The New Currency of a Volatile Market: Professionals Invest in Self-Development to Build Career Capital
SAN DIEGO – In an economic climate defined by uncertainty and rapid technological change, a growing number of ambitious professionals are turning inward to secure their future. They are investing heavily in what influence coach Mark Taylor calls "the ultimate portable asset": their own self-development. For individuals in client-facing roles—from management consultants to healthcare providers—technical skills are no longer enough. The differentiating factor, experts argue, is a sophisticated suite of social skills, self-awareness, and resilience. This renewed focus on "soft skills" is creating a boom in the personal development coaching industry, targeting individuals who view this training not as an expense, but as a critical investment in their career trajectory. "We're seeing a major shift," says Taylor, founder of a coaching firm that works with professionals from Fortune 500 companies. "People are moving beyond passive 'self-help'—...