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4 Skills of the future that managers can learn today

“That’s a lot more to understand compared to the traditional interview process.”

As the working environment rapidly changes with the introduction of new technology and innovative solutions, would managers eventually be replaced totally? Definitely not – however, there are at least four skills that will be critical for managers to learn in the next 5 years as per an article on LinkedIn.

Adaptability

As Artificial Intellgince (AI) grows and more inputs and knowledge bases are amassed by it, there’s no direct prediction as to how, when, and just how much information AI would have incorporated into its system in a 5-year period. However, what managers can do is to prepare themselves to adapt as quick as possible, however drastic the change might be.

Setting an example to your team will create that much-needed ripple effect for each transition that’s bound to happen as people resist change in general. This sounds easy when you read it, but it’s actually hard to do, but not impossible to accomplish.

Recruitment

Hiring over the next 5 years will depend more on skills acquired on-the-job that can apply to different situations, rather than a college degree or the actual job experience.

“Not long ago, hiring managers looked for the presence or absence of a college degree,” said Todd Dewett, a former professor of management who now runs his own leadership management firm. “It wasn’t terribly complicated.  Today… the proliferation of educational sources is likely to increase the use of applied testing and actual work as forms of talent assessment during the screening process. That’s a lot more to understand compared to the traditional interview process.”

Diversity and Inclusion

No, this is not just about racial or gender diversity – it’s also about diversity of thought processes and backgrounds. Former LinkedIn Head of Human Resources Pat Wadors, who was both a manager of a 500-employee department herself and charged with developing great managers at LinkedIn, said that they key for this skill is to spread your search when hiring people for a specific position. Managers should begin to look beyond credentials.

Inclusion will be a factor as the best managers in the future will make sure that all employees, regardless of their origins and beliefs, believe that their opinions are valued and considered.

Managing Generational Differences

Generation Xers and the millennials – while there are countless guides out there that target millennials, a new wave has already begun as some of these millennials are moving up to become managers themselves. “Understanding values differences and differences in communication tools and methods will be vital,” Dewett said. “New open mindedness and creativity will be required to reimagine certain policies, processes and tools to accommodate the desires of the new majority.”

The takeaway

So what’s the best strategy for managers moving forward? To embrace this change as much as they can and strive to always be learning, according to the LinkedIn article. Along with being the best way to prepare themselves to handle it, it’ll also set the example to the rest of their team that this change presents a great opportunity, if handled correctly.

And, for organizations, the same can be said on a broader scale – if you can teach these skills to your managers, you’ll have a huge advantage moving forward.

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