Posted by The topics of technological disruption and its threats to the workforce sustainability have been circulating the human resources industry in the past few years, yet not all organisations actually take the initiatives to tackle those challenges. In other words, we are too obsessed with innovations like robots and automation and forget about the areas that are in dire need of human talents. Not everything can be solved by technology, so let’s take a look at the top seven skills that will define the future world of work!
Adaptive Thinking and Business Acumen
This refers to the learning agility in the ever-evolving world, particularly when it comes to technological adoption in traditional businesses. You have to train yourself to stay flexible through changing times by constantly updating the industry trends, learn new skills and unlearn outdated skills. The ability to learn and understand fast will definitely give you a competitive edge as compared to those who refuse to change. It also helps polish your critical thinking skills and makes way for novel ideas that warrant success.
New Media Literacy
With 1.8 billion people on Facebook, 1 billion WhatsApp users, and 600 million Instagram accounts among many other social media platforms, the world has indeed entered a new era of media consumption. People are presented with a huge influx of information at almost every second of the day, from local and world news, celebrity gossips, entertainment sources and advertisements to educational knowledge, literally any kind of content you can think of. Therefore, having the skills to access, analyse, evaluate, and create content that fits into that digital landscape will put anyone in the front row of the future workforce.
Technical and Storytelling
Most professionals are capable of presenting ideas or business solutions, but only a handful of us can deliver a presentation in a descriptive storyteller’s way. This skill is rising in demand because brands are focusing on native advertising as a surefire way to achieve positive branding, instead of using the traditional channels like print and billboard. Furthermore, it’s also about humanising a corporation in order to improve not only customer relations but also the employee experience with the company.
Computational Thinking
The role of computational thinking does not just involve applications development but also across other disciplines, including math, science, and the humanities through machine-powered problem-solving. There is no doubt about the role of computer science in the future of work, not only to build things but also to shape a more analytical and constructive way of thinking. It allows us to go beneath the surface to exploit data, develop theory and identify patterns that would translate into tangible outcomes. Whether you want to change the world or to run a business, computer science is your answer.
Design Mindset
You don’t have to be a designer to master design thinking and employ it into the business concept or any other areas of work. The fundamental role of design mindset is to boost your strategic thinking to focus on solutions instead of problems by applying the frameworks, strategies, techniques, and tools that designers use in design management. In other words, a design mindset enables anyone to approach a problematic situation with a more action-oriented understanding.
Cross-cultural Competence
Globalisation has changed the world in a profound way, primarily in the employment outlook with diversity becomes one of the success driving factors. Hence, cross-cultural competence is much needed in the future workplace. It involves a mutual understanding among different races that will in turn fuel more effective communication skills. You can gain this advantage edge by immersing yourself in foreign cultures with an open mindset. Also, cross-cultural competency reflects one’s ability to thrive in any environment that they work in.
Emotional Intelligence
Let’s not forget about the role of human connection in the world of automation, especially in leadership training. Those who possess higher emotional intelligence or EQ will be able to initiate collaboration and foster relationships that will bring positive impact to the workplace. The ability to control your emotions and understand other’s is the key to outperforming machines in any area that comprises sense-making and social interactions.