In a recent HR Magazine Q&A with Edward Hess, co-author of “Humility is the New Smart, Rethinking Human Excellence in the Smart Machine Age,” he says, how well employees learn continuously and relate to others will become the great differentiator.

Increasing automation and cheap access to information have made the traditional model of “smart” obsolete. Knowing a lot of stuff is becoming less important than critical thinking and being able to emotionally engage with others – two things machines can’t to do. Therefore that skill will increasingly factor into an organization’s success.

Humility is an important part of this equation. Smart people with strong egos can tend to be defensive, less flexible and unable to take critical feedback. While people who are keenly self-aware and receptive to contradictory perspectives have the ability to make data-driven decisions and the empathy needed for effective collaboration.