Workplaces depend on invisible skills. The ability to communicate interact and build relationships is vital for everyone. But particular proficiency in these hard-to-pin-down soft skills is needed for roles in customer service, hospitality or child, health and aged care, where they tend to be taken for granted. A new tool to recognise and develop these hidden skills, created by Australian School of Business researchers, is informing a US inquiry into 21st century competencies and a landmark equal pay case before Fair Work Australia. The upshot may be better pay, recognition and career paths for millions of workers.