KidCheck Secure Children's Check-In Shares Five Skills for Future Success

The pace of the world is quickening, and many of us wonder what we will need to know in the future to succeed. Is it just technical skills, or are there soft skills that need to be focused on to complete tasks that machines can’t do? Whether you are new to your role or have been there awhile, you can prepare to thrive.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers identifies some “must-have skills” for future success. They must be learned by doing and put into action in your area of influence. Having the right tools is helpful, but learning to use them effectively is the key to your future.

If you aim to build a long and successful career, here are skills to focus on.

1. Problem-Solving

A fundamental leadership skill enables you to handle challenging or unforeseen circumstances. Developing this skill will help improve your performance and advance your organization’s mission. Reultant.com identified five common personal characteristics of successful problem solvers that contribute to success. They include:

  • Being Fearless because they believe every problem has a solution and will stop at nothing to figure it out.
  • Always Optimistic because they have the drive and enthusiasm to find the best solutions.
  • Naturally Driven because they translate the to-do list into action.
  • Highly Intelligent is driven by experience, knowledge, and a curiosity about what will sort order from chaos.
  • Empathetic includes a deep understanding of people, how they operate, and their needs.

2. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is always a highly valued and in-demand leadership skill. The ability to analyze arguments, evaluate data, and differentiate between fact and fiction are beneficial abilities. Critical thinking is a higher-order skill that takes time and practice to develop. However, you can start by asking more open-ended questions, no matter how simple you think they might be, evaluating your assumptions, finding ways to solve personal and professional problems, and considering alternative perspectives.

3. Digital Literacy

The American Library Association defines digital literacy as ”the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information.” Whether your organization is low-tech or utilizing the latest technologies, you will always need to be able to navigate the internet, communicate online, and use a computer with the associated software. If this is an area of development, you can take online courses, search for tutorials, or attend webinars.

4. Emotional Intelligence

Harvard Business School shares that “Emotional Intelligence is one of the most sought-after interpersonal skills in the workplace and defines it as the ability to understand and manage your emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you.” They state that 71% of employers value emotional intelligence more than technical savvy.

So, how do you develop this critical skill? RocheMartin offers these helpful tips such as practicing observing how you feel, paying attention to how you behave, questioning your opinions, and taking responsibility for your feelings.

5. Collaboration

Learning to collaborate effectively is vital in today’s hybrid workplace, where most people work independently. To do this, you must first get everyone on the same page and establish a common understanding of what you’re working to accomplish. Next, don’t be afraid of over-communicating. Utilize technology to connect with team members. Most people are motivated by regular check-ins, face-to-face video, in-person chats, or quarterly lunches. Learn to be upfront with your expectations. This will build trust and a positive culture.

Click here to learn more about secure children’s check-in benefits and how it can help your organization attract new families, improve child safety, and balance workload.

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Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Sources:

https://www.rochemartin.com/blog/50-tips-improving-emotional-intelligence

https://hbr.org/topic/subject/emotional-intelligence

https://www.ala.org/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2022/08/22/the-top-10-most-in-demand-skills-for-the-next-10-years/

https://resultant.com/blog/resultant-careers/five-characteristics-of-fearless-problem-solvers