5 skills for today to stay relevant tomorrow

Change is constant, and businesses that can’t keep up risk being left behind. To thrive, employees must continually build the right skills. In a recent webinar, Amanda Cassidy of Go1 and Eri Jancaj of Zensai shared insights on five essential skills for success. Let’s break them down.

Skill #1: Digital literacy and technical skills

Technology is everywhere, and staying current is vital. Whether you’re learning to use AI tools like ChatGPT or understanding data privacy laws, technical skills are a must. Amanda Cassidy emphasized, "the half-life of a technical skill is now just two and a half years — down from a decade a few generations ago."

Digital literacy goes beyond knowing Microsoft Excel or Google Docs. It’s about understanding how tools reshape your industry and the ethical questions they raise. For example, can your team responsibly use AI to improve customer support without compromising data security?

Skill #2: Adaptability and agility

Workplaces are changing faster than ever, leaving many employees feeling overwhelmed. "By building agility into their teams, companies can navigate even the toughest transitions," Amanda recommended.

To reduce "change fatigue," organizations can promote resilience by offering training programs that mix in-person workshops with eLearning modules. In periods of big transitions, like shifting to hybrid work, hiring change management professionals can also help.

Skill #3: Communication and collaboration

Hybrid work has made clear communication even more critical. Frontline employees especially need strong verbal, written, and non-verbal communication skills to ensure smooth teamwork, especially when collaborating remotely.

Our research shows that "40% of leaders prioritize collaboration and teamwork skills," which Amanda shared on the webinar. These skills help build workflows that not only improve productivity but also keep teams motivated. Leaders can enhance these efforts with emotional intelligence training and active listening tools.

Skill #4: Problem-solving and critical thinking

Automation is replacing repetitive tasks, leaving humans to tackle nuanced issues. Take healthcare as an example: today’s medical professionals often rely on data analytics to complement traditional skills.

Eri Jancaj of Zensai explained, "Every industry, from manufacturing to healthcare, requires employees who can analyze problems and find creative solutions." Employers benefit from investing in interdisciplinary training that prepares teams to address these modern challenges.

Skill #5: Leadership and influence

Good leadership isn’t just for managers. Every employee can develop skills to guide and inspire their peers. "Empathy and clear communication are essential in today’s workplaces, where burnout and distractions are common," Amanda pointed out.

Leadership programs should focus on fostering inclusion, resolving conflicts, and having honest conversations. These soft skills ensure managers and team members can handle challenges while keeping morale high.

Why continuous learning is non-negotiable

Eri Jancaj posed, "What happens if we invest in our people and they leave? What happens if we don’t—and they stay?"

Our answer is clear: To ensure their workforce keeps up with the changing world, businesses must invest in ongoing development.

Want to dive deeper? Check out the full webinar with Amanda and Eri, and afterwards, be sure to take a look at Go1's integration with Zensai to bring your LMS, upskilling, and compliance training all into one neat package