Recently, the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) surveyed 18,000 people from 15 countries to determine what skills would be needed to thrive in the future economy. You can read their full findings by clicking HERE. As you see in the graphic above, MGI identified 56 foundational skills the average worker will need to possess at some level to succeed moving forward.
The following are several gleanings I have as I read the study:
COVID Was And Is An Accelerator
The study looked at several changes in the global job market – new jobs created and in-deman, types of jobs eliminated or no longer in the demand, and the impact of AI and automation. What they discovered was while the market was headed in this direction anyway, COVID dramatically accelerated the timeline.
Social And Emotional Skills Will Be In More Demand
Yes, AI and automation will cause a reduced demand for manual skills and basic cognitive tasks. However, the “demand for technological, social and emotional, and higher cognitive skills will grow.” No matter what business you are in, you are still ultimately in the people business.
3 Foundational Skills Machines Cannot Replace
As important a role as AI and automation will play, there are three foundational skills humans should develop to thrive in a future economy regardless of the occupation. These cannot be replaced.
- Adding value beyond automated systems and intelligent machines. Humans can still bring a little extra.
- Digital skills
- Creativity. The top employees will “continually adapt to new ways of working and new occupations.” This leads to the next point…
Don’t Give Up On College Just Yet
Because of the high cost of education and and a lack of subsequent employment opportunities, colleges have been taking a public relations beating. But surprisingly or maybe not so, the survey revealed those with college degrees scored higher on the 56 identified areas of talent. Thus, college graduates seem to be better equipped for the ongoing changes and challenges workers will be experiencing over the next several years. In short, the mentally robust seemed best equipped for future disruption.
The Most Important Leadership Skill To Have Is Still Self-Leadership
The hardest person to lead has always been and will continue to be yourself. Simply put, you cannot control a team or a project if you cannot control yourself first. Those with high-levels of self-leadership can also generally handle change the best.
I Need To Improve Digitally… And I’m Not Alone
While I feel I do pretty well in the other three categories, I need to take my digital fluency to an entirely new level. It appears I’m not alone. When you read MGI’s study, you will learn the 18,000 people surveyed collectively scored the lowest in this area… by a LARGE margin.
What ares are you strong in? Which areas do you need to work on?
The Top 60 Leadership Quotes From 2021 Part 1 is my latest ebook. For many entering a post-pandemic environment, leadership looks completely different than the pre-pandemic world. People are more broken now. They are more uncertain. Fear and anxiousness are unwelcome constant companions. Cultures are more unhealthy. Relationships are more dysfunctional. Hope seems to be in short supply. Every day seems to bring a new hacking, natural disaster, or unexpected calamity.
Therefore, the fundamentals of leadership are more important than ever. The quotes in this book deal with the basics of leadership. If you want to be the best leader you can possibly be, click HERE or on the image provided to download this FREE resource. The lessons learned from last year, if applied, will sustain you for years to come.