Learning
According to survey results released Wednesday by Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll, personality may be as important as or even more important than skills in hiring. Of more than 1,000 U.S. hiring decision-makers, 86% said the right personality can make up for skill gaps. Hiring managers and job seekers agree that reliability, honesty, adaptability, flexibility, and self-motivation are the most valued traits.
Employee engagement continues to decline—can mentorship be the key to turning things around? The latest report from the Achievers Workforce Institute shows that only 21% of employees believe they can reach the people they need for effective work. Experts note that effective mentorship should be flexible rather than rigid, emphasize bidirectional learning rather than one-way instruction, and avoid making managers the default mentors. This article combines AWI data with HR Dive interviews to analyze the value of cross-generational mentorship, the design logic of flexible models, and their positive impact on retention.
ETS commissioned Harris Poll to survey 15,357 American adults in August-September 2025. Results show that the vast majority of workers consider upskilling an 'inevitable choice,' but 68% say they cannot afford the associated costs, and 63% struggle to balance work and study time. 58% of respondents fear falling behind due to insufficient skills, with rates reaching 74% among technology workers and 73% in financial services. The report notes that employers are expected to play a key role in encouraging professional certification goals, but current AI training remains largely at a basic level, insufficient to address AI's profound impact on work patterns.
Resume Now's analysis of O*NET data reveals 10 core cognitive skills that AI cannot replace, with oral comprehension and expression ranking at the top. Experts point out that these 'durable skills' are in high demand across industries, and multiple studies emphasize the dominant role of human intelligence in AI applications.
The latest research from The Conference Board indicates that while enterprises are enhancing employees' AI skills, training is mostly at a basic level, making it difficult to address the thorough transformation of work methods brought by AI. The survey shows that only one-third of employees have received AI training provided by employers, and the content is mostly AI literacy and basic prompting, while advanced skills such as managing AI agents are overlooked. Experts suggest that enterprises should focus on high-impact training and strengthen the supportive role of managers.
AI tools are already widely used, but corporate leaders, especially frontline managers, may not be fully prepared to adapt to technological change. A ManpowerGroup Talent Solutions survey shows that only 3% of leaders are 'highly ready' to lead AI adoption, and 17% of organizations have 'advanced' or 'transformational' readiness for AI workflows. Forrester analysis points out that many employees are completely unable to use AI, and the responsibility may lie with employers. Other research indicates that without empowered managers, broader organizational learning may not be achievable. Managers need communication and adaptability skills beyond technology to truly succeed.
Research released by the American Management Association (AMA) on July 14 indicates that employees actively seek career growth, but managers often lack the supporting tools, creating a key gap in talent development. The survey shows that only a few managers are considered effective, most employees lack frequent support, and skill improvement opportunities are limited. Experts suggest that companies need to redefine the manager role and strengthen their function in talent cultivation.