Future-Proofing Your Career: How Power Skills Help You Stay Relevant in an AI-Dominated Workplace

Did you know, according to a Forbes article, 44% of organizations are currently working to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into their applications and processes? This is no surprise given AI can provide many benefits, such as faster results and more efficient workflows. 

However, the growing use of AI throughout the workplace has left people concerned about losing their jobs. And this doesn’t only apply to those who work in the manufacturing sector but to those in knowledge-based jobs as well. An article from CNBC says, “Roughly half of workers in advertising & marketing (51%) and business support and logistics (46%) worried AI will soon take their job—twice the level of concern overall.” With more and more people realizing that having a degree or certificate isn’t enough, they question what they can do to stay ahead.

Continue reading to see how power skills can help learners stand apart in AI-dominated workplaces.

To start, you may have heard of soft skills, whether through TV programs, articles, or even in school. This term is often used when classifying values, like honesty. But why do we mention them, and how are they connected to power skills?

Unlike hard or technical skills, soft skills are personal traits and are also very difficult to measure. Because of their complex nature, these soft skills were often overlooked in the past. Yet in recent years, we’ve seen a change in how they are perceived in society. Many have started to recognize the value of these skills and how calling them “soft” undermines them. This led to its recent rebranding into “power skills.”

Power skills, according to Josh Bersin, an influential thought leader, are essential in becoming a good team member, leader, or employee. This is because they’re more innate and human-centric.

Nowadays, employers are looking for something different with the growth of technology. You might be asking yourself: How can power skills help me keep up with technology in the workplace?

With more technology being implemented in the workplace and technical hard skills becoming a hard requirement, power skills will play a crucial role in professional success. This is because power skills are useful across a variety of industries and positions. By prioritizing these skills, organizations can expect an increase in employee engagement, retention, productivity, and collaboration. 

Now, let’s talk about some of this decade’s most sought-after power skills.

Communication

One key power skill that will remain relevant in the years to come is communication. Communication encompasses one’s writing, verbal, and listening abilities. It also allows a person to connect and engage with their audience—which is an ability AI cannot replicate. 

Despite the rise in AI chatbots and tools, none of them can truly connect with people. This ability is valuable to organizations, which cater to and are made of people. One Forbes article states, “Your capacity to engage in a fruitful conversation that connects with others is a prerequisite for effective communication in the workplace.” 

Effective communication helps one prevent misunderstandings, create deeper bonds, and ensure instructions are understood properly. Building this skill helps you set yourself apart from others as a potential leader and as an essential part of your organization. 

Empathy and active listening

Empathy and active listening allow people to understand how others feel and what they are going through. Organizations focus on hiring people with these skills because they contribute to better human outcomes—which cannot be done by AI. How? People with these skills, especially leaders, become effective models for other staff and help build a positive work environment in the long run.

Analytical thinking and problem-solving

Analytical thinking and problem-solving are some of the in-demand power skills today. These skills go hand-in-hand as they allow a person to break down a complex problem and find unique ways to resolve it. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), “Analytical thinking is considered a core skill by more companies than any other skill and constitutes, on average, 9% of the core skills reported by companies” due to its value in the workforce.

This is no surprise. Analytical thinking and problem-solving are traits that allow leaders to make the best decisions for the organization and their people, which will become all the more valuable as technology is implemented more and more.

Curiosity and lifelong learning

Curiosity and lifelong learning are valuable skills that cause people to ask questions and seek out new information, skills, and knowledge. This lets them stay up-to-date with the latest trends, according to Doris Peter. Hence, developing these skills helps one stay relevant in a tech-dominated workplace and the current job market.

Creative thinking

What makes creativity—or the ability to think outside the box—valuable to employers is that it drives innovation. Innovation is essential in every new solution, endeavor, and project. Although AI is fast in terms of production, it is limited in the sense that it relies on patterns and predetermined patterns. Hence, organizations continue to invest in hiring and training talent with this power skill. 

Resilience and flexibility

Organizations look for people with resilience and flexibility as these traits are needed when navigating teams in high-stress and challenging environments. In one research article, Gagan Deep states, “Resilience and adaptability are essential attributes for effective leadership. Leaders may better navigate change, overcome problems, and lead their businesses to success by cultivating and fostering these attributes.” As industries and companies are constantly changing, especially with employers figuring out how to best use technology in their processes, it’s all the more important to be adaptable and resilient. 

At the end of the day, developing power skills can help learners stand out from their peers and technology. As we expect more and more learners to finish their education with technical skills to thrive, these power skills will play an important role in helping one stand out amongst the competition and thrive in their fields. Therefore, organizations should consider nurturing these qualities in learners rather than lose them in the face of automation and technology. 

Learning these skills is easier said than done as many may need formal training to develop these skills, especially as leaders. But with options in the market today and some lacking adequate opportunities, what training method is the best to choose?

One way is through language training because it allows learners to practice these skills firsthand through a holistic experience. Through language training, you get to communicate with people and practice active listening when trying to learn the language. Moreover, undergoing language training is a sign that you are committed to continuous learning. 

With these benefits, consider working with a leading provider like goFLUENT.

As a trusted partner of over 2,000 organizations worldwide, goFLUENT continues to blend technology, content, and human interaction in its language training and assessment solutions.  With this strategy, goFLUENT aims to help organizations thrive and build a culture of continuous learning all to ensure everyone has an equal voice. 

What about you? Is your organization ready to “power up” with these skills?