Staying Relevant In A Rapid Changing World

Staying Relevant In A Rapid Changing World

The pace of change is fierce and constant. A leader, a manager and even an employee has to develop a serious passion for change in order to remain current and relevant over the lifespan of their personal career.

As simple as this may seem at first, it requires a mindset that is focused on development. Random and haphazard development is not sufficient to keep you up-to-date. The development should be specific and purposeful.

Training Authorities around the world are pioneers in the art and science of remaining current. They need to keep their courses current and up to date with happenings in the market place. They need to predict and be a step ahead of “new” movements as they must design and implement training ahead of the “band-wagon parade.”

In their attempt to be fresh and inspiring, Training Authorities have identified eight skills to guide them in their endeavours. These eight critical cross-field skills are important and relevant across all fields, industries and occupations.

The eight skills form the pillars for development and should be the cornerstone of competence for those seeking to change their world. These skills include:

1.      Use of Science and Technology

Most people react the same way to this skill: “Science! What? “

Technology we understand, with new products and gadgets hitting the market every few days, it is important to stay in touch with the new releases in order to remain functional.

This is the key to being tech-savvy: familiarise yourself with the latest releases. Each new release has a little tweak or a small new innovation, and learning its uses and advantages as it is introduced is simple. However, if one misses a few too many new innovations, the step to be “current” may be too big to make in a single step. This results in people feeling “useless” and inadequate when dealing with tech gadgets.

The thought of being “scientific” sends shudders down the majority of backs, although it shouldn’t really. Science is the study of facts in a measurable and repeatable manner in order to gain a practical understanding. With this definition in mind, note how business functions such as filing, recruitment, performance management and even training take on a scientific “look.” Read the full "Use Science and Technology" Article by clicking here

The Scientific Approach is more relevant in life and business than we realise, and needs to be embraced, along with using technology, as a skill needing conscious development.

2.      Collect, Organise, Analyse and Critically Evaluate Information

Information and its assimilation is big business. If you are in business, if you work, and even if you are a student, you will constantly deal with this skill. Efficiently collecting, organising, analysing and critically evaluating information can mean the difference from starting a new trend in your industry or being a tail-end follower.

Analysing information talks to the skill and ability to take data and turn it into a relatable and meaningful story.

Critical Evaluation speaks to the ability to make decision on the basis of the information provided. Decision making is a crucial skill, not only for leaders and business, but in the personal lives of every person on the planet.

3.      Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness

Polarisation seems to be the current trend in the world at the moment. This is a dangerous attitude in the “global village” of our modern world.

Our workplaces, neighbourhoods and public areas are filled with people from various culture groups and backgrounds. We are exposed to all sorts of age groups, religious persuasions and life attitudes each and every minute.

The skill of Cultural Awareness (Read Full Article on Cultural Awareness here) is not about throwing open your arms in unconditional welcome to one and all, nor is it about melting your own culture and beliefs with those of your neighbours. Rather it is about having enough sense as not to “lose your rag” because someone is different, but enquiring about the others point of view and sharing of your own in an open and empathetic manner in order to be productive and efficient in the situation.

This skill doesn’t require you to be an Anthropologist, but enables you to welcome, develop, motivate and reward people from all walks of life in an effective and efficient way.

4.      Ability to Identify and Solve Problems

The best problem solvers in the work place are often the highest paid in the company. This is a skill that should be held by everyone, but has become rare and extremely valuable.

Problem solving (Read article on the skilll here) is a basic process flow or sequence of steps to be followed and generic options abound on the internet. Even though this information is readily available, it seems the skill is missing. Problem solving, like every other skill, requires practice and development. Failure is inevitable, and is probably what makes this skill so unappealing. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process. Complacency is the opposite of success.

5.      Effective Communication

We communicate, all the time. Why then is effective communication so illusive?

As with problem solving, communication is a skill that follows a process, examples of which are also available on the internet. Most people are aware of the most common option: Sender creates a message for the Receiver whom responds with feedback and this process continues repeatedly until the Receiver has the same message as intended by the Sender.

Twenty years of training has taught me that knowledge does not guarantee success when it comes to the skill of communication. This is a skill likened to a plant that needs time, attention and dedication to make it flourish. Communication needs to be fed and nurtured in order for it to mature.

6.      Team Work

Teams don’t evolve, nor do they just happen. The success of an organisation relies heavily on high performance teams. High achieving teams have been carefully developed under the guidance of a knowledgeable leader that is skilled in three areas; team development, product or service strategy and people. Here are some articles on the subject: Team Work

7.      Understand the World as a Set of Related Systems

Every action has a consequence that ripples out further than we intended, and even further that we could possibly imagine. Every event that plays out has a ripple effect, whether the event is intended by man or initiated by nature.

Understanding that the whole world is connected in a set of related systems will raise the sense of responsibility of what we do personally, or as a business. Hopefully, this will encourage people to take ownership for their actions and the impact they have on the environment. The intent of this skill is to make people consciously aware of the far reaching impact of their actions.

8.      Manage and Organise Oneself

Too many people live out their lives unintentionally. Mastering the first seven skills will enable you to mater the eighth skill which is designed to help people live by intent. Self development should not be random or ad hoc, but rather a constant reality in our daily To Do List.

There are many differences in the daily routines of unsuccessful people and those that achieve greatness, all rooted in the basic drive for the achievers to constantly work on and develop their own potential.

Track record triumphs over potential every time. Successful people are not content to allow their potential to just simmer, rather they put in the time and they make the effort to create a noticeable and reputable track record.

These skills remain relevant regardless of your personal level of development. They are dynamic skills constantly evolving and form the foundation on which the unique skill set of our own careers or occupations should be built to equip you as a subject matter expert.

Remaining current in these eight skills as well as being current in the skills of our own occupations will easily put you on the cutting edge of innovation in your field, making you a leader.