New Economy Skills Unlocking the Human Advantage 2025

Share of US job postings mentioning human-centric skills, May 2024–April 2025 FIGURE 12 Speaking, writing and languages 49%Leadership and social influence 21%Dependability and attention to detail 10%Resilience, flexibility and agility 10% Systems thinking 4% Creative thinking 2%Curiosity and lifelong learning 2%Mathematical and statistical thinking 8%Teaching, mentoring and coaching 8% Analytical thinking 7%Empathy and active listening 5% Notes: Share of US job postings mentioning human-centric skills May 2024– April 2025. Source: Indeed analysis; World Economic Forum, Global Skills Taxonomy. Recognition data deepens this paradox. Workhuman data shows that leadership, motivation and dependability are the most frequently recognized in workplaces, while systems thinking, teaching and creative thinking are least acknowledged. Yet frequency does not always align with value. Skills like creative thinking and resilience, though less often observed, are consistently attributed higher value than other human-centric skills when recognized by peers (Box 4).Taken together, findings from Indeed and Workhuman show that the very skills expected to drive future adaptability and innovation are the least visible in recruitment practices. If organizations fail to make such skills explicit in job descriptions or recognition systems, they risk sending the message that they are secondary, undermining their perceived importance for future employees. New Economy Skills: Unlocking the Human Advantage 19