The incessant pace of technology has birthed powerful tools for self-education and enrichment. At the same time, the perilous pace of progress renders some skillsets outmoded. In a recent Oxford study entitled <a href="https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Future of Employment</a>, researchers found that 47% of jobs are at risk of becoming computerized, including formerly secure careers in transportation, administration, and law.
Securing employment will become an exceedingly arduous task as we move into the future. As automation looms before us, so does economic uncertainty. In order to weather both, a wide array of skills must be attained. Luckily, there are some skills you can acquire to steel yourself against the ups and downs of a changing society. There are evergreen skills that once learned, may shield you from robot and recession alike.
Here are four skills that may help you brace yourself for the next wave of automation:
<ol>
<li> Social intelligence</li>
</ol>
Over the past few decades, automation has claimed <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/03/30/were-so-unprepared-for-the-robot-apocalypse/?utm_term=.7b0f5668ae4b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">millions of jobs</a>. Advancements in artificial intelligence could claim many more, as machines gain the ability to perform a broader range of complex tasks. While we have endowed machines with the ability to perform a variety of tasks, we have been unsuccessful in passing down human perceptiveness. What composes human perception and social intuition is somewhat uncertain to us, and therefore, impossible for us to mimic in software.
Smart software is far from being able to replicate human emotion or interact with genuine warmth, caring, or consideration. In other words, <a href="https://hbr.org/2017/02/the-rise-of-ai-makes-emotional-intelligence-more-important" target="_blank" rel="noopener">robots can’t relate</a>. Therefore, to stay relevant in one’s profession in the coming decade, hone your persuasive speaking skills, speaking candidly with civility, empathy, and grace.
<ol start="2">
<li> Creative thinking</li>
</ol>
Creativity is at the core of innovation, and innovation is always in demand. Creative thinking is the process by which we connect seemingly disparate information and synthesize solutions. This sounds simple enough, but it remains a distinctly human activity. Machines are able to produce reports and predictions; these predictions aren’t of much use without humans creating plans and strategies based on them. Collaboration and creativity are intricate tasks that <a href="https://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2017/05/24/cios-hold-out-hope-for-humans-as-automation-powers-more-it-processes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">humans will still perform better than robots</a> in the near future.
<ol start="3">
<li> Software development</li>
</ol>
Instead of fighting automation, help usher it in. Machine and <a href="https://www.toptal.com/machine-learning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deep learning software applications</a> are booming and, at the moment, the complex software that powers advanced machines needs to be created, tweaked, and maintained by humans. Assist in building the next application for creating smart machines, utilizing open courseware and learning everything you can about the latest in data analysis and artificial intelligence.
<ol start="4">
<li> Adaptability</li>
</ol>
Recessions, depressions, and waves of automations can all be survived if you are devoted to maximizing your adaptability. There’s no clear trajectory of the global economy or artificial intelligence, therefore the most useful skill to acquire is the ability to use the environment to your advantage, whatever that environment may be.
In order to adapt, you must be willing to be open to any and all things, pivoting when necessary. When a recession hits, you must search for the options available to you and pursue them as vigorously as you possibly can. The same can be said for automation. If your job is in danger of being absorbed by automation, you will do well to respond quickly to the threat.
<a href="http://www.forbesafrica.com/technology/2017/06/13/create-jobs-age-robots-low-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE: How To Create Jobs In The Age Of Robots And Low Growth</a>
Advancing in one’s career requires constant learning. In the digital age, keeping your skills sharp is both incredibly easy and unnervingly difficult. Social intelligence and creative problem solving are still very much in demand, and almost impossible, at the present moment for artificial intelligence to mimic. Skills that complement development in artificial intelligence, such as software engineering and machine learning, should continue to have a healthy job market as these jobs will help usher in the next wave of automation. More valuable than any of these skills is adaptability. Responding to change in a logical manner, using all the tools available to you, will ensure the highest chance of success, regardless of economic conditions.

