The Times of India article published today, based on the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Survey 2025, listed the top five skills that will matter most in the next five years. These included analytical thinking, resilience, leadership, creativity, and motivation.

As I read it, one thing screamed between the lines - Emotional Intelligence. Not mentioned. Not measured. Yet it’s the thread holding every so-called ‘future skills’ together.

And yet, most institutions - whether academic or corporate - continue to dismiss Emotional Intelligence as a “nice to have.”
A warm, fuzzy concept. A feel-good checkbox.
Not a core capability. Not a strategic driver.

It’s seen as an expense, not an investment.
A chore that interrupts their 'important work’ - instead of the one thing that could help them work smarter, connect better, and lead without burning out.

We speak of performance, retention, innovation - yet we ignore the emotional foundations that hold it all up. It’s not just short-sighted. It’s reckless.

That disconnect is staggering, especially when the world is crying out for emotionally grounded leadership, resilient teams, and human connection that can stand up to pressure.

Why Are We Still Ignoring the Obvious?

I’ve seen this firsthand in my work across industries. Companies are rushing to become AI-ready, efficiency-driven, and tech-advanced - but they’re bleeding engagement, trust, and alignment.

The 2025 TalentSmartEQ report says 81% of organizations aim to break silos and improve collaboration. But less than half have embedded the skills of Emotional Intelligence systemically.

We’re entering what I call an emotional recession - and most people aren't even aware they’re in it.

What EI Actually Powers

When we talk about resilience, influence, creativity, and even motivation, we’re really talking about emotional capacity. Here’s what I’ve seen EI do in real time - on the ground, in offices, with individuals who thought they were "just here for a soft skills workshop.”

• It builds emotional agility - people learn to stay grounded, no matter how fast things change.

• It creates authentic leadership, driven not by authority, but by trust and empathy.

• It makes space for creativity - because people can speak up without fear of being dismissed.

• It nurtures intrinsic motivation, the kind that fuels consistent effort even without external push.

• And it brings in real self-awareness - the kind that shows up in tough decisions, pressure moments, and relationships that matter.

This Isn’t Optional Anymore

We cannot keep building systems that train people to work faster but not feel better.

We cannot expect leaders to inspire, educators to empower, or teams to collaborate - if they don’t even understand their own emotional landscape.

If we truly want to future-proof our people, we must stop treating Emotional Intelligence as an elective.

Because what machines can replicate, they will. 

What they can’t replicate - self-awareness, empathy, emotional clarity - is where we must lead.