Future of Work: Why Human Skills Still Matter in an AI-Driven Workplace
- Angelina Navitskaya
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
What does it take to thrive in a workplace where the ground keeps shifting?
For James Nutt, Regional Account Director at LinkedIn, the answer has always been simple: say yes.
Over a career spanning the UK, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Australia, James has built momentum not by waiting for the perfect moment, but by backing himself to figure it out along the way. That mindset took him from recruitment roles at Hays and Kelly Services, to helping launch Glassdoor in Europe, and now into his role at LinkedIn, where he works with global staffing companies across APAC to navigate the transformation of HR tech and recruitment.
On The Mind Behind, in conversation with Graham Dobbin, James unpacked what that “yes” mindset means in practice, and what it reveals about the future of work, recruitment, and leadership.
The Yes Mindset: Building Momentum Before You’re Ready
Opportunities rarely show up when we feel prepared. James’ career is proof that saying yes creates resilience, opens unexpected doors, and builds the kind of experience no career plan can script.
From moving countries with just a suitcase to transitioning into tech without prior experience, James describes each leap as a mix of planning and serendipity. “Say yes, you know, figure it out as you go,” he says.
The takeaway? In a world of uncertainty, momentum matters more than perfection.
Human Skills in an AI-Driven Workplace
AI is changing the “what” of work. But the “how” and “why” still come down to distinctly human capabilities.
LinkedIn’s workplace learning reports highlight critical gaps in communication, adaptability, and strategic thinking — the very skills executives worry are disappearing from their organisations. James sees the same pattern on the ground, noting: “Human skills, some people call them soft skills, but actually probably some of the harder skills.”
As automation scales, the ability to connect, persuade, and build trust will define which leaders and companies stay relevant. But skills alone aren’t enough, action matters too.
Why Waiting Isn’t a Strategy
Perhaps the biggest danger James sees? Sitting back and waiting.
“The timing probably would have been right two months ago and the timing will be right in another two months because everything's changing so much.”
The organisations adapting fastest aren’t those with the boldest strategies on paper. They’re the ones creating safe spaces for experimentation. Instead of waiting for certainty, they let teams test AI tools, share learnings, and build confidence through practice.
This applies at every level, from enterprise strategy to individual careers. Small steps compound into momentum, while hesitation only widens the gap between external change and internal response.
Waiting isn’t a strategy. Experimentation is.
Recruitment Trends: Reinvention, Not Replacement
Recruitment is one of the industries where this balance between AI and human skills is playing out most visibly. Far from being disrupted out of existence, it's reinventing itself.
Technology now takes care of the repetitive tasks and the admin load. But the real shift is what that frees up: time for recruiters to have richer conversations, build deeper relationships, and bring sharper insights — the things that truly move organisations forward.
James emphasises that technology’s purpose is to support recruiters, not edge them out:
“We’re allowing recruiters to do more and do what they do best. And every call we’re on pretty much we say: hey, we’re not saying be in and on LinkedIn all day, every day, but use the tools that you have to work for you to have more conversations.”
Recruiters are often closer to market shifts than the businesses they support. They see emerging skills, new role demands, and talent shortages as they happen. That vantage point, combined with the right tools, makes them an essential partner in shaping tomorrow’s workforce.
Recruitment technology isn’t about replacement. It’s about enabling recruiters to do what they do best: connect people, spot opportunities, and build trust in an increasingly complex talent landscape.
Leadership Traits That Will Outlast Any Tech Trend
So, what traits does James believe will matter most in the next decade of work?
Curiosity — asking better questions, not just finding quick answers
Growth mindset — treating learning as a continuous process
Self-trust — backing yourself even when the path isn’t clear
Being a good human — doing what you say, building trust, and leading with integrity
These are not “nice-to-haves”, they’re survival skills in a fast-moving environment where AI and automation keep shifting the goalposts.
When asked what matters most across different countries and roles, James points to the fundamentals:
"People do business with people they like and enjoy. They back up what they say they’re going to do, they follow through, and they try not to overcomplicate it."
A Challenge to Take Away
James leaves listeners with a simple challenge: say yes to something that scares you.
It could be a new role, a new tool, or a new way of working. The potential upside outweighs the fear, and in five years, you might look back and realise it was the decision that shaped everything that came after.
In a workplace transformed by AI, saying yes isn’t just about career moves, it’s about embracing change, experimenting early, and trusting that human skills will always matter most.
👉 Listen to the full conversation with James Nutt on The Mind Behind here.
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