In our Recruitment Room community this week, we had a session that stuck with me.
Andy Watson, an expert on GBE rules and work permits in football, walked us through a powerful chart shared by Jeroen Kraaijenbrink via the World Economic Forum. It outlined the core skills employers believe will grow most in importance between now and 2030.
Most of these weren’t surprising.
But the way Andy framed them made the relevance to football careers crystal clear.
Here’s the shift…
AI Is Big. But Soft Skills Might Matter More.
Yes, the list includes all the expected buzzwords:
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Tech literacy
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AI and big data
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Automation and decision-making systems
We’re all aware of how important those are becoming. Whether that’s in club operations, analysis, scouting, or player development.
But here’s what really stood out.
Alongside the tech, soft skills are climbing in importance. Rapidly.
These are the human skills that don’t show up on a CV unless you make them obvious:
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Curiosity
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Lifelong learning
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Motivation and self-awareness
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Flexibility and resilience
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Empathy and active listening
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Leadership and social influence
These aren’t optional extras.
They’re becoming differentiators.
In Football, These Skills Are Often the Difference-Maker
We talk a lot in football about tactics, performance, recruitment, data, and strategy.
But the truth is, especially when it comes to careers, these softer, more human attributes often tip the scales.
I’ve seen it over and over.
Two candidates with similar experience.
One gets the role because they showed curiosity, clear self-awareness, or a better ability to build relationships.
Not just talked about it. Lived it.
What This Means for You
Whether you’re working inside a club, applying for roles, or helping others do the same, this list of skills isn’t just corporate theory.
It’s a career compass.
A few questions to reflect on:
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When was the last time you actively developed your self-awareness?
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Can you give an example of using empathy to lead or influence someone?
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How would you prove you're a lifelong learner, not just a knowledge collector?
And maybe most importantly:
In a world racing towards AI and automation, are you investing enough in the things machines can’t replicate?
The Final Word
Yes, the future is digital.
But in football, and in life, relationships still drive outcomes.
The clubs that overperform budgets?
They have alignment. Trust. Connection.
The people who progress quickest?
They bring more than skills. They bring awareness, agility, and impact. Often quietly.
Thanks again to Andy for surfacing this conversation, and to Jerome for sharing the chart. I’ve attached the visual below. Worth a few minutes of your time.
If you're not already inside the Recruitment Room and want access to sessions like this one, you can join here.
Until next time,
Liam
Whenever you’re ready, there are two ways I can help you:
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