The Skills Needed for Success in 2021 and Beyond

To say the past year was a challenge would be an understatement. The global health crisis upended many organizations and had employers and employees alike questioning if their skills would continue to align with a fundamentally changed landscape. As the work world continues to evolve, the need for certain skills has become more critical than ever. The first is data science literacy. Organizations across industries more often are turning to data to increase productivity, improve returns on investment, and better understand marketplace trends. No matter your role, an understanding of data science will serve you well. Competency in crisis leadership is also increasingly important. Few were prepared for the challenges of the pandemic, and it shone a spotlight on organizational vulnerabilities. The ability to be resilient and focused in the face of uncertainty is valued higher now than ever before. Finally, an understanding of the global economy and your organization’s place in it is becoming more important. Pandemics, taxes, trade wars, social unrest, and politics affect your organization in some way. It’s important to have a grasp on how these elements might impact you to better position yourself for what the future holds.