This is the second of a two-part blog post. In the first part, we looked into self-expertise skills for an individual growth. Here, we’re discussing the second set of essential skills: coworking skills for the team’s growth.
Interpersonal Communications Skills
The 4th industrial revolution will witness a new set of communication and task-centric skills, including:
- Skillful negotiation tactics which will demand active listening
- Effective communication skills to help maintain successful business relationships
- Assertiveness skills to hold a positive correlation with teams
- Insightful thinking skills to sustain unbiased thoughts and opinions
- Experiential thinking skills to remain sensitive and empathetic
- Problem-solving skills for conflict resolution
Whether it is your boss or the HR manager, every job will need you to communicate with others.
Having strong interpersonal skills will lead to effective interaction and build connections that last.
Also, it will help you navigate through difficult situations.
Leadership Skills
In a dynamic, technology-driven world, having the ability to make decisions and lead others will be critical. Here are a few unspoken expectations to meet:
- Take responsibility to learn and understand how automation can help organisations.
- Be open to using artificial intelligence, augmented reality, big data analytics, blockchain, and other new technologies.
- Have an attitude of continuous improvement, as new platforms and tools hold the power to succeed in the Industry 4.0 era.
- Develop corporate mindfulness/emotional intelligence to manage the team.
New-age leaders need to be collaborative, authentic and flexible to accommodate the shifting demands of workers and drive their professional development. Continuous learning and a strong focus on company vision will turn Industry 4.0 challenges into opportunities.
Cultural Intelligence and the Ability to Thrive in Adversity
Internet of Things, Cloud, Big data analytics, etc., are blurring the line between physical and digital. Our workspaces are becoming increasingly connected and diverse. It is truly a small world.
The key for companies with teams spread across geographies is communication. And, communication can happen effectively if all team members are aware of the various cultures and their elements. The knowledge of cultures, practices, impact, etc.. This is Cultural Intelligence.
Lack of cultural intelligence makes it difficult to understand differences in style, diction and tone of coworkers. Along with this, another skill that is essential is Emotional Intelligence (EI). According to
Daniel Goleman, an author and science journalist, there are five categories of EI which will impact hiring. And, Individuals with higher EI will be preferred over others. So, what are the five categories?
- Self-awareness of own strengths and weaknesses and it’s reactions on others
- Self-regulation of emotions, controlled speech and restraint responses
- Motivation to be resilient and optimistic along with self-driven inner-ambition
- Empathy, compassion, and understanding the emotional level of people
- People skills to build rapport with team members and gain trust, avoiding power struggles and backstabbing
Technology Skills
The 4th industrial revolution will continue to be unpredictable and bring unprecedented change to work as we know it. Employees will need focused retraining. Considering the rate at which technology is changing, new skills will have a short shelf-life. Continuous and cross-functional training will be beneficial.
Industry 4.0 will be about driven and sustained by the following:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Blockchain
- Mobile Internet
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Cloud technology
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Advanced robotics
- Biometric technology
- Genomics
- 3D printing
These fields are facing a huge skills shortage and have a massive demand for skilled workers. So, now would be a good time to learn and foray into the world of emerging technologies.
Ability to Adapt and Embrace the Change
If you have read this far, you know why there is a need to adopt new technologies. Industry 4.0 will bring continuous shifts in technology, work environment, processes, man force and market trends. Upskilling and reskilling will directly impact an individual’s and company’s growth.
Of course, change can be challenging. The following tips will help you navigate changes better in the workplace and adapt to it:
- Identify and analyse the changes required
- Research to gain fresh perspectives
- Seek help from subject matter experts
- Stay aware of the consequences of bringing about the change
- Set micro-goals to bring about the change
- Focus on what you can control, change and manage
- Communicate and stay connected with coworkers
The 4th Industrial Revolution could lead you to employ remote workers or expert independent contractors. Take advantage of recommendations, video CVs (to know a candidate’s personality), digital certificates and other new tools and platforms before making a decision.
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