Untapped Talent for the Future of Work: A Conversation with Benjamin Wolff
- Tosca DiMatteo
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
What if the secret to success in the age of AI isn’t about technical skills, but about creativity, empathy, and the power of a well-told story?
I had the privilege of interviewing Benjamin Wolff, Forbes leadership contributor, author, and former professional cellist, for an inspiring conversation on why the future of work belongs to those who embrace the full spectrum of human skills. Ben’s career arc, from the concert hall to the corporate world, offers a roadmap for organizations and leaders ready to rethink what talent can look like.
Seeing Beyond the Resume
Though many appreciate the arts, most people experience only the result; a performance, a painting, a finished product. Rarely do we see the intense discipline, collaboration, and creative process that bring these works to life. In Ben’s view, it’s these behind-the-scenes skills that are desperately needed in boardrooms and team meetings alike.
The Case for Human Skills
The most valued abilities in tomorrow’s workplace, which includes creativity, emotional intelligence, focused discipline, and storytelling, are not easily measured. And yet, these skills are the bedrock of innovation and resilience. Ben challenges organizations to consider that some of the most impactful contributions can’t, and shouldn’t, be squeezed into a spreadsheet.
Why Now Is the Moment
As AI automates more analytical tasks, what remains irreplaceable is our ability to connect dots, tell stories, inspire action, and evolve creatively. Ben argues that companies ignoring the value of artists and creatives are missing out on a deep well of talent: people fluent in collaboration, practiced in learning from failure, and attuned to the nuances of the human experience.
Moving Beyond Surface-Level Creativity
Bringing creativity to business means more than a lunchtime paint class or a single innovation workshop. True integration involves cultivating creativity as an everyday discipline, placing value on the process, not just the result. For leaders, this starts with hiring and promoting people who bring curiosity, fresh perspective, and the courage to challenge the status quo.
Practical Ways to Tap Untapped Talent
How can leaders bring more of these essential skills into their teams?
Rethink Hiring Practices: Move beyond traditional resumes and degree requirements to spot unconventional experience, like arts backgrounds or non-linear career paths that signal flexible, creative thinkers.
Experiment with “Translator” Roles: Consider hiring individuals who can bridge worlds, connecting creative talent and business objectives, and helping teams appreciate different approaches.
Encourage Creative Personal Practice: Promote personal creative endeavors (music, writing, painting, dance, etc.) for everyone, from interns to executives to build patience, problem-solving, and vulnerability. Hot tip; the goal isn't to be good, it's to learn about the process.
Invest in Human Skills: Prioritize storytelling, listening, negotiation, and emotional intelligence as part of leadership development and team culture.
Embracing the Immeasurable
Not everything that matters can (or should) be quantified. Ben reminds us to make room for the “immeasurable”, the qualities that defy easy metrics but make organizations thrive including: empathy, curiosity, aesthetic sense, and the courage to break the mold.
Ready to See Talent Differently?
If your organization is stuck thinking inside the usual boxes, this conversation with Benjamin Wolff may be the invitation you need to bring in new voices, fresh perspectives, and the kind of untapped talent that will set you apart in the future of work.
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Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into practical steps and stories for leading creativity at work.
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