New research from Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) finds that AI and widening gaps between the skills organizations have and the capabilities they need will reshape how talent is hired, developed and deployed in 2027.

“The work people are being asked to do is evolving faster than many organizations are prepared for,” said Jeanne MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Recruitment Process Outsourcing, Korn Ferry. “The organizations that understand the skills they have, anticipate what they will need next and develop people quickly will be best positioned to thrive in 2027 and beyond.”

More than three-quarters (77%) of leaders surveyed say capability gaps will be a greater challenge than talent shortages, while 78% say too few people are prepared for how work will be done in the future.

Next year’s most-wanted skill, the research found, will be adaptability. Being adaptable to what jobs require next is further amplified when coupled with critical thinking and collaboration, which are ranked the second and third most-desired skills in the survey.

The findings, based on a survey of more than 1,300 talent and senior leaders across more than 75 countries, point to seven workforce shifts:

  • Adaptability is the No. 1 workforce skill. Organizations will need to assess, develop and reward it as a core workforce capability.

  • AI will redefine entry-level work. Sixty-three percent expect AI agents to take over routine tasks, while 40% plan to maintain entry-level hiring but with a greater focus on higher-value work.

  • Skills will matter more than roles. Sixty-five percent say work will be organized around skills, 67% expect people to move across projects and 66% plan to invest heavily in reskilling.

  • Career paths will become more fluid. Ninety-one percent expect employees to take greater ownership of development, and 87% say lateral moves will become as important as promotions.

  • Managers will need stronger people skills. Ninety-one percent say coaching and people skills will become more important. And 66% expect managers to spend more time guiding their teams through change than managing their day-to-day work.

  • Technical labor shortages will grow. Sixty-five percent anticipate shortages of skilled manual and technical labor, while 64% expect AI to cause more disruption in knowledge work than in frontline work.

  • Talent functions will become more integrated. Sixty-nine percent expect hiring, learning and development, and workforce planning teams to work more closely together, supported by emerging roles such as head of skills, head of work design and head of human-AI.

“Skills-based work, AI-enabled job redesign and more fluid career paths are accelerating,” MacDonald added. “Organizations will need clear career pathways, meaningful development and managers who help people build the capabilities their businesses need.”

View the 2027 Talent Trends Report.

Survey Methodology

Korn Ferry surveyed more than 1,300 talent and senior leaders across more than 75 countries about how talent strategies are evolving for 2027.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global consulting firm that powers performance. We unlock the potential in your people and unleash transformation across your business—synchronizing strategy, operations, and talent to accelerate performance, fuel growth, and inspire a legacy of change. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking companies across every major industry turn to us—for a shared commitment to lasting impact and the bold ambition to Be More Than.

As the Official Talent & Organizational Consulting Partner of LA28, Korn Ferry is powering the nearly 5,000 people who power the Olympic Games—bringing in the right talent, building strong leaders, and shaping the structure and culture that will deliver an unforgettable experience for the world.

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