The Top 5 Skills That Will Be in Demand for the Next 10 Years
Welcome to Linked And Lift, your weekly guide to thriving in your career and designing a life you love for entrepreneurs and ambitious professionals. Each week, you get research-backed insights and we break down the skills, strategies, and mindsets you need to stay ahead of the curve.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new job types that don't yet exist? [2016 report]
And if you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered: How do I keep up?
Today, we’re diving into the top five skills that will be in demand for the next decade-and how you can start building them without going back to school.
What’s in Store:
The top 5 high-demand skills you need to future-proof your career.
Simple, no-cost ways to start developing them today.
Linked And Lift Picks: Best resources to stay ahead.
📖 Read Time: 5 minutes
This Edition is Sponsored by Coursera
To keep Linked and Lift free and packed with valuable insights, I occasionally partner with brands that align with our mission - like Coursera, a platform that helps you learn from top institutions for free.
If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership, personal, and professional skills, Coursera offers courses from top institutions like Yale, Stanford, IBM and Google - many of them free! From The Science of Well-Being (Yale) to Google’s Career Certificates, you can learn from the best, at your own pace.
Give yourself the gift of growth - because you deserve to thrive.
The Future Belongs to the Adaptable
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the job market is shifting at lightning speed. AI, automation, and global shifts are rewriting the rules.
That means degrees alone won’t cut it anymore.
The real edge? Skills.
So, which ones will keep you ahead of the curve?
Let’s break it down.
1. Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
AI can crunch numbers, but it can’t think critically or solve complex problems the way we can.
Companies need people who can analyze, strategize, and make smart decisions in uncertain situations.
💡 How to develop this skill:
Ask yourself, What’s the best way to cut costs without layoffs?
Train your brain with decision-making exercises.Play strategy-based games like chess or business simulations.
Read Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
🎓 Take this course: Critical Thinking Skills for University Success (University of Sydney - 6 weeks, Beginner)
2. Digital & AI Literacy
If you're thinking, I'm not a tech person, don't worry. You don't need to be.
But you do need to understand AI, automation, and data if you want to stay relevant.
💡 How to develop this skill:
Learn the basics of data analysis with Excel, Power BI, or Google Analytics.
Experiment with AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Notion AI.
🎓 Take this course: AI For Everyone (DeepLearning.AI - 4 weeks, Beginner)
3. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
If you've ever worked with someone who's brilliant but difficult to work with, you know how valuable EQ is.
Soft skills are now power skills - and they’ll set you apart from AI.
💡 How to develop this skill:
Practice active listening. Focus on understanding, not just replying.
Improve self-awareness by journaling or seeking feedback.
Read Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry.
🎓 Take this course: Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence (Case Western Reserve University - 8 weeks, Beginner)
4. Creativity & Innovation
AI can analyze, but it can’t create like we can.
The future belongs to those who can innovate, think outside the box, and turn ideas into reality.
💡 How to develop this skill:
Set a "creativity time" - 15 minutes a day for brainstorming.
Surround yourself with diverse perspectives. Listen to podcasts outside your industry.
Learn design thinking - a structured approach to problem-solving.
🎓 Take this course: Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success (Imperial College London - 5 weeks, Beginner)
5. Adaptability & Lifelong Learning
Change is the only constant.
The most successful people won’t be the ones who know everything.
They’ll be the ones willing to learn anything.
💡 How to develop this skill:
Adopt a growth mindset. Replace “I can’t do this” with “I can’t do this yet.”
Set a quarterly learning goal. Master a new skill every 3 months.
Subscribe to Harvard Business Review or MIT Technology Review.
🎓 Take this course: Learning How to Learn (Deep Teaching Solutions - 4 weeks, Beginner)
🚀 Action Plan: Stay Ahead of the Curve
1. Audit Your Skills → Identify gaps & growth areas.
2. Choose One Skill → Start small & commit to improving it.
3. Leverage Free Resources → YouTube, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning.
4. Network with Future-Focused Professionals → Join online communities & LinkedIn groups.
5. Stay Curious → The best investment is in your adaptability.
Linked And Lift Picks
🎧 Podcast: The Future of Work with Jacob Morgan (insights from top business leaders)
📖 Book: The Adaptation Advantage by Heather McGowan (why lifelong learning is the key to success)
🎥 YouTube Video: "How to Stay Relevant in a Rapidly Changing World" (must-watch!)
🛠 Tool: Udemy’s AI & Automation courses (affordable learning for in-demand skills)
What’s Your Take?
👉 Vote here & see live results in next week’s edition!
Last week’s Poll results
If there’s one thing this community has made clear, it’s that staying productive isn’t always easy. Last week’s poll asked: Which productivity trap do you struggle with the most?
The top challenge?
Multitasking too much - taking the lead with 43% of the votes. Perfectionism wasn’t far behind at 36%.
Closing Thought
The future doesn’t belong to those with the best résumés.
It belongs to those who stay adaptable, keep learning, and take action.
So, what’s one skill you’ll commit to building this month?
Hit reply and let me know - I read every response!
About the Personal Branding Series…
Last week, I mentioned starting a personal branding series, but I’ve realized not everyone here is focused on that right now.
I’ll continue sharing insights on leadership, growth, and balanced living, but if you’re interested in personal branding, stay tuned - more to come soon! 😉
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To your growth,
Founder, Linked And Lift