Those who stick to the guidelines are going to struggle. Machines can do that. If you want to be competitive in the workforce, you need to add value beyond what an automated system can do.

Especially if you’re still in school and thinking about studying a specific subject, it’s important to ask yourself: Will this still be needed 10 years from now?

15 Skills You Need to Thrive in the Next 10 Years

1. The Ability to Adapt and Grow Faster than the World Changes

If you start learning a skill when it becomes popular, you’re too late. The rate of change is faster than you can keep up with. You’ll face stiff competition from those already ahead of you.

Adaptability is one of the most essential skills for the next 10 years. The pace of change is accelerating, and to have in-demand skills in the future, you must adapt faster than those changes happen.

2. Transforming Information Chaos into Order

The amount of information we deal with today is overwhelming, and it’s only going to increase.

You’ll need to sift through this chaos, gather accurate information, and derive meaning from it. Those who can spot trends early, make faster decisions, and capitalize on opportunities will thrive.

3. Balancing Structure and Creativity

In a world where everything is automated, creativity and imagination will be a breath of fresh air. But creativity alone isn’t enough — it must be balanced with structure.

You need to strike the right balance to thrive in life and business.

4. Mastering Time Management and Prioritization

Time is your most valuable asset, and in the future, distractions will be greater than ever.

Master time management NOW: learn how long tasks take, find shortcuts that work for you, and know when your brain works best. Focus your energy on tasks that drive the most value.

5. The Ability to Work with Machines that Shape Industries

Resisting change is a waste of time. Industries will be shaped by AI, robotics, and automation, and the jobs that remain will require us to work with these technologies, not against them. So start learning how to work with them.

6. Being Sociable and Empathetic

We’ve seen how fast social skills can deteriorate, especially during the pandemic. In a world becoming more digitally connected, empathy and social skills will become rare — and highly sought after by both employers and customers.

7. Building Cybersecurity Literacy

As the digital world expands, so do the risks. Knowing how to protect data will be a must-have skill.

Cybersecurity literacy will help you understand and mitigate the risks of tomorrow, keeping both personal and organizational assets safe.

8. Understanding What Drives People and How to Influence Them

If you want people to follow you, you need to know what motivates them. Active listening, asking more questions, and showing genuine interest will earn you loyalty and make you a more effective communicator.

The best book I’ve ever read on this topic is called: THE LAWS OF HUMAN NATURE by Robert Green

(If you want a summary of this book, Dm me on instagram)

9. Self-Control and Emotional Regulation

With the pace of change accelerating, those who can stay calm under pressure will rise above the rest.

Learning stoicism — the ability to focus on what you can control and remain indifferent to what you can’t — will be a major differentiator in the future workforce.

10. The Ability to See and Fix Hidden Biases

AI and algorithms can be biased because they learn from humans, who are inherently biased. The ability to spot, understand, and correct biases in both machines and humans will be essential in creating more fair and equitable outcomes in business and society.

11. Thinking Like an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are proactive, resourceful, and able to take initiative. These skills will be in high demand as technology advances, creating chaos and uncertainty. Those who can pivot, innovate, and lead will stand out.

12. Deep and Independent Thinking

Machines can process information, but humans can dig deeply into its nature. You’ll need to learn to think critically and solve problems without relying solely on technology, using life experience and emotion to guide you.

13. Data Analytics and Statistics

At first this doesn’t seem very important. But trust me The future will run on data, and being able to interpret it will give you an edge.

Data analytics is the key to spotting patterns and trends, which will allow you to understand human behaviour and influence cultural shifts.

14. Leveraging Smart Systems

Smart systems are becoming a part of everyday life. Learning to integrate them into your workflow will make you more productive and free up time for the tasks you enjoy.

15. Ethics of the Digital World

As technology advances, ethical dilemmas around privacy, algorithmic bias, and automation’s impact on jobs will become more prominent. Those who can navigate these ethical waters will play a crucial role in shaping the future.

At first these 15 skills seem a bit boring. This is what everybody says and in the end no one will actually take action and learn these skills. Only the few who want to break free from the system and want to be free will eventually take action.

It’s very important to stay ahead of the curve and remain adaptable as the world continues to change.

And with that,

Cheers

Jonas