Super Skills to Succeed

It is estimated that by 2025, 85 million jobs will be replaced by rapid automation and 40% of core skills will change for workers. New jobs such as Product Design, Plotting Data and User Experience Design will be the new hot positions of the (foreseeable) future and soft skills such as storytelling, change management and communication will become more prevalent to support hard skills.

A skill is defined as the ability to do something well by using your knowledge and aptitude. Skills therefore require special training and knowledge. The need for skills is flexible as it is determined by the needs and wants of people. For this reason, skills will always evolve to stay on trend with current developments.

New skills for new times

We are living in very unique and unpredictable times. In our post-COVID world, and due to pioneering developments in technology, everything is evolving at a faster pace. The result is that many skills that we have mastered in the past, are now irrelevant or not desirable anymore.

Research done by the Coursera group (an online course provider) shows that despite automation “taking” 40% of the jobs, new opportunities to work in technology and automation will more than make up for the predicted job losses. Our children will be the guinea-pigs of a new era where the development of adapted core skills will be crucial to navigate the workforce. 

Soft skills take centre stage

Coursera published lists with the top 10 hard skills and soft skills that would be required of the workforce in the modern world. Soft skills include: communication, change management, professional development, storytelling, planning, influencing, decision making and problem solving. The trend shows that hard skills must be complemented by soft skills to give consumers and customers the ultimate user experience. An employee will therefore be required to not only have hard skills such as technological skills, but will also need soft skills to communicate, make decisions and be flexible.

Storytelling and influencing are two relatively new skills that will directly influence advertising. Customers have so much to choose from these days that they want to know the story behind the product and be convinced that they cannot live without the product. Both Product Design and User Experience Design therefore focus heavily on the consumer and on customer satisfaction. Another hard skill on the top 10 list is Social Media, which ties in with the focus on consumers and customers. Although hard skills are more specific to talent and interests, soft skills can be developed. 

You can help develop your children’s soft skills by:

Asking them to make decisions 

Being able to make a choice or a decision is an important soft skill to learn. Don’t give your young child too many complicated choices though, stick to simple choices like choosing between orange or apple juice. Teenagers should be able to make more complicated decisions with your guidance. If they do make a decision or choice, it is important to hold them accountable for it.

Encouraging them to solve problems

Solving emotional and academic problems are both great soft skills to learn. Young kids can learn problem solving skills through play, e.g. building a ramp for his toy car. Ask questions to guide them, but don’t give the solution immediately. The best way to solve a problem is to try different solutions, until you find the perfect solution.

Letting them tell you about their day 

Being a mother of two teenage boys, I know this is easier said than done. The key here is to not force the conversation. Most kids do not want to have elaborate conversations on the way home after school. If you do get your child to talk, ask questions that will encourage them to elaborate – this way they will practise their storytelling and communication skills.

Helping them to plan their week ahead

This is another soft skill that does not necessarily come naturally for all people. Planning your children’s week ahead with them is not only beneficial to your household, but also teaches them a skill and habit that will benefit them for life. People who plan, plan for success.

Teaching them to be flexible

Flexibility or the ability to adapt to change in our new world is an indispensable soft skill. Some personalities find it easier than others to adapt to change. Encourage your children to embrace change and not to fear it. There are many everyday situations where you can teach your children to be flexible. Although planning and routine are important, the real world is full of curve-balls that children should learn to navigate.

A double disruption, led by automation and COVID-19, is reshaping work and the skills it requires across industries and markets. Make sure your children (and you) stay ahead of the curve by sharpening their soft skills to succeed.