I don’t think it’s about teambuilding and leadership any more. Today, don’t we need a whole raft of tools to effectively deal with the dynamic and unpredictable forces that are shaping our world?

We are living in times of unprecedented change, complexity and competition. Advances in technology, globalization, economic uncertainty the shifting workplace, and changing social dynamics are presenting us all with challenges and opportunities never before experienced. Traditional soft skills, such as being an effective team player or a good leader are no longer enough.

So I’ve been thinking about what these skills might be and have come up with these:

Adaptability: It’s more important than ever to be flexible and agile, with plenty of resourcefulness and creativity to help you respond effectively to challenges and grab new opportunities.

Resilience: In these dynamic conditions, you’re going to fall on your face a lot. You’ll need to bounce back in record time, learn from your experience, and attack the next challenge with equal boldness.

Optimism: Get used to being disappointed and rejected! Know how to develop and keep a positive attitude no matter what life throws at you. But even that is not enough – you need to generate and radiate good will and positive energy to maintain a competitive edge. You need to be the most positive person you know.

Integrity: As the speed of life has accelerated, so has the number of people who are neglecting to do the things that are expected of them, including being late for appointments, failing to return calls and emails, and not completing projects on time. Trust, values, principles and honesty are the name of the game now as is authenticity.

Critical thinking: Your attitude needs to be more open than ever. To challenge assumptions, look at things from different angles, think outside the box, collaborate with others, clarify goals and find solutions. Problem-solving skills have never been so crucial.

Pro-activity: Employers are looking for self-starters, not someone who needs to have their hands held. You may have to reinvent yourself a number of times throughout your life and work. Being proactive means thinking and acting ahead and using foresight.

Empathy: Why is empathy important? Because without it you will never have strong listening skills or the ability to respect others and really value your relationships. Everything you do is more visible than ever. Managing and nurturing all your relationships will be a key skill and competence.

Interested to know what other practitioners think