What skills are the most valued in today’s professional landscape?

Staying ahead in your career means mastering the skills that will define the future.

According to the World Economic Forum's 2023 Future of Jobs report, self-mastery-related skills are taking centre stage, comprising one-third of the skills on the rise. Self mastery has now overtaken technological expertise and service-related skills. This has come about as a result of a range of external factors, including the pandemic and economic uncertainty. In these conditions businesses have needed to remain flexible and agile – and need staff who can do the same.

The era of quiet quitting that has followed the pandemic has also alerted businesses to workers who are stagnating in a role and underperforming. It is not always possible to reignite the motivation of these people, so they are actively seeking to measure the risk of this during the hiring process – they are actively looking for people with self awareness, integrity, a strong work ethic, motivation and drive to grow and succeed.

Understanding the Shift

The types of skills in demand is evolving. The WEF report highlights a significant shift towards self-mastery skills, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of personal development, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in the workplace.

So, what exactly are these self-mastery skills?

How can you develop them?

How can you identify them and hire them?

The Core Self-Mastery Skills

1. Curiosity & Lifelong Learning:

Employers seek individuals who actively contribute to innovation and growth. Continuous learning aligns with the evolving nature of industries, ensuring professionals stay relevant and adaptable, not just pertinent in obvious sectors such as technology, but across all sectors as we continue to  transform and automate the way we work.

This looks like:

• Actively seeking out new information and perspectives
• Engaging in ongoing education, whether through formal courses, workshops, or self-directed learning
• Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning
• Staying open-minded and adapting to evolving knowledge

2. Resilience, Flexibility & Agility

Resilience is a prized trait that signals an individual's ability to weather challenges and contribute positively. Flexibility and agility are essential for professionals across all industries, in particular those characterised by rapid change.  

This looks like:

• Handling failures and challenges with grace, learning from experiences, and maintaining a positive outlook.
• Being open to change, adjusting plans when necessary, and embracing new ways of working.
• Responding quickly and effectively to unexpected situations, making swift decisions when required.
• Being able to manage emotions and action appropriate self care to maintain mental and physical health.

3. Motivation & Self Awareness

Motivated individuals set ambitious yet achievable goals, demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional growth. Self-awareness is a competitive edge, allowing professionals to align their career trajectories with their values, making them invaluable assets to forward-thinking organisations.

This looks like:

• Setting clear, meaningful goals and maintaining the enthusiasm to pursue them.
• Recognising and understanding your emotions, strengths, and areas for improvement.
• Aligning personal and professional goals with your values.
• Continuously reassessing and adjusting goals based on self-awareness.

As the professional landscape transforms, those who invest in self-mastery skills will not only survive but thrive in the competitive job market. Employers are recognising that technical skills alone are no longer sufficient; they are looking for those who bring a holistic and adaptable skill set to the table.

Reo Group CEO Stella Petrou Concha is a self-mastery expert and her teaching filter through the agency to the consultants and through them to our clients and candidates. Self mastery underpins our ethos and our approach to the recruitment process.

You can learn more about the intelligence of self mastery by visiting Stella's website where you will find blog articles and can learn more about her work as an author in this space.