The most vital skills for healthcare workers in the next 10 years

As healthcare continues to transform, many workforce leaders agree that the skills needed for tomorrow’s workforce go far beyond the traditional way of thinking. With shifting patient needs, AI and new technologies emerging, adaptability and a willingness to evolve will be crucial for employees at every level.

Becker’s connected with three system workforce leaders to discuss the most important and human-centered skills that will help define how healthcare teams deliver safe, innovative and compassionate care in the next decade.

Editor’s note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: What skill will be most important for healthcare employees to have in the next decade? Why?

Jeremy Stephens. Executive Vice President, CHRO, Tidelands Health (Georgetown, S.C.): The most critical skill for the future will be adaptability. As health care continues to incorporate the latest technologies and AI in the coming years, health care professionals must be able to continuously adapt as the technologies evolve at a rapid pace. Workers also will need to apply their critical thinking skills to determine the safest, smartest and most appropriate uses for AI to help produce the best outcomes for patients.

In addition, strong communication skills will be key as health care professionals interact with patients, colleagues and the broader communities we serve.

Laura Atkinson. CHRO, Chief Inclusion and Belonging Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources, UofL Health (Louisville, Ky.): Healthcare professionals must promote AI literacy to harness technology’s transformative potential and adaptability to navigate rapid advancements in patient care delivery. Agility in learning and a growth mindset will be essential to thrive amid uncertainty, while cultural competence ensures equitable, patient-centered care for increasingly diverse populations. Resilience is the foundational skill.

It empowers workers to sustain performance under pressure, recover from setbacks and persist through systemic challenges that is believed will continue over the next decade like low staffing, burnout and evolving complex patient needs. Building resilience requires fostering emotional intelligence, self-care practices and supportive team environments to mitigate the toll of high-stakes, fast-paced settings. These skills create a workforce capable of advancing healthcare innovation while safeguarding high quality patient outcomes and their own well-being in a state of constant change.  

Mike Wukitsch. Chief People Officer, Lee Health (Fort Myers, Fla.): Interpersonal effectiveness — strong relationships, teamwork and collaboration — will be the most vital skill for healthcare employees in the next decade.

As technology, AI and hybrid work reshape how we interact, communication has become increasingly transactional. However, healthcare is inherently relational. Complex decisions require not just technical expertise, but human connection and trust.

To deliver compassionate, coordinated care, we must reimagine and refocus on the art of relationships, engaging with empathy, listening deeply and working across disciplines. These skills will define not just how we work, but how we help others heal.

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