Joinsupermoms

A good leader is great at diagnosing and resolving problems. A great leader teaches you how to diagnose and resolve your own problems.

One major problem always on the table is that of paying the bills.

This year, economists at the World Economic Forum (WEF) have surveyed and are predicting reduced economic growth and increased uncertainty particularly in the largest economies.

The slowdown of some is due to deepening geopolitical tensions and tight financial conditions. There is however a glimmer of growth linked to the impact of the double-edged disruption of AI.

Read the full report here.

There’s likely not much you and I can do about geopolitical strife and tight financing, but economists did predict prospects for growth in one area: Artificial Intelligence (AI).

There is much ado about AI. So, what can be done about artificial intelligence?

The answer is in the skills that you are able to bring to the problem-solving table.

There are skills that I consider core prerequisites applying to all sectors. You need to develop them if you have not already. They will apply this year and beyond, and there is no leadership without them.

They are often considered soft skills, but they may be taught and technically measured as with hard skills depending on your profession. Machines are also starting to learn “soft” or interpersonal skills, so you should definitely have these skills as your foundation.

Soft skills include communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. They are timeless skills that remain crucial in any work setting.

Now that you know where to begin, I’d like to address adding value to machine-available capacity with your human touch. In 2024, you’ll need to add value to those existing skills, even specialising in a few.

The secret to conquering AI and keeping yourself relevant is specialisation.

The skills most valuable to the global economy would be those that align with technological advancements, smoothly adapt to changes in the job market, and that are quick to respond to evolving societal needs.

If you’d like to add value to your existing skills and conquer any fear of artificial intelligence, here are some skills that you could add to your existing arsenal:

Add a specialisation to Digital Literacy. As technology continues to advance, being digitally literate is crucial. So, if you are not already comfortable with your digital devices, start learning to include them in your daily life now.

As soon as you are comfortable with finding your way around your device, increase your proficiency in using digital tools and understand cybersecurity, by trying a short course in Cybersecurity.  

You might even find that you love it and want to pursue this option as a career. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, there will be a growing need for cybersecurity professionals. Skills in securing systems, networks, and data are highly sought after.

Additionally, learn to navigate online platforms and prepare yourself for digital sales and marketing. There is not a physical store or business without a website or online platform for promoting its products.

Digital sales and marketing require digital marketing skills, including social media marketing, content creation, and knowledge of e-commerce. These are crucial for any business looking to reach their audience effectively. Your skills in this area would be invaluable.

If cybersecurity or digital sales and marketing are not really your thing, or you know the basics but would rather try your hands on something else, another skill in high demand for this year is Coding and Programming.

Coding skills have been and remain in high demand for the past decade. Learning programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and others can open up opportunities in software development, data science, and other technology-related fields.

If you’re building a blog, website or other digital tool, Data Analysis and Interpretation might be of interest to you. If you’re not, with data analysis skills, you could be of assistance to someone who is.

With the abundance of data available, the ability to analyse and derive insights from data is a valuable skill. This includes knowledge of data analytics tools and techniques.

Embrace Remote Collaboration Tools: These were especially popular during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and we have started to see a slowdown in the use of some of them, but the trend of remote work is likely to continue.

Learn or improve your proficiency in the use of tools like Zoom, Slack, and project management platforms.

I found a Project management specialisation very useful in getting ahead in my career and was amazed at how everyday remote collaboration tools could be used to drive communication, network and complete smaller projects.

Remote collaboration tools are essential for effective collaboration in virtual environments particularly as hybrid work is increasingly the norm.

Finally, since AI has been such a disruptor, how about considering Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning? Understanding AI and machine learning concepts is increasingly important.

AI and machine learning technologies are being integrated into various industries, from healthcare to finance and arts. So, if you have skills related to healthcare, mental health, or overall well-being, explore ways that AI can make your skill more accessible to your clients, easing their experience.

I’m not much of a techy myself, and to be honest I do not possess beyond a basic knowledge of the skills listed above. I’m a very artsy person, a lover of languages, specialising in conference interpreting.

There is, however, no skillset that has not been affected by AI and language interpreters have had to adapt and continuously learn in this ever-changing environment.

That is why when you subscribe to our premium package, we offer fully online training in conference interpreting.

The specific skills you focus on should depend on your interests, career goals, and your industry of concern.

When you discover a problem that needs solving – including the possible overthrow of your beloved profession by AI – kick in with critical thinking about how to use this challenge to your advantage and aim to solve that problem.

As technology automates routine tasks, your ability to think critically and solve complex problems will be the difference between becoming a leader and getting phased out.

You always have to stay adaptable, and you always have to keep learning. This is the secret of good leadership.