What the Future of Jobs report – part III – raises alarm bells

The future has new skills: Why AI, green jobs and flexibility are your new friends

The Future of Jobs 2025 report by the World Economic Forum shows that the future of work is a fascinating, but also a little intimidating, show where your skills will be more important than your Monday morning coffee. A well-balanced combination of creativity, adaptability and a dash of technological wizardry seem to make up the recipe for success. So let’s explore the skills that can secure you a front-row seat to this show, not forgetting to smile subtly along the way.

We start with creative thinking, a skill that still remains unassailable by robots. Although artificial intelligence can process more data in a second than we can in a lifetime, robots still don’t know how to create “impossible” solutions that miraculously work. Companies are not just looking for employees who can solve problems, but those who can invent more interesting problems, only to solve them more spectacularly. Creativity is basically the key to turning the daily routine into something really worth telling.

Then there’s emotional intelligence, that skill possessed by the colleague who manages to calm down an angry customer without raising his voice or, more importantly, his eyebrow. In a world where interpersonal relationships are still a priority (at least for now), understanding how others feel and managing those emotions can be more valuable than knowing all the shortcuts in Excel. Emotional intelligence turns you into that person everyone looks for in a tense situation – because you don’t just ‘work it out’, you do it with grace.

Adaptability and flexibility are next on the list, and no, it doesn’t involve complicated yoga poses. In a world where change is the only constant, adapting quickly becomes a superpower. Employers value people who don’t ask “why?” but “when do we start?”. Adapting is no longer an option, it’s a prerequisite.

Now we’re entering data analytics territory, that boring-sounding but essential area. In the future, data will continue to be the gold of the economy, and the ability to interpret it is what makes the difference between “just a report” and “the strategy that saved our quarter”. If you can explain to a harried boss why the numbers don’t lie, you’re already on a promising path.

Leadership is more important than ever, but not the kind of leadership that makes people stay overtime, but the kind that inspires teams to work together with real enthusiasm. The leaders of the future will not just be managers, but motivational architects. If you can create an environment where everyone feels engaged and valued, you’ll be that leader who makes a difference – and your team will speak highly of you even after the meeting.

Green technologies also occupy an important place in the equation of the future. However, being a sustainability expert is not just about using less plastic or posting about recycling on LinkedIn. It’s about understanding how you can turn green innovations into strategies that matter – for your company, for the planet and, why not, for your CV. Knowing the principles of ESG (environmental, social and governance) or understanding the circular economy can not only make you more relevant, but also more respected.

Let’s not forget resilience, which is essentially the ability to remain calm in the face of chaos. In the future, employers aren’t just looking for people who can handle crises, but also those who can do so without breaking down nervously. Resilience is that skill that helps you answer with a genuine (or at least well-practiced) smile the question “Why isn’t the project ready?” and gives you the right framework to maintain your motivation and emotional balance in an environment characterized by constant change and even adversity.

For those who love beauty and functionality, design and user experience are perfect areas. If you can create digital products that are intuitive yet engaging, you are exactly the person the job market is looking for. A well-thought-out app is worth an entire customer service team, and the people who create such experiences are already the stars of the digital future.

Finally, we come to cybersecurity, which, while it seems like a cold, technical field, is actually the last line of defense in a fragile digital world. If you’ve ever wanted to be a modern hero without wearing a cape, cybersecurity is the ideal route. You’ll not only protect your company’s data, but also your bosses’ restful sleep – and that really matters.

Bottom line: it’s time to make discomfort your new comfort zone

By 2030, 59% of employees will need to develop new skills. That’s more than half of the workforce! The changes may seem difficult, but the truth is that the future is more about opportunities than dangers.

So whether you’re learning AI or just becoming a more resilient version of yourself, remember: the future isn’t scary – it’s just ambitious.

Time to rethink your career path! Invest in skills such as emotional intelligence, cybersecurity and green skills to stay relevant in a rapidly transforming job market. Be proactive: start with training, connect with industry leaders and identify opportunities to apply your new skills.