A realistic guide to skills for the future of work

It’s completely normal to feel stressed about the future of work. You might be looking at headlines about AI, a shaky economy and the rising cost of living, and wondering, Where do I fit into it all?

While technology will keep changing, the most valuable skills are the ones that make us human; the ones that can’t be automated and can be built up and transferred between any job you do.

So, instead of trying to predict the future, focus on building and strengthening the skills you already use every day. Here are a few skills that will always be in demand, and some practical ways to work on developing them. 

Thinking for yourself

Critical thinking is about looking at information, questioning it and forming your own judgements about it. Now that AI can write essays and create realistic videos, being able to think critically is more important than ever. 

How to practise it:

The internet is your training ground. Next time you see a viral post or a surprising headline, take a second to ask yourself:

• Who is sharing this, and what might their motive be?

• Does this post make me feel a strong emotion, like anger or excitement, and could that be intentional?

• What actual evidence is supporting the claim that’s being made?

Learning to separate fact from fiction online is a skill that will help you in every area of your life.

Creative problem solving

This skill is about looking at a challenge and connecting ideas in new ways to find a solution. But being great at creative problem solving is also about knowing when to use this skill. Because it’s called ‘creative problem solving’, many people only use it for creative tasks such as drawing, writing or cooking. 

But often the best time to use creative thinking to solve a problem is precisely when others would never think to. For example:

• You’re trying to stand out in a competitive environment.

• It seems like there’s no way to win or you’re in a lose–lose scenario. At these times, it can help to think ‘outside the box’ for ways to avoid the scenario altogether.

• A task you’re assigned by someone at work seems pointless. Using creative thinking to identify other ways you can meet that person’s needs could save both of you a lot of hassle!

How to practise it:

You’re already doing this all the time. Maybe it’s figuring out how to fix a buggy app on your phone, planning a trip with friends when you’re all on a tight budget, or even finding the perfect gift for someone who’s hard to buy for. To build this skill, you could:

• play strategy games like Settlers of Catan

• try a new hobby that involves making something from scratch, like cooking, coding or making music

• brainstorm three completely different ways to approach a problem, even if the solution seems obvious. 

Working well with others

Whether it’s a part-time job, a group assignment or a sports team, most things in life involve working with other people. Being able to communicate clearly, listen to different perspectives and collaborate in order to achieve a common goal is a huge strength.

How to practise it:

Any group activity is a chance to practise this skill. It could be planning a group trip, running a social club or even collaborating with people online in a multiplayer game. Focus on:

• making sure everyone has a chance to speak

• listening to understand, not just to reply

• finding a compromise when people disagree.

Understanding yourself

Emotional intelligence is about being aware of your own feelings and being able to empathise with others. This means you can understand where other people are coming from, even if you don’t agree with them. It’s the foundation for good teamwork, clear communication and strong relationships.

How to practise it:

It starts with understanding yourself. Try checking in with yourself a few times a day. Ask: ‘What am I feeling right now?’ and just name the emotion without judging yourself. 

Noticing your own feelings makes it easier to recognise them in others. When you find yourself getting upset or frustrated, take a moment before you react. This small pause can help you to respond more thoughtfully.

Being curious and loving learning for its own sake

Technology and jobs will always change, but your ability to learn new things is a skill that will never go out of date. Curiosity is the engine for this. It’s the desire to know how things work, to ask questions and to explore new ideas, just for the sake of it.

How to practise it:

Follow what interests you. Let yourself fall down a YouTube rabbit hole about the solar system or a podcast series on Ancient Greece. Here are some other things:

• Try to learn one new thing a week – it could be a recipe, a guitar chord or a new feature in an app you use.

• When someone mentions something you don’t understand, make a note to look it up later.

• If you want to do something really well, research the approaches used by the people who are best at it and learn how they get better at it over time.

Self-awareness (knowing your strengths)

This isn’t about being perfect; it's about understanding what you can bring to the table. Knowing your strengths, weaknesses, values and what motivates you is a quiet form of confidence. It helps you to find work you enjoy and to contribute in a way that feels authentic to you.

How to practise it:

Reflection is key. Think about the last group project you did. What part did you enjoy the most? Were you the organiser, the ideas person, the one who made sure everyone was okay, or the one who polished the final result?

Knowing this helps you to understand the roles where you’ll shine. You can also learn more about setting goals that align with what’s important to you.

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