skill itself isn’t easy to quantify.
Our work shows that over the long term, candidates with a foundation of fundamental skills will be more valuable than those who are hyper-specialized and possess specific knowledge but lack soft skills.
Continues after advertising
Develop your team
Invest in early career development that strengthens communication, collaboration, and learning agility — not just technical proficiency. Fundamental skills are much more difficult to develop later in life.
Someone who struggles with math, for example, won’t become fluent with just a few online tutorials; The same goes for social skills, like critical thinking and empathy, which develop through years of school, peer interaction, and mentoring.
Continues after advertising
To build a workforce capable of adapting to future disruptions, companies — and society — need to support the development of fundamental skills from the start.
Lead your team
Managers can play an important role in modeling and reinforcing fundamental skills in day-to-day work. This includes recognizing and rewarding behaviors such as thoughtful communication, collaborative problem solving, and providing opportunities for entry-level employees to strengthen these skills.
Continues after advertising
Tools such as peer feedback, mentoring and team retrospectives can be structured to emphasize the importance of cultivating soft skills, thereby embedding their development into the team culture.
In an era where technical expertise can become irrelevant in just a few years, fundamental skills matter more than ever.
Skills like collaboration, problem solving, and a strong foundation in math transfer across roles and help teams adapt to new challenges.
Continues after advertising
The key to effective human resources management is to prioritize these skills in both hiring and developing employees. This builds a workforce that is resilient, agile and prepared to thrive in an ever-evolving environment.
c.2025 Harvard Business Review. Distribuído pela New York Times Licensing
