Future Skills

The Brand NEW Book from Bernard Marr, bestselling author behind Business Trends in Practice - Winner of Business Book of the Year 2022.

Future-proof yourself and develop critical skills for the digital future

The working world has changed dramatically in the last twenty years and it's going to continue to transform at an even faster pace. How can the average professional stay afloat in an ocean of constant change and technological revolution?

In Future Skills: The 20 Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World bestselling author and futurist Bernard Marr delivers an engaging and insightful discussion of how you can prepare yourself for the digital future of work. You'll learn which skills will be in the highest demand, why they'll command a premium price, and how to develop them. You'll also find:

• Strategies for improving human-centered skills, like teamwork and collaboration
• Straightforward explanations of digital skills, like data literacy and cyber-threat awareness
• Ways to make yourself an indispensable component of future firms, and practical tips for continuous improvement

A can't-miss book for every working professional seeking not just to survive – but to thrive – in the coming years, Future Skills belongs in the libraries of company leaders, managers, human resources professionals, educators, and anyone else with an interest in the future of work and how humanity fits within it.

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Digital Literacy 5

Chapter 2 Data Literacy 23

Chapter 3 Technical Skills 39

Chapter 4 Digital Threat Awareness 49

Chapter 5 Critical Thinking 65

Chapter 6 Judgment and Complex Decision- Making 79

Chapter 7 Emotional Intelligence and Empathy 89

Chapter 8 Creativity 99

Chapter 9 Collaboration and Working in Teams 109

Chapter 10 Interpersonal Communication 119

Chapter 11 Working in Gigs 131

Chapter 12 Adaptability and Flexibility 143

Chapter 13 Cultural Intelligence and Diversity Consciousness 153

Chapter 14 Ethical Awareness 163

Chapter 15 Leadership Skills 173

Chapter 16 Brand of “You” and Networking 189

Chapter 17 Time Management 199

Chapter 18 Curiosity and Continual Learning 209

Chapter 19 Embracing and Celebrating Change 221

Chapter 20 Looking After Yourself 233

Final Words 249

About the Author 253

Index 255

BERNARD MARR is an internationally bestselling author, keynote speaker, and strategic advisor to some of the world’s most influential companies and governments. He is an expert on topics as varied as future trends, business skills, artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain. He has a regular column in Forbes and is the CEO of Bernard Marr & Co.

We know the world is changing, and we know that the way we work is changing with it. But what if you could prepare yourself for the changes that have yet to come? What if you could future-proof yourself and gather the skills you’ll need to succeed tomorrow, today?

In Future Skills: The 20 Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World, renowned futurist, technologist, and bestselling author Bernard Marr delivers a compelling and essential blueprint to creating a professional skillset that can not only withstand, but shine, in the digital future. In this book, you’ll explore the twenty most important skills for the future of work and why they will be valuable. You’ll also learn tips and receive advice to help you improve those skills right now.

Whether you’re looking to improve within your current job or find a new opportunity, you’ll be able to apply the insights and ideas you gain from this book immediately. It’s ideal for anyone, in any job or career, who doesn’t want to approach the future of work blindfolded.

The author explores skills as varied as data literacy, cyber-threat awareness, collaboration and teamwork, cultural intelligence, gig working, curiosity, and continuous improvement. Rather than focus purely on technical skills, Marr discusses the uniquely human capacities that can’t be easily automated or replaced by technology.

If you want to surf the digital wave, rather than get swept up in it, join Bernard Marr as he walks you through the specific steps you’ll need to take to make yourself an indispensable part of a future that’s coming sooner than you think.

Develop Critical Skills In The New World Of Work

Future Skills: The 20 Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World is an indispensable handbook for anyone seeking to prepare themselves for the future of work. In this book, you’ll discover the skillsets that companies and employers will value tomorrow—so you can prepare today.

From data literacy to teamwork and collaboration, Bernard Marr dives deep into the skills that can’t or won’t be automated. He offers strategies and tips for improving your capabilities in these areas so you can avoid feeling overtaken by technology. You’ll learn which competencies will be in high demand, why they’ll be sold at a premium, and how to acquire them efficiently and effectively.

A must-read resource for professionals, employees, business owners, executives, managers, human resources professionals, educators, and anyone else interested in the future of work and our place within it, Future Skills is the one-stop reference you need to future-proof your resumé and work toolset and ensure you can surf the digital wave, rather than be swept up in it.