The employment spectrum changed dramatically overnight and thus we learned to become adaptable and flexible. Having a degree is not enough anymore. At the beginning of 2022, we discussed in our article, that for growth and progression to take place, the one thing that remains vital in every business and industry is that employees and management need to continuously upskill.
So, with the pandemic still being an integral part of everyday life, influencing both our work and personal lives, Demzyportal Institute expects 7 soft skill trends in the workplace to evolve in your career during 2023.
The third edition of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Job Report predicts that more than 50% of the worlds working population will need reskilling by 2025. Yes, many people use the terms reskilling and upskilling as interchangeable concepts and don’t realise that they are different terms.
What is the difference between reskilling and upskilling?
An employee who needs to learn and develop a brand-new set of skills (both hard and soft skills) to execute an entirely new job function, requires RESKILLING, whereas UPSKILLING refers to developing skills or teaching your workers new soft skills to enhance and promote their efficiency in their current work position.
When you reskill employees, they will also need to be upskilled in soft skills to advance and grow in that new career. Learning and constantly developing your skills is paramount for the future workplace. And as Doris Lessing said: “That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.”
Let’s discuss our 7 in-demand workplace soft skills for 2022.
Remote work, although very popular now, is not possible for all professions. On top of that, technology has opened a whole variety of new ways of working and as Artificial Intelligence takes over there are certain soft skills that guard against you being replaced by a robot. It’s evident that in future you will have to be highly skilled to remain competitive in the job market.
An infographic in the World Economic Forum’s Future of Job Report stipulated their predictions of what the top 10 skills of 2025 will be.
The Mindspa Institute identified 7 soft skills required in the workplace for 2022, whether it is to upskill and progress in your current position or within a brand-new career.
Skill trend # 1 – Lifelong, continuous, enthusiastic learning
Learning is not only achieved by getting a degree, and it’s not to say that a formal qualification is not good, but merely urging you to commit to lifelong learning. The working world is constantly evolving. The past 2 years proved that learning is the key to adapting, changing, and becoming flexible.
Gandhi said: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” It’s imperative that you and your staff commit to lifelong learning and upskilling in critical skills that will address the core business challenges you face with the know-how you need to overcome those hurdles, you will set your team up for success.
What courses will help to upskill yourself or your team?
Benjamin Franklin said it so beautifully when he said: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” The Mindspa Institute offers a variety of courses to develop both you and your team’s skills across a broad spectrum.
There are also dynamic training and workshops like Coaching and Mentoring where you learn to help unlock the potential, reinforce strengths and counteract any negative behaviour, all with the aim of maximising your staff’s performance. Another course is Train the Trainer where you will improve your training techniques. This course will give you the confidence to deliver highly effective training to a diverse adult audience.
Skill trend # 2 – Analytical Thinking
Analytical Thinking is the ability to observe, collect and interpret information to help with developing solutions to solve problems and make well-informed decisions. It is an in-demand skill trait hiring managers look for in candidates because it helps them to identify and define problems, obtain vital information from data, and develop practical solutions to the problems.
This is done to examine and validate, not only what caused the problem but also to get the most unique and doable solution ideal to resolve the problem. Analytical Thinking also causes employees to foster habits to constantly reinvent themselves, processes, and procedures. Through this they, and the business becomes highly adaptable.
What courses will help to upskill yourself or your team?
Critical and Analytical Thinking is offered as a one-day workshop that will enable delegates to distinguish between the two and equip them with tools to analyse information and solve problems in an effective manner. Another workshop on Adaptability is highly recommendable.
Being adaptable at work can mean people can respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes. Being adaptable also means possessing soft skills like interpersonal, communication, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. This insightful and focussed course will unpack the building blocks required to strengthen your teams’ adaptability and provide everyone with practical tips and tools.
Skill trend # 3 – Coping with Stress to become more Flexible
“Stress is the trash of modern life – we all generate it but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life” said Danzae Pace. The pandemic and plummeting economy affected both our emotional and mental state negatively. Suddenly our stress levels spiked, and our mental and emotional wellbeing became a focal point.
Recruiters will look for candidates who can “roll with the punches” and turn negative stress into positive self-motivation. Employers will need to constantly upskill their current employees in stress management because people who are flexible and are equipped with the right techniques when they are experiencing stress, ease the tension and can not only calm themselves, but also their peers. When employees can turn their stress into self-motivation, they are easier to manage and require less supervision.
Regularly composed employees are not only healthier, but become mindful, which will help them, and their team members grow a positive presence within the company.
What courses will help to upskill yourself or your team?
