The nature of our modern working world has fundamentally changed. And it will keep changing. Yes, many of our systems at work are still based on the factory model but this is shifting to a more collaborative, flat structure that places a heavy emphasis on individual competence and relevance.
In a 2019 article featured in Forbes the following 10 skills were identified as being essential to develop in order to thrive in this new economy:
- Creativity
- Emotional Intelligence
- Critical Thinking
- Growth Mindset
- Judgment and Decision making
- Interpersonal & Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Diversity and cultural intelligence
- Technology skills
- Embracing change
This can be quite an intimidating list, especially if there are a number of items on this list that you believe simply do not characterise you or you have no experience in.
Except this is not quite true. All of the above, believe it or not, are natural human abilities. If the above list is about a job, then yes, it can be intimidating. But if it's about finding a space in which you get paid to express these things in YOUR way, at the right time and with the right people, then this list takes on a new meaning and there is very little to fear.
In other words the real change that you are seeing in the world is really being driven by a deep desire for people to be able to express their true selves in the work they do, rather than have their jobs and titles define them.
You now have choice and once you understand that you can actually create a life that is deeply meaningful within the context of making money, this new world of work becomes very exciting.
This is why it is so important to spend time on understanding what this would look like for you. And more importantly, not to fear that journey.
