C-Suite and HR Leaders Say Both Life Skills and AI Skills Matter

High Point University (HPU) conducted two surveys from April 28-30, 2026, revealing a strong preference among C-Suite executives and HR professionals for life skills in hiring. Ninety percent of executives and 93% of HR leaders agree that traits like emotional intelligence, work ethic, motivation, and collaboration remain critical in the AI era. Only 17% of executives and 14% of HR pros have ever hired someone based solely on AI experience, underscoring the persistent demand for human-centered abilities. The surveys, fielded separately but yielding consistent results, showed that 87% of executives and 92% of HR pros believe the ideal workplace leader balances technical and life skills. When designing their 'perfect employee,' 64% of executives and 66% of HR professionals favored a near-equal split between AI skills and life skills. However, when forced to choose between candidates with only AI expertise or only life skills, 75% of executives and 78% of HR pros opted for life skills, particularly emotional intelligence (70% and 72% preference) and motivation (75% and 79%). Both groups also agreed life skills are harder to teach than AI skills. Executives rated leadership (81%), emotional intelligence (80%), and problem-solving (79%) as more difficult to train than AI capabilities. HPU President Nido Qubein emphasized the findings align with their mission to equip students with enduring life skills, while Heidi Echols, director of HPU’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, noted that human capabilities like communication and collaboration determine AI’s effective use. The data highlights a workplace shift where AI enhances productivity but human skills drive success. Executives and HR leaders consistently ranked life skills as essential, even as AI integration grows, reinforcing the need for education that balances technical and interpersonal development.