With the correct stress and time management skills every employee can manage their stress and time themselves. It is imperative that companies invest in proper stress and time management skills development training programmes. The Stress Management practical training course will enable delegates to motivate themselves thereby reducing their levels of unhealthy stress. And our powerful one-day Wellness at Work workshop will equip your employees with an understanding of how they can take care of their mental health in the workplace. It will give them up to date information, personal tools and practical tips. The workshop itself will be fun and motivational and enable all attendees to leave feeling upskilled, uplifted and enabled to self-manage their mental well-being at work.
Skill trend # 4 – Multifaceted Problem-Solving Abilities
Dr Robert Schuller coined the phrase: “Again and again, the impossible decision is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made.” The key to a successful team or business is solving a problem before it turns into a crisis. To have problem-solving skills is non-negotiable and will stop people from playing the blame game. Hiring managers have always sought potential candidates with the ability to solve problems whether it was for a frontline, factory worker or management position. In 2022 and going forward, a more innovative approach to problem-solving and decision-making will give job seekers an added advantage. Businesses that equip their current staff with these skills will gain a competitive edge.
What courses will help to upskill yourself or your team?
Our Problem-Solving workshop will not only teach you techniques but will also address frequently asked questions such as:
- How to make good decisions?
- What are the fundamentals of problem-solving?
- Are we solving the right problems?
Read Also: 9 Tips For Balancing Relationship And Study
Skill trend # 5 – Ethic Leadership Development
Integrity and honesty have become even more critical in today’s fast-paced business world where corruption and unethical behaviour is seen as part and parcel of doing business. People try to take shortcuts that might give them results quicker in the short term but doing things right will ensure long term success and build trust among your employees and business partners. Even Warren Buffett, the American business tycoon, promotes integrity as the main trait to look for while hiring. He said: “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And, if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.” This trait is especially important for leaders to establish long-term collaboration between stakeholders and future business success. When one has a positive work ethic and leadership skills our attitude shows job dedication and satisfaction. This adds value to any organisation, and it shows management and peers traits like being able to collaborate with one another, taking ownership and responsibility, being reliable, as well as increasing one’s productivity.
What courses will help to upskill yourself or your team?
During our Ethical Conduct in a Business Environment training course, you and your employees will learn the hidden value – and priceless potential – of ethics and etiquette and how it can make a difference to their career success and your business. “Ethics or simple honesty is the building blocks upon which our whole society is based, and business is a part of our society, and it’s integral to the practice of being able to conduct business, that you have a set of honest standards.” Kerry Stokes. Good ethical conduct in the workplace indicates that employees take pride in their company’s ethical standards and have respect for other employees, customers, suppliers, and partners. It also includes professional conduct, business etiquette and an understanding of the importance for each employee to represent their company’s brand in a positive manner.
Skill trend # 6 – Creativity and Curiosity
Creativity, curiosity, and initiative sparks innovation and increase productivity, naturally making these skills very sought-after workplace skills. And, because natural curiosity declines as we grow older, developing this trait will take constant effort to convert the mindset. Creativity, in turn, promotes collaboration and encourage information seeking. These are valuable skills because it pursues exploring solving problems with innovative ideas and solutions giving business a competitive edge. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein.
What courses will help to upskill yourself or your team?
Our Creative Thinking workshop will enable delegates to embrace the fact that creative thinking is about “thinking outside the box” and coming up with innovative solutions to problems.
Read Also: How to Prepare for A Job Interview | 10 Job Interview Secrets
Skill trend # 7 – Communicating through Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence are buzzwords that constantly sparks interest as mentioned in one of our previous articles. Required in all work aspects, companies and job titles, emotional intelligence is being self-aware. It’s about how you work with your human emotions to communicate effectively and relate better to people and situations. This skill directly influences how we manage people, solve problems, deal with change, manage behaviours and motivate. An emotionally intelligent manager knows his/her own emotional state and knows how to best work with it but is also tuned into his/her employees’ emotions. Empathy is considered a leading emotion in EQ (aka Emotional Intelligence). It affects how we communicate, act and make our decisions. High EQ people are companionate in their communication efforts. They are willing to assist others, reliable and can neutralise conflict situations better. When dealing with our diverse workforces and cultural differences, EQ has also become a valuable skill to establish how to give and receive constructive criticism, create wellness at work, and promotes teamwork.
What courses will help to upskill yourself or your team?
Emotional Intelligence (EQ), more than IQ, determines professional and personal growth and success. Our Emotional Intelligence workshop will improve your interpersonal relationships, communication skills, conflict, and anger management.
The jobs of the future will require both a reskilling and upskilling mixture of hard and soft skills. HR managers, workplace training professionals and training institutions all need to help people bridge the gaps during this year and the years to come.
