Over the last two years during the pandemic, we saw tremendous changes in the workplace. We found ourselves taking video calls instead of meeting in person, and with the lines between work and home blurring, we struggled to juggle our different roles, managing a household and the family while also ensuring we deliver what is required at work.
As many of us in the world start to return to our offices, the workplace as we have known it will change once more. This will not be the last iteration of “the office” as we know it, and with an ever-changing environment, it’s also important that we too keep up with these changes.
We talked to Wingspan Consulting founder and visionary Cristina Castaneda to get her take on the three qualities we all need to imbibe to thrive in the workplace of the future:
Adaptability. The ability to be flexible and easily adjust to changing environments and demands is an essential quality to have now and in the future. By 2022, the skills required to perform most roles will change, and new technologies taking over our admin tasks mean we have more time to create and innovate. This shift in required workplace skills also means we need to quickly learn new skills. Analytical thinking and skills that require us to be technologically competent will always be in demand. “Human” skills such as creativity, critical thinking, originality, and emotional intelligence will also be valuable. Learning to be adaptable to whatever is in demand will help us rise to the top.
Having a thirst for learning. Along with adaptability, we also need to be lifelong learners, Cristina said. Never stop studying. To borrow one of Albert Einstein’s popular line, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” Get additional degrees and certification if you can afford them. Sign up for seminars and training. Online learning has been amplified because of the pandemic, and it’s been a pleasure witnessing the democratization of learning through open platforms like EDX and Coursera. Many experts are excited to share their knowledge with the rest of the online world. This is truly inspirational. With collective force, we can help upskill and reskill the global workforce and better prepare the future workforce. It’s no longer a matter of having the financial resources to pursue learning. You just need to be creative and know where to get new knowledge.
Why the need to keep learning? Techniques, skills, and technology can easily become obsolete in 5 to 10 years, and what may have been essential when you were earning your degree may no longer be relevant when you are already in the workforce.
Empathy. We have always known empathy was a good soft skill to have, but new research shows empathy is a force for innovation and a good tool for retention. Empathy is the ability to connect with others and understand their thoughts and emotions and demonstrate that understanding with intention and care. According to a study by Catalyst, leaders who demonstrated this skill helped their people become innovative. About 86% of those who said their leaders were more empathetic reported being more successful in navigating the demands of their work and life. Dare we call it a “superpower”?
Truly, an attitude of flexibility and curiosity, and the ability to empathize will take us far in the workplace of the future.