The world of work is changing rapidly, and so are the skills required to succeed in it. While technical skills are still important, they are not enough to future-proof your career. You also need to develop non-technical skills that can help you adapt, collaborate, and innovate in the digital age.
What are non-technical skills?
Non-technical skills are the abilities and attributes that are not specific to a particular domain, industry, or technology. They are often referred to as soft skills, transferable skills, or 21st century skills. They include:
- Analytical thinking: The ability to collect, process, and interpret data, and use it to make informed decisions and solve problems.
- Creative thinking: The ability to generate new and original ideas, and apply them to different contexts and situations.
- Self-efficacy skills: The ability to manage yourself, your emotions, and your actions, and cope with challenges and changes. They include resilience, flexibility, agility, motivation, self-awareness, and curiosity.
- Social skills: The ability to communicate, interact, and cooperate with others, and influence them positively. They include leadership, teamwork, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
Why are non-technical skills important?
Non-technical skills are important for several reasons:
- They complement technical skills: Technical skills are necessary, but not sufficient, to perform well in your job. You also need non-technical skills to apply your technical knowledge effectively, and to work with others who may have different backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
- They are in high demand: Employers are looking for workers who have both technical and non-technical skills, as they are essential for innovation, productivity, and customer satisfaction. According to the World Economic Forum, analytical thinking, creative thinking, and self-efficacy skills are among the top 10 skills for 2023. Similarly, a survey by LinkedIn found that the most in-demand skills in 2023 are creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
- They are hard to automate: Technology is advancing rapidly, and many tasks that require technical skills can be automated or outsourced. However, non-technical skills are more difficult to replicate by machines, as they involve human qualities such as intuition, imagination, and emotion. Therefore, non-technical skills can give you a competitive edge and make you more valuable in the job market.
How to develop non-technical skills?
Non-technical skills can be learned and improved, just like technical skills. Here are some tips to help you develop them:
- Seek feedback: Feedback is essential for learning and improvement. Ask for feedback from your managers, colleagues, mentors, or coaches on your non-technical skills, and use it to identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
- Set goals: Goals help you focus on what you want to achieve and how to get there. Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals for your non-technical skills, and track your progress and results.
- Learn from others: Others can be a great source of inspiration and guidance for your non-technical skills. Observe and emulate people who excel at the skills you want to develop, and seek their advice and support. You can also join online or offline communities, networks, or groups that share your interests and goals.
- Practice: Practice makes perfect. The more you practice your non-technical skills, the more confident and proficient you will become. Look for opportunities to apply your skills in your work, projects, hobbies, or volunteer activities. You can also use online platforms, tools, or courses to practice and enhance your skills.
Non-technical skills are not optional, but essential, for your career success in the digital age. By developing them, you can not only future-proof your career, but also enrich your personal and professional life.