Four Skills to Make Yourself Robot and Recession-Proof

Charm is that intangible quality which draws attraction and creates a connection.
Legendary French actress Sarah Bernhardt defined it as: “You must have charm to reach the pinnacle. It is made of everything and of nothing, the striving will, the look, the walk, the proportions of the body, the sound of the voice, the ease of the gestures. It is not at all necessary to be handsome or to be pretty; all that is needful is charm.”
It’s a key ingredient for success in a social setting, but what about the business environment?
Inner Life Skills (ILS) Master Coach Asanda Gcoyi from South African capital Pretoria says charm is extremely important in business.
Having graduated cum laude with an MBA from China’s Peking University, Gcoyi has worked in Beijing and has coached in intercultural settings in various areas including global leadership development, entrepreneur development and life coaching.
“Some people are really just not charming and they make absolutely no effort to be. There’s almost a lack of awareness about how important this is, especially in business.
“Charming people possess social skills that enable them to go out there and generate business on behalf of their companies. Whether it’s a budgetary request or pitching a new project, charm goes a long way in ensuring your proposal is listened to and even considered,” says Gcoyi.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-30172 alignleft" src="http://www.forbesafrica.com/app/uploads/2017/05/Asanda-Gcoyi-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Asanda-Gcoyi-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Asanda-Gcoyi-300x451.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Asanda-Gcoyi-600x903.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Asanda-Gcoyi-681x1024.jpg 681w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Asanda-Gcoyi.jpg 680w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
She highlights that having charm is far removed from being a “people pleaser”.
“It’s rather the ability to get your way because people can relate to you and your personality, mannerisms and the way you carry yourself inspires confidence. Charm is by nature verbal and non-verbal. Verbal in that you say what matters and non-verbal in that your gestures are synchronized with your words.”
While some professionals may be natural charmers, there are techniques to cultivate a charming manner according to Gcoyi:
Open ended questions, such as “what do you think about….” This invites thought and a considered response which goes a long way in creating more authentic connections with others.
Be a good listener – you can do this in two ways: either by backtracking, which means you use the same words that the other party uses, i.e, pick a word they have used and include it when it’s your turn to speak. The second way is to mirror and match the other party through tone and language (verbal and body). Gestures such as nods need to be appropriate and tasteful and not as if you are rushing a person through what they are saying, or being dismissive.
Eye contact conveys self-assurance as well as saying you care about the communication taking place and you are giving it your undivided attention. It’s important to note that this applies in a Western setting as direct eye contact in other cultures, including some Asian and African, may read it as intimidating or even arrogance or disrespect.
Smile and laugh – a smile is the surest way to win favor in most interactions, but can never be enough in itself. A winning smile is usually accompanied by open and inviting hand gestures for example.
Genuine pleasure – when you are authentic, you speak with others from a place that is not pretentious. Open mindedness tends to lead to a genuine interest in others.
Durban-based Arthie Moore, CEO of Celebrating Humanity International and Co-Founder of the Transformational Leadership Institute, says a charming person “has the type of personality that adjusts to be inclusive of everyone, anywhere and at any time”.
She says John Maxwell’s book, The 5 Levels of Leadership highlights that leadership is about character.
“According to Maxwell, to become a person of influence, one has to have integrity, values and a strong character. To have charm adds to that mix and allows one a journey of continuous growth as a charismatic leader.
“Charming people have the ability to adjust their tone, body language, eye contact and way of interacting to make sure that others feel comfortable in their space. At the same time, they are thoughtful and have meaningful conversations. They do not undermine or overpower with their own opinions. In order to succeed, we need to adjust continually to become more effective. A charming leader who is effective is guaranteed to succeed in leading and inspiring their entire teams. Success just follows on as a natural progression,” says Moore.

Tag: Skills

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Four Skills to Make Yourself Robot and Recession-Proof

Turn On The Charm