Upskilling is the order of the day whether it’s because your industry has been affected, you’ve been asked to leave or simply just considering a change. The new normal means that certain skills will be highly sought in the post-COVID-19 world, given that many of our usual ways of living have changed. Employees all over the world are compelled to acquire new skills – not just technical but also soft skills to make a smooth transition into the new way of working.
So what should individuals be doing to make sure they can come back to the workforce stronger?
#1. Transition to digital/virtual work
The requirement that we engage fully in the virtual realm right now is pushing people in many areas of the business to learn not only digital skills but also to improve auxiliary skills such as collaboration, creative problem-solving, and openness to new ideas.
#2. Assess your skillset and expand it
For those who gain time in the day because they now work remotely and no longer have to factor in a commute, there’s an opportunity to use the time to gain new skills. COVID-19 offers a way to round out your skills and increase your employability.
In the weeks of quarantine, you’ve likely had to bring different skills to your work: managing time to get work done and tend to others who are quarantined with you. Whatever reserves of resilience you have will likely have been tested – and you can draw on that as you move forward.
#3. Plan for the future
Planning for the future in uncertain times is tricky at best, the key is to begin thinking about where demand for work will exist and how best to prepare for those spaces while realizing that there are real uncertainties in the answers to those questions. In such times as these, it’s always good advice to bet on known trends, finding ways to connect to these trends, and the implications for where there is likely to be work makes sense.
#4. Reinventing leadership
More flexibility at work will require a change in how managers guide their teams and how CEOs lead their companies. Greater emphasis on soft skills such as empathy and trust will be needed to meet rising expectations on employee wellbeing and culture building.
#5. Companies are the most trusted to “reset normal”
One of the most essential questions, when it comes to resetting normal, is who will be primarily responsible for delivering all the above. While policy-makers and individuals will certainly play a role, employers appear to be the most trusted to usher in the new era of work.
Finally, keeping morale up and employees motivated during this time will be critical. We’re confident most people have had their fair share of ‘virtual pub quizzes’ so be creative in ways to keep the culture alive whilst being remote. Every day, new virtual experiences are popping up, why not try a virtual escape room or virtual murder mystery?