Yes, AI is here and here to stay. But human connection has been here longer. And is stronger and just as important. As everyone frantically tries to determine how AI will change our lives and jobs, it is time to take a step back and control what we can control. And that’s the role we play as humans.
As we explore our next role, or look to get promoted or make a move, our first consideration has to be the market. Followed by our skills. Followed by our network. As fewer and fewer roles are available, there are those that will never be replaced by AI. Those are the client facing roles, where having terrific client relationship management skills are going to be mission critical. Your ability to conduct consultative sales, build and enhance existing relationships creating more business opportunities and thus increasing revenues to help your company grow, is real currency.
Research is showing that all things being equal, if there is a runoff between candidates and they can all do the job, the team/firm/hiring manager are choosing the one that fits the best. How do you make that happen? By being able to build rapport with every person on the team regardless of their level or function. She/he who can do that, will win in this next cycle. AI cannot create true human and personal connection. But you can. And must. In fact, Harvard Business School recently published a report that tells us that humans are counting on human interaction not AI for empathy, support and true emotional engagement. On a day-to-day basis, we are not yet surrounded by robots. People will continue to rule the business world and steer AI to where they want it to be, for example, to take over tedious or repetitious work.
People are still hiring and promoting people they like. It behooves you to consider doing all you can to control what you can control. That starts with your likability factor, your ability to build quick and genuine rapport and to have others trust you. If need be, take classes, join networking groups, sign up for Toastmasters, take an improv class or hire a communications coach. This is something you can fix. And it will differentiate you for always.
