Power skills are essential elements in today’s professional environment. They’re more than just an add-on to your CV – they can be the deciding factor in landing that dream job or being successful in securing that promotion.
In this article, we’ll help you identify skill gaps by exploring what power skills are, their types, and steps to develop them to enhance modern workplace productivity.
What are Power Skills?
Fundamentally, soft skills have been given a new name – power skills. But this change in terminology holds a lot of weight. Historically, soft skills were considered secondary and less crucial than more tangible, complex skills.
We’ve always needed these soft skills, but the pandemic has highlighted their profound importance.
While there’s no rigid definition of what constitutes a power skill, it’s fairly straightforward to differentiate between power skills and hard skills.
- Think of power skills as the keys to culture, people, and relationships. They’re about empathy, communication, teamwork, and adaptability.
- On the other hand, hard skills correlate more with structural aspects such as roles within a team, organisational charts, and strategic planning. They’re the technical, tangible skills you bring to the table.
A Forbes article last year said it best: “As more and more job activities become automated, soft skills, which cannot yet be replicated by machines, have become more important.” As a result, “soft skills — such as empathy, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, adaptability, integrity, optimism, self-motivation, grit, and resilience — have become crucial success factors.”
As we reflect on the disruption caused by the pandemic, it’s clear that the importance of these power skills is not new. Rather, it’s something we’ve realised to a full extent during these challenging times. Our ability to adapt, empathise, and remain resilient in the face of adversity has proven to be essential skills more than ever.
So, while hard skills may get your foot in the door, your power skills will keep you in the room. They’re not just skills – they’re your power to succeed in the modern world.
What are the Top Essential Power Skills
Now, let’s learn more about the core powerskills that can enhance your professional journey. These essential skills are the traits and abilities that can boost your career, irrespective of your field or role.
1. Problem solving
When you face a challenge, your ability to find a solution is key. Problem solving (also referred to as ‘analytical skills’) is about thinking creatively and logically to overcome hurdles.
2. Decision-making
Every day, we make decisions. Some are minor; others can impact our career path. Strong decision-making power skill can make all the difference.
3. Judgment
Good judgement involves evaluating situations, self awareness, weighing pros and cons, and making sound decisions. It’s a vital power skill in any field to get professional success.
4. Communication
Communication skills are not just about speaking well. Good communication skill involves clear writing, body language, and understanding others’ viewpoints. You need excellent interpersonal and communication skills to deal with clients, managers, stakeholders and many others within the organisation.
5. Self-management
Managing time, setting goals, and staying organised are all parts of self-management. It’s about being independent and efficient.
6. Collaboration
Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Collaboration means working well with seniors, managers, and others, embracing diversity, and valuing everyone’s input.
7. Value-clarification
This means understanding your personal and professional values. It guides your decisions and helps you align with your organisation’s goals.
8. Active Listening
Listening is more than hearing. Active listening is about understanding, responding, and remembering what’s been said.
9. Leadership
Leadership isn’t just for managers. It involves inspiring others, making decisions, and taking responsibility.
10. Productivity
Being productive isn’t just about working hard. It’s about working smart, prioritising tasks, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
11. Personal Development
Continuous learning and growth are essential. Personal development involves identifying areas for improvement and taking steps to grow.
12. Strategic Thinking
Strategic thinking involves looking at the bigger picture. It means you plan for the future and anticipate possible challenging situations.
13. Emotional Intelligence
Understanding your emotions and those of others is a key power skill. Emotional intelligence fosters empathy and the ability to communicate effectively.
14. Integrity
Being honest, trustworthy, and adhering to moral principles. Integrity is crucial for building strong professional relationships.
15. Empathy
Empathy is about understanding and sharing others’ feelings. It helps build strong, positive relationships at work.
16. Workforce Agility
Workforce agility is about adapting to constant change, learning new skills, and embracing new ways of working.
17. Values Clarification
Values clarification is all about understanding what’s important to you and your organisation. Values clarification guides decisions and actions.
18. Professional Skills
These are the skills specific to your job or industry. They complement your power skills, helping you excel in your role.
19. Cross-cultural Competency
Cross-cultural competency involves understanding, interacting and communicating effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. It’s a vital power skill in our increasingly globalized world.
20. Cognitive Flexibility
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between different concepts or adapt to new perspectives. It’s a crucial power skill that fosters innovation and effective problem-solving.
