Being skilled correctly for a job is critically important. As skills evolve, it is important that employees develop their skills to align with the needs of the job. Here, we will look at the key skills that every employee needs in 2023 and how leaders and managers can spot these, as well as teach new skills to workers.
Here, Dominic Fitch, Head of Creative Change at Impact International, has put together his thoughts on how businesses can implement strategies to their business to ensure staff are able to continue their development.
Time management
Having strong time management is something that every employee should strive towards, as it remains a key skill that employers will look for. Time management has long been an important aspect to an employee’s skillset, but is perhaps more so with the emergence of remote working in recent years.
Employers must be able to trust staff to get on with their work and be productive without having to watch over their shoulder. Though remote working is commonplace and often beneficial, it only works if staff are as organised and time efficient as if they were working in a traditional office environment.
Time management is important to hit deadlines, and generally to meet the overall needs and expectations of the company.
As well as this, many companies are operating with smaller workforces, and it is imperative that staff have their day organised, so they are working as efficiently and productively as possible.
Should time management be an issue, it can have implications and it is important that leaders and managers provide support. Executive coaching can assist with managers working with team members on issues such as this.
Decision making
Some people find decision making a nerve-racking proposition. However, employers value people who can show decisiveness and make those tough decisions. Sometimes, difficult choices need to be made, and it can take a certain type of individual to get this done effectively.
This skill sets a person out in a business as an effective worker and someone who gets things done. These are key traits to possess, particularly when looking to progress and work up a business.
Collaboration
Employers very much do look however at an applicant’s collaboration skills, and how they will implement this throughout the business.
It is crucial that in times of remote working, colleagues still display willingness to collaborate with others across the business. Utilising platforms including Teams and Zoom to do so can build the ethos of an office environment, with remote staff. Managers can help build skills and increase the amount of collaboration within the workplace by holding regular company catch-ups and encouraging team lunches and activities.
Effective collaboration can increase productivity across an organisation, and by thinking about this through projects can showcase to managers that you are playing an important role across the team.
Adaptability
In a changing world, it is important that businesses and employees are able to adapt to the changes taking place around them. As we saw during the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns, businesses had to be agile and change – and so did members of staff.
As businesses faced periods of furlough, working remotely and in smaller teams, people needed to change with what was happening. This included getting to grips with technology to have meetings rather than face to face communication – which is still an important skill to have.
Though the world has settled down to a new sense of normality, there are still changes that people must adapt to. This can be technological, processes and business practices.
By showing a willingness to adapt, employees can stand out in very crowded markets as they strive for success.
Continuous learning
If you want to progress in your career, you must keep learning and developing yourself within the business.
Nowadays there are many new processes to learn, so many new technologies introduced across businesses, and a need for constant personal development.
It is important not to rest on your laurels and it is important also for managers and leaders to coach, nurture and develop skills, as well as offer regular development meetings and encourage training in areas where employees feel they are lacking.
Employees showing initiative and taking up these offers are likely to stand out in the organisation moving forward.
PA Life Club was founded nearly 11 years ago to provide PAs and EAs a networking platform for peer to peer connections and skills development. Club also brings the corporate bookers and suppliers together through venue and supplier showcase events.
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