The traits employers are looking for when they hire are changing.
Our latest Hiring Intelligence Report, covering the first half of 2026, compares assessment data from January to May 2022 with the same period in 2026, giving a clear view of how employer priorities have shifted since the rise of generative AI.
Much of the report focuses on the traits gaining ground. Stress Management is now the most assessed trait. Listening remains close to the top. Resilient, Calm, Variety and Self-development all point to a growing demand for people who can cope with pressure, work well with others, adapt to changing demands and keep learning.
But the traits losing ground are just as interesting.
The report shows that Creative, Optimistic, Tenacious and Gregarious have all declined in relative assessment popularity. This does not mean these traits no longer matter. It means they are being assessed less often compared with other traits that have gained momentum in 2026.
Creative has dropped in relative popularity
Creative has moved down 12 ranks since 2022.
This trait describes people who look for new approaches, enjoy trying new ideas and prefer inventing new methods over applying old ones.
At first, this decline may seem surprising. In a period shaped by AI, automation and new ways of working, creativity might seem like one of the most obvious traits to assess. Organisations still need innovation. They still need people who can think differently, solve problems and find better ways of doing things.
So the drop does not suggest that creativity has become unimportant.
A more likely explanation is that creativity is being reframed. Employers may be assessing innovation through broader workplace traits such as Change, Variety and Self-development.
Optimistic has also lost ground
Optimistic has also moved down 12 ranks.
This trait describes people who expect things to turn out well, feel confident about the future and tend to accentuate the positive.
Optimism can be useful at work. It can help people maintain morale, look for possibilities and avoid becoming trapped in negative thinking. But the H1/2026 data suggests that employers may now be placing greater emphasis on steadiness than positivity.
That fits with the wider pattern in the report.
Stress Management is now the most assessed trait. Resilient remains in the top three. Calm has moved sharply up the rankings. These traits all point towards emotional control, composure and the ability to function under pressure.
Optimism alone may not be enough in a difficult workplace context. Employers appear to be looking for people who can deal with reality clearly, recover from setbacks and stay effective when circumstances are challenging.
Tenacious has declined too
Tenacious has dropped 8 ranks since 2022.
This trait describes people who keep going with tasks, get things done and continue even when the work is boring or repetitive.
Persistence still matters. Every organisation needs people who can follow through. But the decline in Tenacious may suggest that persistence on its own is being viewed differently.
In a more fluid workplace, continuing with a task is not always the best response. Sometimes people need to change direction, learn a new tool, reprioritise or stop doing something that no longer works.
This may explain why traits such as Adaptable, Variety and Self-development are so important in the 2026 data. Employers still want people who can deliver, but they may be looking for a more flexible form of performance.
Gregarious is less prominent than before
Gregarious has moved down 6 ranks.
This trait describes people who enjoy the company of others, are sociable and tend to work well around people.
The decline here is especially interesting because it does not mean employers are moving away from interpersonal skills. Listening remains the second most assessed trait in H1/2026, while Poised has also grown in popularity.
It could be that employers may be becoming more precise about the type of people skills they want.
General sociability is not the same as effective communication. A person can be outgoing without being a good listener. They can enjoy being around people without being especially skilled at understanding others, handling sensitive conversations or building trust.
What this suggests about hiring in 2026
The traits losing prominence show a shift in hiring priorities.
Employers are not rejecting creativity, optimism, persistence or sociability. These traits can still be valuable in the right role and context. But they appear to be giving more attention to traits that help people perform under pressure, adapt to changing demands, keep learning and interact with others in more thoughtful ways.
That is the wider story of our latest Hiring Intelligence Report.
The AI era has not reduced the importance of human traits. It has changed which human traits are most visible in hiring.
For HR leaders, recruiters and hiring teams, the message is clear: candidate assessment needs to keep pace with the changing reality of work. The traits that once stood out may now need to be understood alongside emotional steadiness, learning orientation, adaptability and more precise interpersonal judgement.
