THE MOST IN-DEMAND SKILLS

to thrive in the future 

by Alison Adair

 

What skills will we need to succeed in the future? Our increasingly digital world requires us to have technology skills and soft critical skills to do the things machines can’t.

 

What are soft skills?

Let's start with what they are not – hard skills. Hard skills are technical or professional skills related to a job's specific duties and requirements, like welding, medical expertise, consulting or computer programming. Soft skills, in contrast, are personal attributes that help us interact effectively with others. These skills include: ‘people skills', ‘interpersonal skills', ‘social skills', or ‘transferable' skills.

Why are soft skills important? 

Research shows that proficiency in a short list of competency areas, which focus mainly on soft skills, is the accurate predictor of success in almost every job.  The predictors are professionalism; interpersonal skills; problem-solving and adaptability; and personal value commitment.  For those who manage people and projects, there are additional predictors of success which include: goal setting, assigning tasks and providing feedback, as well as the ability to motivate others.

Soft skills boost productivity and retention by 12%, delivering a 256% return on investment. In a LinkedIn article, creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence were ranked the most in-demand skills employers want now. According to Forbes, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, leadership, and continuous learning are the competencies everyone needs to succeed and thrive in the future.

 

Explore how these skills can help you advance your career, and our programs that’ll help you get them!

 

Creativity

 

Finding creative solutions is a skill that is not only needed in the workplace but can also be beneficial in one’s personal life. It is a skill that translates to all fields, from business to medicine to engineering.

Suggested courses

Problem-Solving, Decision-Making, and Creativity

Design Thinking

Innovating from Within: Creative Intrapreneurship

NEW Podcasting

 

Emotional intelligence

 

Emotional intelligence is a soft skill that is on the rise. “The ability to perceive, evaluate, and respond to your own emotions and the emotions of others” is vital to developing strong professional relationships and overcoming and alleviating challenges.

Suggested course

Emotional Intelligence

NEW Conflict Management Foundations

 

Collaboration

 

Working in a collaborative workspace is becoming a trend. Organizations acknowledge that multiple brains work more effectively than just one brain. Collaboration is all about reaching the desired goal as a team. The ability to work with others and be a good listener is a skill that transcends the workplace. Collaboration allows an individual to grow by understanding other people’s perspectives and thought processes.

Suggested Courses

Motivation for Superior Performance

Managing Change

Developing and Leading Teams

 

Leadership

 

Good leadership is about bringing the best out of other people and ensuring they can thrive.

Suggested course

Leading Difficult Conversations

The Effective Leader

Leadership Communications

 

Adaptability

 

Change is constantly ongoing at a rapid rate. It is essential to stay calm, logical, and open-minded when change is happening to overcome change and use it best to your advantage.

Suggested course

NEW Business Analytics

Managing Change

 

 

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Stay relevant with employers by adopting a growth mindset and sparking your desire to learn

 

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