Laura Stack* says in the wake of the pandemic we need to refresh our work habits for a world that is going to be very different from the one that disappeared in 2019.
In a rapidly changing environment, it’s no surprise that new buzzwords occasionally pop up on your bingo card.
One of recent examples is upskilling.
At first glance, the definition seems obvious, but it means more than you might think — especially after our shared ordeal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
These days, we all need to take the time to upskill and refresh our work habits, which the World Economic Forum predicts will raise the global Gross Domestic Product by up to $A9 trillion by 2030.
Upskilling involves taking your work to the next level, to better fit your job’s current and future needs.
It’s not good enough to just tread water. You must consistently work to advance your career, if only to keep pace with change.
The white-collar professional never really stops learning. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re advancing as you should.
Keep working on your people skills
Soft skills like emotional intelligence (EQ), willing cooperation, and tact have always had a place in our field.
As we evolve toward remote and hybrid work environments, these will be more important than ever for camaraderie and a sense of teamwork.
Hone your communications skills
Again, this skill has always been important, but has become increasingly essential as the workplace evolves.
On a conference call, and even to some extent on a video-conference, you don’t always have the social cues that let other people pick up on the nuances of your messages, and vice versa.
You certainly don’t with email or texts, so take some time to learn how to state your opinion or the facts simply and clearly, whether verbally or in writing.
This will cut down on misunderstandings, bottlenecks, and roadblocks.
Read, read, read
It’s especially important to read widely in your field, so you can keep up with new developments and make contributions to your organisation.
Also read widely in other fields, including fiction and current events.
Creative applications may help you handle a tough problem at work, and planting ideas in your subconscious mind can result in new, profitable concepts as the ideas cross-fertilise.
Keep educating yourself
Whether it’s getting a new license or certification, taking a continuing education class, or learning the latest programing language, don’t hesitate to do it.
I joined a forum and learned how to start and run a non-profit.
It may involve pushing yourself out of your comfort zone or paying for it yourself, but if it will advance your career, it can be worth the cost and effort.
Upskilling is vital unless you want your career to stall, and frankly, it mostly consists of simple things you should do anyway.
Some, like training, may be covered by your organisation, and some you can do during downtime and breaks, like keeping up with your reading.
Upskilling doesn’t have to be hard; you just need to keep at it and not get complacent.
What can you do to shake things up?
*Laura Stack is an award-winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, and authority on productivity and performance. She can be contacted at theproductivitypro.com.
This article first appeared at theproductivitypro.com.
