Succeeding in the future workplace
If knowledge is outdated before we graduate, what skills do we need for succeeding in the workplace of tomorrow? The opinion of Jean Cooper, futurist industrial psychologist at TomorrowToday.biz, is that the ingredients for success are those characteristics that help us function in a rapidly changing environment, where relationships will be the most valuable resource.
In a recent literature review the top ingredients for future success do not include any subject-specific knowledge or skills. Why? Because in a world where knowledge doubles every 18 months, what we study today will be outdated before we graduate. And in a world where technologies change faster than ever before, the skills we acquire today might very well be obsolete tomorrow.
Cooper goes on to say that we would therefore do well to familiarise ourselves with some of the most highly regarded characteristics for future success, which he believes are:
1. A passion for learning
Except for the fact that continuous changes in the work environment will require people to continuously develop new skills or enhance and adapt their old ones, the mere fact of the explosion of knowledge also requires hard work and dedication from individuals who want to be in demand. The individual that has a passion for learning and a natural curiosity will have the edge. This continuous learning, however, does not necessarily mean continuous formal education. It also does not refer to the rote memorisation of new facts and figures. It refers to the drive and ability to make sense out of facts.
The individual of the future will need to gain insights from experiences and trends and develop visionary abilities. And except for having a passion for her/his own learning, the individual of the future also needs to have a passion for the growth and development of the team. Future individuals need to communicate their insights, ideas and visions to their teams or networks in order to reap maximum benefits from continuous learning.
2. Confidence
Knowledgeable, confident workers are essential for the lean and meaningful company of the future. The individual of the future needs to be self-reliant. This does not refer to individualism versus interdependence amongst team members, but to an inner security that springs from the individual's mastery of him/herself. Individuals need to know themselves, their strengths, weaknesses and goals.
3. Motivation
A high degree of internal motivation improves one's chances of thriving in the new world of work. Specific traits associated with motivation, are tenacity, self-discipline, focus and energy. One's motivation should also provide the drive and momentum necessary to pull others along as well. In an uncertain environment with continuous challenges, the self-discipline to endure will be imperative. And one's motivation needs to continuously inspire and pro-actively engage with the challenges of life.
4. A passion for change
In order to excel in the future world of work, we need to be passionate about change. It is not about being able to cope with change; it is about embracing and creating change. One also needs to know where to source security from, as it is no longer going to come from one's job.
5. Kindness/compassion
An interesting attribute necessary for functioning in the workplace of the future, is kindness. Some scholars refer to compassion or tenderness. When thinking about this attribute, words like charitability, humility, light heartedness and appreciation are also used in the literature. In a world where business and work will depend more and more on relationships and the way one manages those relationships, one begins to understand the value of these "softer" attributes.
6. Integrity
Integrity, authenticity, honesty and consistency are all crucial for managing networks and relationships. Once a person's integrity is in doubt, it will be almost impossible to do business within one's existing network again. Integrity means people know where they stand with an individual. It means one is consistent in what one promises and delivers and also refers to being reliable and trustworthy. All are crucial for making any relationship work.
Closely related to integrity, is ethics - knowing the right thing to do. Scholars have argued that it will be impossible to survive the twenty-first century with the ethics of the twentieth. With the movement of women into executive positions this may be overcome as they are naturally more focused on relationships, and less on executive greed.
Competitive edge ain't "degreeable"
What exactly we study doesn't matter nearly as much as who we are. As an academic, Cooper is not against completing tertiary studies, but this alone is not enough. Degrees won't give us competitive edge - ability to engage in good relationships within an uncertain world will.
