Dan Goleman popularized the importance of emotional intelligence when his research showed that ⅔ of the success of organizational leaders was due to their EQ as opposed to their IQ or their level of experience in the job. Even so, many senior leaders still deride the value of soft skills. As I’ve said before, as we get older, we don’t need to become software developers; we need to become soft-skills developers—servicing ourselves and others.

Statistically speaking, I’m on the right path. A recent study by the executive recruiting firm Russell Reynolds found that in the past two decades (see graph above), there’s been a 27% growth in CEO job listings that emphasize social skills and a 38% decline in the “hard skills” of financial and material acumen.

Fortunately, EQ grows as we age (on average), which suggests that we are more valuable in the workplace than ever before. So, the next time you’re interviewing for a job, remind the recruiter that you have exactly what they need: social skills.