21. Assertiveness
Assertiveness is the skill of confidently expressing your views and needs while respecting others. It contributes to clear communication and mutual respect in the workplace.
22. Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution involves understanding and resolving disagreements effectively. It’s a critical power skill that fosters a positive and collaborative work environment.
Why Are PowerSkills Important in the Workplace?
Power skills, with their focus on human interaction and personal growth, are key to fostering a productive, harmonious, and innovative work environment. There are several other reasons why you need to have power skills.
1. Enhance Teamwork and Collaboration
Power skills like communication, empathy, and active listening foster a collaborative culture. They help individuals work together effectively to create stronger team cohesion and better results.
2. Improve Problem-solving
When individuals possess power skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, and judgement, they are better equipped to solve complex problems. These skills encourage a proactive approach and can significantly improve outcomes.
3. Boost Innovation and Creativity
With power skills like strategic thinking and creativity, employees can think outside the box. This leads to new ideas and innovative solutions, which are crucial for business growth and competitive advantage.
4. Drive Employee Engagement and Satisfaction
PowerSkills contribute to a positive work environment, driving employee engagement and satisfaction. Skills like self-management and personal development help employees feel valued and fulfilled. It enhances their work experience and overall job satisfaction.
How to Develop and Enhance Power Skills?
While you may naturally possess certain power skills, developing and enhancing these skills can truly set you apart in the modern workplace. Here’s a roadmap on how to nurture your power skills and make the most of them.
1. Identify the power skills you want to develop
Start by figuring out which power skills you want to focus on. Consider your current job requirements, career aspirations, and personal interests. A salesperson might prioritise communication and empathy, while a project manager might focus on leadership and decision-making.
2. Take courses or attend training sessions
Once you’ve identified your focus areas, look for opportunities to learn. This could be through online skills courses, training sessions, or webinars. Cloud assess, for example, offers workplace skills training and assessment platform to help individuals develop their workplace skills and power skills. These programmes often provide theoretical knowledge and practical exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned.
3. Practise, practise, and practise
As the old saying goes, practise makes perfect. Start applying your newly learned power skills in the workplace. From enhancing your communication in team meetings to using your improved problem-solving skills to handle challenges, find opportunities to practise.
4. Seek feedback
Feedback is a crucial part of learning. It helps you understand your strengths and identify areas for improvement. Don’t hesitate to ask colleagues, managers, or mentors for feedback on your progress. It might be a bit confronting, but it’s an essential step in your development journey.
5. Read books and articles
There’s a wealth of knowledge available in books and online articles. Look for content related to your chosen power skills. This can provide new perspectives, techniques, and insights that you can apply professionally.
6. Attend conferences and workshops
Conferences and workshops are fantastic opportunities to learn from experts, network with like-minded professionals, and gain new insights. They can often provide a deeper understanding of specific power skills and showcase the latest trends and approaches in the field.
Developing power skills is not a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process that requires persistence and commitment. Keep exploring, learning, and practising, and you’ll see the impact on your professional growth and personal life.
Future of Work: PowerSkills and the Evolving Job Market
In our ever-evolving job market, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that power skills hold the key to the future. Let’s explore how.
PowerSkills in the Era of Automation and AI
With automation and AI becoming increasingly prevalent, many technical tasks are being automated. However, important skills such as communication, empathy, and leadership – which machines cannot replicate – are in higher demand than ever.
Growing Importance of PowerSkills in Hybrid and Remote Work Environments
The rise of hybrid and remote work environments has emphasised the importance of most important skills. Effective communication, adaptability, and self-management are vital in these flexible work arrangements. They foster collaboration, efficiency, and employee engagement, even when management and leadership teams are physically apart.
Need for Reskilling and Upskilling with Changing Trends
As the job market continues to evolve, so does the need for reskilling and upskilling. PowerSkills play a key role in this. They’re transferrable skills that can be applied in various roles and industries, making them crucial in a rapidly changing job market.
According to the Future of Jobs Report, employers anticipate a significant churn in the job market due to environmental, technological, and economic trends. They predict that 23% of jobs will change in the next five years. This statistic emphasises the importance of adaptability and continuous learning – key power skills.
As jobs evolve, so should our skills. And in this changing landscape, power skills are not just desirable – they’re essential. The future is about what we can do technically and how we interact, adapt, and grow. That’s the power of power skills.
