Seven skills and trainings, management students need for future-proof careers

You don’t have to be a sci-fi movie buff to anticipate what the world around you is going to look like in the future. Why future technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are already in prevalence and here to stay.

You don’t have to be a sci-fi movie buff to anticipate what the world around you is going to look like in the future. Why future technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are already in prevalence and here to stay.

Digital disruptions have already had a huge impact on diverse industries. According to a Harvard Business Review report, a whopping 90% of industries claim to have a digital strategy in place. (Photo/Shutterstock)

Digital disruptions have already had a huge impact on diverse industries. According to a Harvard Business Review report, a whopping 90% of industries claim to have a digital strategy in place. Studies have revealed that by 2025, most industries will be completely digitalised. So where does it leave managers with degrees from leading management schools?

Time to adapt and be flexible

Liz Bentley, founder of the eponymous leadership consulting firm,says,‘Change is happening rapidly and more than half of today’s occupations will not exist by 2025. The industry is indeed in a state of flux but as some of the experts, at conclaves I’ve had the privilege to be a part of, have said, “It doesn’t mean managers will be replaced by machines.”

Workspaces all over the world are changing irrespective of the technological impact. Past hierarchies are being smashed with the growing millennial workforce and so are international boundaries. Tomorrow’s managers will have to work in an increasingly collaborative environment, and they will need these skills to make their mark in their chosen careers.

Technology Management

Studies suggest that managers spend more than 50% of their time handling administrative responsibilities. In the near future, AI will be taking over these tasks, which means managers can be more productive in devising strategies for their businesses. But as experts say, managers will also need to adapt to the evolving relationship between machines and humans. Embrace new technologies, or be left out in the future.

Innovation skills have the edge

That managers need to possess out-of-the-box thinking is a given. If you want to climb the success ladder, you will need to take things to the next level. And for every organization, big and small, that step up is Innovation. From manufacturing to marketing, innovation will be the way forward. Managers will have to take the initiative for innovation, and back it up with solid execution with the requisite skills they have been trained for.

Become more collaborative

International consulting firm Deloitte revealed that more than 40% of employees look for stronger communication with the management. Workspaces will have to adjust to the needs of employees, which will result in top-down structures transitioning to alongside, collaborative environment. In fact, the collaboration will be the workspace innovation for all organizations, and managers will need to perform in the changing landscape efficiently.

Thrive in diverse workspaces

The demographics of the corporate workforce is changing dramatically across age and geographical boundaries. Gen Z will be making its way into the corporate environment. Globalization will lead to more diverse teams working on projects and towards a common goal. While some managers will revel in these diverse environments, others will struggle. The key lies in training, sensitivity to cultural differences, and the willingness to embrace the new.

Emotional Intelligence

Yes, the future will bedriven by technology, but it won’t be a dry and cold, emotionless future. Far from it, according to human resource pundits. They believe that in times to come, teammates will further rely on each other for support at the workplace. Millennial and Gen Z professionals will have their own demands from the workplace. As a manager, you will need greater insights into what works for teams, and it will come from your emotional intelligence.

Spiritual Intelligence

The way technology drives us, in future even today we do require self-discipline, everyone requires to maintain balance in life between family and work, both are very important. The same can be developed by developing Patience, Response Double Check, Breathing Exercise, Belief, Discipline.

Are B-Schools doing enough to enable management students to imbibe the required skills and become future ready? I would say, efforts are definitely underway and to good effect as well. FORE School of Management, New Delhi has the intrinsic advantage of a culturally diverse campus that prepares students for the emergingwork environments of the future. FORE remains committed to offering certificate courses on the latest technologies and organizing webinars on topics like Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Digital Transformation and Communication among other initiatives. With additional emphasis on Innovation as reflected in the International Conference on Digital Innovationhosted last year, FORE endeavours to make students’ careers future-proof.

(Author Dr Jitendra Das is Director, FORE School of Management. Views expressed here are personal.)