The 10 Power Skills Everyone Should Develop This Year

In today’s dynamic professional landscape, staying ahead of the curve is essential for success. With emerging technologies like artificial intelligence reshaping the demands of the workforce, it’s become clear that mastering hard skills is no longer enough to stay ahead. 

Power skills are the new currency of the modern workforce and everyone—no matter what industry or role they’re in—should be prepared.

While technical expertise is still important, employers today are placing a greater emphasis on adaptable, problem-solving individuals who can communicate effectively and work collaboratively. That’s where power skills come into play as they enable companies to be adaptive and responsive in the face of rapid change.

So, what exactly are power skills, and why are they important?

Also known as soft skills, power skills encompass intangible and uniquely human traits such as written and oral communication, public speaking, and critical thinking. These skills have become increasingly crucial in the era of Generative AI, highlighting the importance of adaptability and problem-solving capabilities. 

According to Skillsoft’s 2023 Lean into Learning Report, employers are prioritizing power skills across organizations. In fact, the report showed that the top 20 digital badges earned by learners last year were focused on the art of power skills. Furthermore, a survey from Salary.com has power skills consistently ranking among the most in-demand skills that organizations seek from employees.

Essential for helping with individual career growth, power skills are transferable across industries, making it easier for professionals to alter career paths or progress up the career ladder at an accelerated rate.  

Let’s take a look at the most important power skills you can develop this year.

1. Effective Communication

Communication is always the key to business success. In this era of hybrid and remote work, employees must be able to communicate across a multitude of channels and platforms. Clear and concise communication is a timeless skill that every employee needs to consistently nurture. It is not only essential to build strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, but also to aid in collaboration and project success across industries, regardless of what role one has in a company. 

Effective communication involves the ability to clearly and compellingly convey messages, and more importantly, it involves the ability to understand the needs of others and respond to feedback. From new managers giving their first performance review, to sales leaders looking to pitch a new product, every employee needs to learn how to communicate with their peers, direct reports, and leadership team to achieve business results.

2. Problem Solving

In the age of AI at work, both leaders and employees are expected to meet new challenges and solve new problems more often than ever. 

The speed with which problems are acknowledged and solved can have a profound impact on a team’s ability to function successfully. That’s why having strong individuals who are ready and willing to address problems is critical. Employees who are adept at problem-solving can effectively navigate complex business challenges and support organizational focus and continued success, making them important members of any team. 

3. Leadership

A good leader has the ability to motivate and inspire their team to reach new heights. They are able to set a clear vision for the future, communicate it effectively, and establish a culture of accountability and excellence. Above all, an exceptional leader possesses the ability to guide their team towards achieving a common goal.

Leadership skills are crucial for professional success, as they are highly sought after by employers across various industries and job roles. In today’s world of teamwork and collaboration, leadership is an essential quality that distinguishes top-performing individuals from the rest. 

4. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a major component of strategy and decision-making. To master critical thinking, one must carefully gather and analyze facts and use their observations to make informed judgments.

The power of critical thinking lies in its ability to equip individuals with the tools to tackle complex problems with a strategic and analytical mindset. By taking responsibility for their decisions, and being self-aware and accountable, critical thinkers are able to navigate the challenges of the workforce with confidence and ease.

5. Emotional Intelligence

Employees with high emotional intelligence are adept at empathizing, building strong relationships, effectively managing teams, and dealing with workplace stress. They also excel in understanding and responding to their own and others’ emotions which enhances decision-making and conflict resolution. 

Some ways that leaders can help improve their team’s emotional intelligence are by promoting work-life balance, implementing emotional wellness programs, modeling healthy mental wellness practices, and providing mental health training for all employees.  

6. Strategic Thinking

Strategy skills—in which you analyze a situation and set goals systematically—are an important quality for anyone in the professional landscape. Employees and leaders who can develop and maintain a strategic vision over time can support effective resource allocation, anticipate potential changes, develop scenarios and responses, and flexibly adjust to different types of internal and external challenges. 

Strategic thinking skills also enhance problem-solving abilities, boost capacity to manage change, and encourage innovative thinking. 

7. Teamwork 

Teamwork goes beyond just working with others—it requires communication, collaboration, and a shared commitment to work towards a common goal.

In professional settings, good teamwork can help foster creativity and innovation by integrating different viewpoints and leveraging each member’s strengths to drive exceptional outcomes. Effective teamwork is critical in achieving organizational goals and working as part of a collaborative team can also enhance job satisfaction, contributing to a positive work environment.

8. Time Management

Excelling in time management centers around the ability to set priorities, organize tasks, and allot time across different activities. 

Good time management skills can help individuals avoid the stress and anxiety that comes from procrastination or missed deadlines, resulting in a healthier relationship with professional tasks. Furthermore, those who can effectively manage their time are more likely to be seen as efficient and reliable, helping them to make a positive impression and stand out in the workplace.

9. Adaptability & Agility 

It’s impossible to avoid unexpected challenges. That’s why adaptability and agility are essential for both people and organizations.

By embracing adaptability, teams can respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances, allowing them to remain versatile and composed under pressure. Moreover, it can help individuals and teams stay motivated, engaged, and committed to achieving their goals while also helping them quickly bounce back from challenges.

10. Resilience

In a professional environment, employees must be able to forge ahead when faced with challenges. 

Resilience is a mindset that allows people to see failure and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Rather than quitting or blaming external factors, resilience can empower people to view failures and setbacks with new eyes, critically analyzing and taking control of difficult situations. Armed with newfound knowledge, they get back up again, stronger and more confident than before.

In order to thrive amidst change, fostering a culture of continuous growth is imperative. Power skills are an essential part of thriving in today’s workforce and they can help professionals thrive in their roles and advance in their careers.

By prioritizing growth through reskilling and upskilling, and committing to developing power skills through training, individuals and organizations can set themselves apart while staying agile and confident in the new world of work. 

To help build these crucial skills, Skillsoft’s CASIY Conversational AI Simulator is designed to recreate realistic work scenarios that can help professionals improve on the most valued power skills.

Start enhancing your power skills with Skillsoft CAISY™ today.