Future Skills
How to Stay Ahead of Future Technologies!
Written by Maria Palamara LPC, NCC, CCC, November 2024
I left the tech industry in 2020 to focus on counseling full time. At that time, nobody knew what ChatGPT was, but it was clear that artificial intelligence (AI) was a tidal wave that was on its way, with very little ethical guidance to steer it, like most game changing technologies over the last century. In many ways, it reminds me of the legend of John Henry, who gave his life trying to prove that a man could beat a machine, the steam drill. I did worry about this, but worry isn’t a very productive emotion if there’s really nothing you can do about it - noticing, adapting and adjusting to the change is the only real way to thrive as the world constantly changes around you. In my career counseling role, I have been looking for ways to help my clients prepare for an uncertain future, and in doing so came across an excellent book by Bernard Marr, Future Skills: The 20 Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World. I have used ChatGPT for suggestions on various topics and have been amazed by its ability to capture simple and concise ways to answer questions and communicate ideas. To me, it feels a little like cheating, and there are still many ethical questions that need to be reckoned with. I had been procrastinating writing my own blog post summarizing Marr’s book, so I decided to give it a whirl. Full confession, credit for the book summary that follows goes to ChatGPT and any sources that it drew upon to create it. I highly recommend reading the whole book, and hope my recommendation somehow makes up for any copyright concerns!
The book is a guide to essential skills people need to thrive in our rapidly changing, technology-driven world. Marr explores how digital advancements like AI, big data, and automation are reshaping the workplace, education, and society. The book identifies and explains 20 key skills that individuals should develop to remain relevant and competitive in the future. Here’s a summary of the core ideas and skills from the book.
Core Themes of the Book
Marr’s central message is that the future of work and life will be very different from today. Many jobs will be automated, and some may disappear entirely. However, there will also be new opportunities and roles. To succeed, people need to adapt to these changes by developing a mix of technical, social, and emotional skills. Marr categorizes these skills into four broad areas:
Core Skills – Essential skills for everyone to succeed in the digital world.
Personal Skills – Skills related to self-awareness and self-management.
Interpersonal Skills – Skills for effective communication and teamwork.
Technical Skills – Digital and technological skills to keep up with advancements.
The 20 Key Skills for the Future
1. Digital Literacy: Digital literacy is about understanding and using digital tools, software, and devices effectively. This includes knowing how to operate basic tech, use the internet safely, and adapt to new digital platforms as they emerge.
2. Data Literacy: Data literacy involves understanding, interpreting, and working with data. In the digital world, data is everywhere, and knowing how to make sense of it and use it for decision-making is valuable.
3. Technical Skills: This skill set includes knowledge in fields like programming, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Basic coding and understanding AI’s impact on industries will be beneficial, even for those outside the tech sector.
4. Critical Thinking: With the rise of fake news and misinformation, critical thinking helps individuals assess information and make informed decisions. It includes logical reasoning, problem-solving, and the ability to question assumptions.
5. Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is about recognizing and managing one’s emotions and understanding the emotions of others. In a world where robots may handle technical tasks, human emotions and empathy become a unique strength.
6. Creativity: Creativity is the ability to think outside the box, generate new ideas, and innovate. As automation handles routine tasks, creativity will be in high demand for jobs requiring fresh perspectives and new approaches.
7. Collaboration: Collaboration means working well with others toward a common goal. In the future, jobs will involve more teamwork, often across digital platforms and with people from various backgrounds and expertise levels.
8. Adaptability and Flexibility: With technology changing constantly, adaptability is key. It means being open to new experiences, willing to learn, and able to adjust when things don’t go as planned.
9. Leadership: Leadership skills will remain crucial. This includes motivating, guiding, and supporting others, even in non-managerial roles. In the future, leaders will need to inspire trust, communicate well, and be transparent.
10. Cultural Intelligence and Diversity Awareness: As workplaces become more global, understanding and respecting cultural differences will be vital. Cultural intelligence involves being aware of one’s biases and adapting communication and behavior to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
11. Financial Literacy: Understanding money management, investing, and budgeting is essential. Financial literacy will help individuals make smarter financial decisions in a gig economy and unpredictable job market.
12. Digital Security and Privacy Awareness: As more personal information is shared online, protecting digital security and privacy is essential. This skill involves knowing how to protect oneself from cyber threats and data breaches.
13. Networking: Building connections is critical for career growth. Networking involves creating and maintaining professional relationships that could provide support, information, and job opportunities.
14. Resilience and Stress Management: As change accelerates, stress and setbacks are likely to increase. Building resilience means learning to bounce back from challenges and manage stress through healthy coping mechanisms.
15. Time Management and Organization: Time management and organization skills help people prioritize tasks and stay productive. With digital tools to aid productivity, this skill ensures one can stay focused in a fast-paced world.
16. Customer Orientation: Customer orientation is about understanding the needs and wants of customers or clients. Whether you’re in sales, tech, or management, being customer-focused is crucial as customer expectations continue to rise.
17. Entrepreneurial Thinking: Thinking like an entrepreneur means seeing opportunities, taking initiative, and being proactive. Even in non-business roles, this mindset helps people innovate and add value to their work.
18. Lifelong Learning: Lifelong learning is the commitment to continuously improve and learn new skills. With knowledge evolving fast, ongoing education is necessary to keep up with the latest advancements.
19. Ethics and Integrity: As technology grows more powerful, ethical questions about its use are more common. Skills in ethics and integrity involve understanding right from wrong and making choices that reflect good moral values.
20. Global Mindset: A global mindset involves understanding how local actions affect the global community. This skill is essential for addressing worldwide issues like climate change, inequality, and resource scarcity.
Key Takeaways
In Future Skills, Marr emphasizes that no one will be immune to the changes in the digital world. While technical skills are important, soft skills like emotional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability will be crucial as well. Marr encourages readers to develop a growth mindset—being willing to learn, adapt, and embrace change as a constant.
These skills will not only help individuals succeed at work but will also be valuable in daily life. People who develop these competencies will likely be better prepared to navigate life’s challenges, adapt to new situations, and pursue meaningful careers. Marr argues that while technology can be intimidating, it also opens many doors for those who are prepared.
In a world that’s changing faster than ever, Future Skills provides a practical roadmap to prepare for that future. By focusing on these 20 skills, people can build a foundation to succeed and remain relevant in a digital world. Marr's message is clear: the future belongs to those who are ready to learn, adapt, and grow.
