Are you thinking of following a new career path? Perhaps you’re reentering the workplace after a pause due to a life event, or just looking for a new challenge. Whatever the circumstances, you may find that your workplace skills need refreshing. These are the 7 must-have skills to thrive in tomorrow’s workplace.
1. Digital Literacy
One of the first steps to take when you’re ready to make a career change is to refine your skills. With the worldwide move to all things digital, this means improving your digital literacy. But to thrive in tomorrow’s workplace, mere computer literacy is not enough. Digital fluency is called for.
This is reasonably easy to achieve, as there are a great variety of digital skills courses available online. Be careful to choose the right ones, though. Technology is advancing rapidly, and the skills that served you last year won’t serve you in the next. Stay up to date with digital trends to remain ahead of the pack.
2. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Critical thinking and problem-solving are skills that employers always look for. From product design and development to customer service, these are skills that help you find new and innovative solutions to existing problems. They are also vital in any project that requires teamwork.
It’s easy to sharpen your critical thinking and problem-solving skills at home, and in your leisure time, too. Reading, solving crossword puzzles, and other mentally-stimulating hobbies can help you hone these skills that will help you solve bigger problems in the workplace.
3. Adaptability and Resilience
As we’ve discovered in countless interviews with successful entrepreneurs, adaptability and resilience are essential for career success. The ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing environment will prepare you for survival in the most competitive industries.
Any business, especially a fledgling startup, will go through ups and downs. These challenges require employees (and employers) who can weather the storms and adapt to changing situations. Adaptability and resilience are life skills that will help you succeed, both in business and in life.
4. Emotional Intelligence
Traditional business skills will always be important, but today’s business leaders understand the importance of psychological factors, too. Therefore, emotional intelligence has become almost as important as cognitive intelligence in identifying candidates for succession roles.
But what is emotional intelligence, and why is it so important? It’s useful in all spheres of the workplace, from the office desk to meetings with your boss. When you use your emotional intelligence, you’ll be able to manage your emotions, reduce stress, and communicate more effectively.
This will help you to de-escalate issues before they build and become overwhelming. What’s more, by learning to empathize with coworkers, employees, and clients, you’ll be able find more equitable solutions to problems.
5. Continuous Learning
Continuous learning is the key to staying relevant in the workplace. This does not have to mean tertiary education, although it certainly is a plus. Take a short course on the latest digital work tools, management strategies, or communication skills. Read widely, and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
The important thing is to choose courses versatile enough to apply to any industry. By showing an interest in continuous learning, you signal to employers that you’re willing to invest in your career growth. If you are the employer, you show your employees that you are committed to future growth.
6. Leadership and Collaboration
Leadership skills are essential to thrive in the workplace. Without them, no business will get things done. However, there has been a shift in recent years from top-down leadership to collaborative leadership, which breaks down the barriers that traditional management sometimes creates.
It allows everyone in the organization to play a vital role in decision-making. Although a degree of top-down management will always be needed, it’s not as regimental as before. By enhancing your collaborative skills, you become a better team player and a better manager.
Regardless of the position you apply for, these skills will put you at the top of the shortlist. They’ll help you fulfill your work roles with the right combination of strength and camaraderie.
7. Adaptive Communication
Virtual collaboration is common in many businesses today. As more and more companies adopt a remote or hybrid work model, this has become the predominant communication style in many sectors.
Become familiar with these communication tools, and it will ease your transition into every new workspace. While they are generally user-friendly and have a low learning curve, they require a different communication style than conventional face-to-face communication.
If you’ve relied on reading body language in the past, you’ll find the lack of these cues frustrating. However, you can learn a lot from language use in emails, or facial cues in Zoom meetings. Adapt to reading these cues, and you’ll master the art of virtual communication.