Why Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever (and How Dance Can Help!)

The future of work is transforming at record speed—driven by automation, AI, and shifting job markets. Multiple studies point to the same conclusion: human skills like creativity, flexibility, and collaboration are becoming more important than ever.

What the Research Says

• The World Economic Forum reports that by 2030, 70% of the skills used in most jobs will change, with analytical thinking, creativity, and flexibility among the top skills needed in 2025.

• A LinkedIn Global Talent Trends study found that “92% of talent professionals reported that soft skills are equally or more important to hire for than hard skills,” and “89% said that when a new hire doesn’t work out, it’s because they lack much-needed soft skills.” LinkedIn’s behavioral data also shows that creativity is the most in-demand soft skill in short supply (LinkedIn, 2019).

• Creativity isn’t just for art—it’s “solving problems in original ways,” a skill machines can’t easily replicate. A McKinsey study predicts that as automation reshapes the workforce, demand for creativity will rise sharply by 2030.

What This Means

In a future where AI handles more technical tasks, the uniquely human abilities—creativity, adaptability, collaboration—are what set people apart. These are the skills employers are struggling to find and will increasingly value.

How The Secret Dance Technique Classes Build These Future-Ready Skills

1. Introduce the Skill
We first talk about the skill, explaining its importance, real-life applications, and share current research in a way that’s age-appropriate for students.

2. Develop It Through Dance
Next, we bring the skill to life through movement. Students play movement games inspired by current research—for example, studies on creativity—giving them a hands-on, playful way to practice and strengthen the skill. Then, we reinforce it further through choreography, embedding the skill of the day directly into the dance class. This way, students enjoy a unique experience where they learn both dance and life skills at the same time. Best of all, it’s fun and can be adapted to any level of dance experience!

For example, creativity and innovation are highlighted as critical future skills by the World Economic Forum and LinkedIn. When students experience the skill in motion, it becomes fun, memorable, and impactful. By physically engaging with creativity or collaboration, they internalize these abilities while enjoying themselves and building dance skills.

3. Reinforce It in Practice
Students don’t just learn to dance — they also develop the soft skills and life skills that will prepare them for a rapidly changing future.

Prepare for the future — the fun way!

Sources

1. World Economic Forum, Recession and Automation Changes Our Future of Work, But There Are Jobs Coming, Report Says (Oct 2020):
   https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/10/recession-and-automation-changes-our-future-of-work-but-there-are-jobs-coming-report-says-52c5162fce/

2. World Economic Forum, AI is Shifting the Workplace Skillset. But Human Skills Still Count (Jan 2025):
   https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/ai-workplace-skills/

3. World Economic Forum, 2025: The Year Companies Prepare to Disrupt How Work Gets Done (Jan 2025):
   https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/ai-2025-workplace/

4. LinkedIn Global Talent Trends (2019):
   https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/talent-solutions/resources/pdfs/global_talent_trends_2019_emea.pdf