10 Critical Skills for Successful Organizations

Covid-19 disrupted a lot in our lives, in particular the way we work. During the two-and-a-bit years of chaos, we saw strides in technological advancements and the normalization of remote work across more industries than previously thought possible.

In 2021, there were 10.9 million job vacancies but only 8.7 million available professionals. The skills gap should be a huge wake-up call to all employers. Certain skills are critical for the future success of your organization. In this article, we’re going to discuss 10 critical skills and competencies you should be mindful of.

1. Digital Competency

Everyone requires digital skills nowadays. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in or whether it’s an entry-level or frontline role. This can include the internet, computers, software, SEO, apps, and data security. Earlier this year, the US National Skills Coalition found that 92% of jobs now require digital skills.

Unfortunately, much of the labor force lacks such skills. As an employer, it’s worth investing in developing your current employees’ digital competency. Upskill your workers and offer regular training to ensure they can keep up with the tech advancements you implement in your company. Digital competency is one of the most critical skills for any successful organization.

2. Data Skills

Data and analytics are important for most businesses. You want your employees to be able to analyze data and know what to do with this information. As algorithms have more and more control over consumer behavior, this is definitely a skill you want your employees to have. Data literacy training can teach your workers to find meaning in data and communicate this with others. They’ll be able to explain the numbers they see rather than just blindly following.

3. Critical Thinking

We are seeing a lot of information online every day. Recent AI advancements such as Chat GPT have demonstrated how an image or piece of information can easily be fabricated but still seem legitimate. Critical thinking is a skill that encourages taking the initiative to think outside the box. For the future success of your organization, you want employees who can make thoughtful, research-based decisions.

4. Leadership

People with great leadership skills are the ones encouraging innovation in a team. They inspire others to perform well and lead by example. As hybrid and remote work become more common, collaboration is so important.

Any employer concerned with future success should value this skill in their team members. McKinsey explains, “90 percent of CEOs are already planning to increase investment in leadership development because they see it as the single most important human-capital issue their organizations face.”

5. Interpersonal Skills

Emotional intelligence is vital in any relationship. The best employees for a team are those who can listen, show empathy, communicate clearly, and respect others. For the future success of your organization, it’s vital to create a diverse and equitable workplace. Employees with interpersonal skills understand the importance of fostering an inclusive environment like this. They also just make the workplace much more pleasant.

6. Flexibility

The way we work is changing and diversifying. We now have part-time, full-time, freelance, and gig work. Work weeks are shifting to hybrid and remote. Technology is advancing rapidly. You want employees who can adapt and be resilient to such changes. Employers can help their team develop better flexibility by forcing multitasking and broadening job responsibilities.

7. Self-Management

Another critical skill for the future success of your organization is self-management. You want employees who know how to hold themselves accountable. They can prioritize tasks, maintain their responsibilities, and meet deadlines without reminders. This relieves management and leadership, leaving more time and energy for getting quality work done for the business and improving results.

8. Time Management

Related to the skill of self-management is the ability to manage your time. Procrastination and a lack of direction are a recipe for underperformance. Employees with good time management skills work smarter, not harder. They feel less stressed and are less likely to burn out.

Asana conducted a survey and found that 70% of respondents experienced burnout in the past year. This is a productivity killer and obviously not something you want your employees to endure. As the workforce shifts and new practices and technologies come into the picture, future-proofing your organization involves employees who know how to manage their time.

9. Creativity

In today’s workforce, we’re palming a lot of responsibilities off to technology. Future success depends on employees who have an imagination beyond the basics. They offer creative solutions to issues your business may run into. This can help your company stand out from competitors. Employers can encourage this skill by mixing teams up and offering opportunities for lateral moves in the company. Employees can learn from each other, broadening their perspectives.

10. Curiosity

Curious people are constantly learning. This skill is sometimes overlooked but holds great potential for future success. Employees who are constantly asking the whys, hows, and whats are more likely to grow with your organization. These employees will also be more likely to bring new ideas to the table as curiosity fuels learning and skill-building. Employers should encourage this skill and help employees develop skills if they’re willing to.

Take Home Message

A Gartner study found that building critical skills and competencies was a priority for 68% of HR leaders. We’ve discussed 10 skills every employer should prioritize in their employees. Most importantly, these skills will improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and retention rates – each contributing to the future success of your organization.