Building Human-Centric Skills for the Future of Work

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, increasing workforce diversity and a constantly evolving business landscape, the significance of human-centric skills has never been greater. From emotional intelligence to adaptability, the need for these capabilities is becoming more apparent as businesses move into the future. Yet despite this growing recognition, many companies indicate being unprepared to fully capitalize on the opportunity to build these essential skills.

As technology progresses, with automation and artificial intelligence (AI) becoming more prevalent in our workplaces, many job functions, even those considered “untouchable” (i.e. knowledge-based functions), are now being performed by machines. Tasks that require analytical processing, rote memory and even advanced coding can now be executed through automation. This leaves the human skills, such as active listening, mental resilience, adaptability and empathy, at the forefront of what makes a company competitive and successful. However, while leaders may acknowledge the importance of these traits, many feel that today’s workforce is ill-equipped to meet these demands.

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “Future of Jobs” study demonstrates this growing belief. The WEF found that CEOs worldwide are increasingly placing human skills at the top of their priority list. The study shows that business leaders believe that interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and problem-solving abilities will be critical in the next decade. Yet, many organizations are struggling to keep pace with the skill-building required to address these needs.

Locally, a 2024 study (Workforce Insights Study) conducted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, echoed these sentiments. After polling employers in Greater Des Moines (DSM), the study identified three key skills that will be most valuable in the future: 1) active listening, 2) dependability and 3) mental resilience and flexibility. These skills are distinctly human, setting them apart from the kinds of technical or task-based abilities that machines can handle. However, the question remains: how do we as both individuals and collections of teams develop these needed traits for the future of work?

One key challenge is that many professional settings don’t emphasize or nurture these attributes in a way that fosters real growth. Standard training programs, performance reviews and corporate retreats often fail to dive deep into the vulnerability, setbacks and resilience needed to truly embrace human-centric skills. That’s where we hope to step in.

Enter Fail Forward

Fail Forward (FF) is a local Des Moines-based event created to address the growing need for human-centered skills in the workforce. What sets Fail Forward apart is its focus on the personal and professional development stories you don’t hear about anywhere else — those of fears, failures, challenges and vulnerability. Rather than following the traditional narrative of “success stories” so common in business today, FF offers a refreshing and honest approach to learning and development. Participants hear real stories of trials, mistakes and resilience, the kinds of experiences that rarely get discussed in boardrooms but are essential for true personal and professional growth.

At Fail Forward, the event begins with a diverse group of speakers who share their authentic stories of struggle. These are not tales of overnight success, meteoric rises of status, or “how I became a millionaire.” Instead, speakers share their darkest moments. The mistakes, the setbacks, the times when things went wrong and what was learned from those experiences. It’s about hearing lessons you can’t find in a textbook or learning at a corporate retreat. By openly sharing these experiences, attendees can see how grit, determination and a willingness to grow from failure can lead to greater success, in business, and in life, than perfection ever could.

Attendees aren’t just passive participants either. Fail Forward is designed to foster meaningful conversations among attendees, encouraging them to engage deeply with each other and the speakers. The result is a dynamic and interactive environment where people learn not just from the stories they hear, but from their reflections and the insights of others. Whether it's through small group discussions or a Q+A panel with the speakers, attendees are encouraged to embrace their vulnerabilities and talk openly about their challenges, failures and fears.

Before and after the event, Fail Forward also offers an authentic networking experience that is refreshingly different from the typical professional mingling. This is not where people partake in the standard business card exchange or superficial small talk, rather, Fail Forward encourages conversations that are real, meaningful and impactful. By creating a space where people can connect on a deeper level, the event fosters community building — an environment where professional relationships are formed based on shared experiences, trust and mutual respect.

Promoting Growth

Fail Forward centers on the concept that failure, fear and challenge are not roadblocks to success but are instead the steppingstones on the path to growth. Most professional environments subtly reinforce the notion that failure is something to be avoided at all costs, and fear is something to be conquered or hidden. However, the Fail Forward event seeks to change this narrative by embracing failure, normalizing fear and recognizing the importance of challenges.

At the heart of Fail Forward is the belief that failures, whether large or small, offer valuable lessons. Each failure comes with its own unique set of consequences and opportunities for growth. Rather than shying away from failure or hiding it under a cloak of shame, Fail Forward encourages participants to highlight these opportunities. In doing so, they learn to see failure as a powerful tool for personal and professional development.

The event also focuses on fear — not just the grand fears we all face, like the fear of failure or public speaking, but also the quieter, everyday fears that many professionals experience. These include impostor syndrome, the fear of retribution, or the anxiety that comes with being vulnerable in front of others. By addressing these fears openly, we work to create an environment where people can feel safe enough to express their vulnerabilities and grow from them.

Finally, challenges and setbacks are framed not as insurmountable obstacles but as pivots in the journey to success. Fail Forward teaches that when things don’t go as planned, it doesn’t mean the end of the road. Instead, it’s an opportunity to adapt, re-strategize and come out stronger on the other side. Learning to navigate these unexpected turns with resilience and flexibility is a key takeaway for attendees.

How Accountability, Resilience and Vulnerability Build Community

While the stories of failure, fear and challenge are compelling, the broader goal of Fail Forward is to help participants grow in ways that will have a lasting impact. Our event promotes the development of four key areas: accountability, resilience, vulnerability and community.

Accountability is emphasized as the cornerstone of growth. Attendees are encouraged to own their failures and the challenges that hold them back. By accepting responsibility, they gain control over their own development and can use these experiences as fuel for personal and professional growth.

Resiliency and flexibility are essential skills in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Fail Forward teaches participants how to embrace the unexpected, adapt to change and find new paths forward when the old ones are blocked. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about bouncing forward, learning from setbacks and becoming stronger through adversity.

Vulnerability is often seen as a weakness in professional settings, but we are fighting to change that. Vulnerability is viewed as a powerful tool for growth and innovation. This event creates a psychologically safe environment where participants can express their vulnerabilities without fear of judgment or retribution. By being open and honest about their fears and failures, attendees unlock the potential for deeper personal growth and more meaningful connections with others.

Community is a core element of the Fail Forward experience. Unlike the superficial networking that characterizes many professional events, Fail Forward fosters a sense of belonging. Attendees become part of a supportive, like-minded community that values measured risks, personal growth and collective success. The event seeks to create a rising tide that lifts all ships, where participants help each other succeed through shared experiences and mutual encouragement.

The Future of Work

As businesses face an uncertain future where human skills will become increasingly important, it is more critical than ever to cultivate the attributes that make us uniquely human. Fail Forward is not just an event; it is the beginning of a movement aimed at developing the human-centered skills that will define the future of work.

The business landscape is changing, and while technology may continue to advance, it is people who will drive the success of companies in the future. Emotional intelligence, resilience, adaptability, and vulnerability are the skills that will set individuals and organizations apart. Yet, as studies have shown, many leaders feel that the workforce is unprepared to meet these demands.

We are proud to be part of this movement in Des Moines — a city that, while rooted in the heart of the Midwest, is committed to fostering innovation and personal growth. We invite you to join us at the next Fail Forward event, where we will continue to build a community that values human-centered skills and celebrates the power of failure, fear and vulnerability.

We look forward to seeing you soon and starting this journey together. Because in the end, it’s our people, not just our technology, that will shape the future.

Get your tickets to the Des Moines 2024 event on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 at The Shop DSM.

Job opportunities and career resources are abundant in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Whether you're looking to find an internship, a job, develop professionally or grow as a student, we have the resources to help you thrive.