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No matter what your profession – doctor, lawyer, architect, accountant – if you are an American, you better be good at the touchy-feely service stuff, because anything that can be digitized can be outsourced to either the smartest or the cheapest producer.
Thomas Friedman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

In a digitized world, personal skills are crucial for standing out in any profession.

Thomas Friedman's quote emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills in the professional realm, particularly in an era where many services can be automated or outsourced. He suggests that while technical expertise is important, the ability to connect with others on an emotional level is what truly sets a professional apart in a competitive market.

Themes

SkillsInterpersonalDigitizationOutsourcingProfession

In practice

Example use cases

During a job interview, you could use this quote to highlight the importance of soft skills in your field.

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