The job market is still brutally competitive, and hiring managers are looking beyond technical expertise. Brower argues that resilience—essentially your ability to adapt, flex, and bounce back in the face of change—is the skill that will make you stand out, get promoted, and stay indispensable.
She breaks it down through different lenses (people, problems, rapid change), but the section that really hit home was **resilience with people**—aka the “soft skills” we all talk about but often undervalue.
Here’s the thing: soft skills aren’t soft at all. They’re hard to find, hard to master, and impossible to succeed without.
Some eye-opening stats she shared:
- 24% of hiring managers say soft skills are the *most* important factor when hiring.
- 62% say they’re just as critical as technical/hard skills.
- 60% of leaders believe soft skills matter *more* today than they did five years ago.
(These come from surveys by Resume Template and TestGorilla—solid data.)
What does “resilience with people” actually look like in practice?
- Listening with real empathy so you can respond thoughtfully.
- Communicating clearly with all kinds of people, even when styles clash.
- Collaborating effectively and moving teams toward shared goals.
- Staying professional when things get tough or tense.
Basically, it’s the ability to read the room, adjust your approach on the fly, stay calm when you’re frustrated, and keep the conversation going even when you disagree. People are unpredictable—moods shift, conflicts arise—and the ones who can roll with it are the ones who thrive.
The article was building toward other aspects of resilience (handling problems, navigating rapid change), but the core message is clear: if you want to future-proof your career, start sharpening your adaptability now—especially when it comes to working with others.
My takeaway? 2026 is going to reward the flexible, the empathetic, and the unflappable. Technical skills will get you in the door, but resilience will keep you there—and help you climb higher.
So, what’s one small way you’re planning to build resilience next year? More active listening? Practicing tough conversations? I’m starting with giving myself (and others) a little more grace when things don’t go perfectly.
Here’s to a resilient 2026!