How will you face disruption and flourish in this brave new world of A.I.?
Richard Baldwin, one of the world’s leading globalization experts, argues that the inhuman speed of this transformation threatens to overwhelm our capacity to adapt. He offers three-part advice in his book The Globotics Upheaval: Globalization, Robotics, and the Future of Work (Oxford 2019): (1) avoid competing with A.I. and R.I. (remote intelligence) in the sense that you can’t compete in terms of what they do best, e.g. processing information; (2) build skills in things that only humans can do, in person; and (3) “realize that humanity is an edge not a handicap.”
We will always need heart and soul human connections in the workplace. Dov Seidman, C.E.O. of LRN in a New York Times article says, “Our highest self-conception needs to be redefined from “I think, therefore I am” to “I care, therefore I am; I hope, therefore I am; I imagine, therefore I am. I am ethical, therefore I am. I have a purpose, therefore I am. I pause and reflect, therefore I am.”
Marty Neumeier, branding expert and author of Metaskills: Five Talents for the Robotic Age, says these five meta-skills—our highly human abilities—are the best bulwark against business or career obsolescence:
- Feeling: empathy & intuition
- Seeing: seeing how the parts fit the whole picture (a.k.a. systems thinking)
- Dreaming: applied imagination, to think of something new
- Making: creativity, design, prototyping and testing
- Learning: learning how to learn (the opposable thumb of all other Metaskills)
Where are you positioned on the robot curve, and how can you optimize your business or career?
Neumeier’s Robot Curve illustrated above, is a simple model of innovation that shows how new processes, businesses, and technologies continuously destroy old ones as they create new opportunities for wealth. Neumeier says there are two ways you can optimize: 1) By keeping your skills or products moving toward the top of the curve, or 2) by designing or managing skills or products at the bottom of the curve.
Make the shift from collecting dots to connecting dots
While the diagram above is aimed at educators, it applies to leadership and business as well. (The green column corresponds with artistic and design thinking capabilities.)
As the educators at Marzano Research beautifully illustrate, we need to shift from collecting dots, to connecting dots. While “collecting dots” is important, leaders must also learn to “connect dots.” Connecting dots has to do with seeing patterns before they are obvious and making connections between disparate data to generate new insights and novel ideas that lead to innovation. This capability requires a mind-shift and skill-shifts from industrial-age thinking to the creation of knowledgeable, creative and adaptable life-long learners.
Top 10 skills we need to embrace to be future-proof
To anticipate the challenges and opportunities both companies and employees will face in the near future, the World Economic Forum has pinpointed 10 future workspace skills that will be in high demand by 2025. Interestingly they are in demand now.
- Analytical thinking and innovation
- Active learning and learning strategies
- Complex problem-solving
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Creativity, originality and initiative
- Leadership and social influence
- Technology use, monitoring and control
- Technology design and programming
- Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility
- Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation
Let’s explore these top ten skills through a human-centric lens, and the critical role of emotional intelligence, creativity, and collaboration in the age of AI:
1. Analytical Thinking and Innovation: while analyzing data is crucial, we also need to understand human needs, desires, and pain points. to create innovations that resonate and have a positive impact. This requires actively listening, observing, and empathizing with different user groups. Imagine designing a healthcare app that not only delivers medical insights but also considers patients’ anxieties and emotional well-being.
2. Active Learning and Learning Strategies: The pace of change demands continuous learning, but it’s not just about acquiring new skills – it’s about adapting your learning approach. Gone are the days of passive lectures. Embrace platforms like online communities, hackathons, and co-creation workshops to learn collaboratively and tackle real-world challenges.
3. Complex Problem-Solving: AI can handle routine tasks, but complex problems requiring creativity and critical thinking remain firmly in human territory. Think of tackling climate change or designing inclusive education systems. Here, collaboration is key. Diverse teams with different perspectives can approach problems from unique angles, leading to more impactful solutions.
4. Critical Thinking and Analysis: Evaluating information objectively, identifying biases, and forming sound judgments are essential in a world filled with data. But don’t forget the human touch! Develop your skepticism and curiosity, question assumptions, and seek diverse viewpoints before drawing conclusions. Remember, critical thinking is about asking the right questions, not just finding the right answers.
5. Creativity, Originality, and Initiative: AI excels at precision and speed, but humans hold the edge in generating original ideas and approaching problems creatively. This calls for imagination, divergent thinking, and a willingness to experiment with unconventional ideas.
6. Leadership and Social Influence: Effective communication, collaboration, and the ability to inspire others are more important than ever. But in an AI-powered world, leadership goes beyond giving orders. It’s about building trust, fostering empathy, and empowering diverse teams to achieve shared goals. Think of leaders who inspire innovation and collaboration, not just command and control.
Ethical Considerations: As AI plays a greater role in our lives, ethical considerations like privacy, bias, inclusion and fairness become paramount. It’s important to develop innovations that are responsible, inclusive, and benefit society as a whole.
7. Technology Use, Monitoring, and Control: Understanding technology is essential, but remember, it’s a tool, not the master. Develop your technical fluency to leverage technology effectively, but don’t lose sight of the human element. Be mindful of ethical considerations like privacy and bias, and ensure technology serves humanity, not the other way around.
8. Technology Design and Programming: While not required for everyone, understanding the basics of programming and AI design can give you a significant advantage in certain fields. However, even without coding skills, you can contribute! Participate in discussions about the ethical implications of AI and advocate for technology that respects human values.
9. Resilience, Stress Tolerance, and Flexibility: Change is inevitable, and the future of work will demand adaptability and emotional intelligence. Develop your coping mechanisms and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Remember, the ability to bounce back from setbacks and thrive in uncertain environments is a valuable asset in any industry.
10. Reasoning, Problem-Solving, and Ideation: This goes beyond logic puzzles and brain teasers. It’s about harnessing your cognitive abilities to break down complex problems, reason logically, and think of unconventional solutions. Don’t be afraid to experiment, explore different approaches, and challenge the status quo. Remember, sometimes the most innovative solutions come from unexpected places.
Collaboration and Co-creation: Involving end-users in the innovation process, through co-creation workshops or design thinking exercises, can lead to more relevant and user-friendly solutions. This leverages the collective creativity and diverse perspectives of different stakeholders. Encourage cross-functional collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork within your organization. Provide employees with opportunities to collaborate on projects and initiatives across departments and functions.
Which skills should your employees prioritize in the Age of AI?
Embracing these skills will not only enable you and your employees to survive but to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. Remember, while technology is a powerful tool, it’s ultimately humans who shape its impact on our world. Encourage your workforce to leverage their unique abilities, collaborate with others, and strive to create a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around. By prioritizing the development of human-centric skills alongside embracing technological advancements, your organization can lead the way in creating an inclusive, innovative, and prosperous future for all.
References:
The top 10 job skills of 2025, World Economic Forum Oct 21, 2020
Baldwin, Richard. The Globotics Upheaval: Globalization, Robotics, and the Future of Work (Oxford 2019)
Neumeier, Marty. Metaskills: Five Talents for the Robotic Age. (New Riders 2012)
