WHEN EXISTENTIAL SKILLS COME TO THE FORE...

2020 is the year of reskilling

If the 1970’s focussed on company building, the 1990’s did on execution and the early 2000s on scale and technology, 2020 is the year of skills. Never before have we stressed so much on the need to reskill and whenever we thought of reskilling we always knew we had to be job or promotion ready. It hardly occurred to us that a pandemic will reset several of our existing notions about our job titles and individualities will suffer such a huge blow.

As individuals, many of us have always sought after improving our professional skills and weigh our self-worth with our incomes and designations. However, today, times have changed. A CEO or Founder or Entrepreneur or any professional has to tend to household chores and multitask (and be good at it). They also have to attend to their kids / parents and their wellbeing, homework, online classes and much more (in addition to their work). Unfortunately, there are many who also have to face job losses with little idea about what their future holds. 

None of this comes with a manual. The only constant is that there is no constant and we are sailing through everyday with the basic essentials. There is where ‘Existential Skills’ or ‘Insurance Skills’ as I call them come to the fore. 

What are these ‘Existential Skills’?

In their book, No Hard Feelings, a Wall Street Journal Bestseller Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy talk about attaching ourselves to busyness and our professional lives to almost mistake them for our identities. The busier we seem, the more important we are. However, it took a pandemic to break that bubble for many of us.

We now have begun to realise that our professional skills are limited to just a department or function of an organisation. Nothing more, nothing less. They cannot save lives; let alone help us with our chores. ‘Existential skills’ or ‘insurance skills’ are a combination of professional and life skills. Like with insurance where we are assured of a basic return in case of emergencies, these skills are our insurance in tough times. Both professionally and to lead a successful life. Many believe that learning to learn or lifelong learning is an existential skill. 

Why are ‘Existential Skills’ or ‘Insurance Skills’ important?

Experts believe that a 21 year old joining the workforce today, will have to change careers (not jobs) at least 6-7 times during their work lives. They might also be laid off at least thrice in a career spanning 20-30 years. Therefore, a clear trait that emerges is one of acceptance and preparedness. Every individual part of the workforce today or someone who will potentially be, has to insure themselves with a vast array of skills over their lifetime at work. 

I spoke to a bunch of Gen Z’ers and five unique characterises stood out: they begin early (some even drop out of college if they are bored!), quick to figure out what works for them or they just move on, like to build and create impact (no longer are they afraid of being on their own), believe in internet credentials and branding (several use that as their passport to new and exciting jobs) and lastly they value money and titles.

(more in this piece Gen Z workers are nothing like the millennials. Here’s how Indian employers can adapt)

This only goes on to show that the norms of our work life are changing. There is no need to fear, just adapt and know what your own ‘Existential Skills’ are.

So, what is the way forward?

The pandemic has only opened a can of worms, the worms were always there. Reskilling is no longer a buzzword. It is the reality of our lives. This is hardly the first time things will shake up. Recently, a friend asked me what are the skills of the future and how should she prepare for them? Honestly, I am hardly in a position to predict that for someone else (much less for myself). 

However, after a lot of reflection and conversations with experts, I believe that our insurance skills are those that are built for life and not for boosting the revenue of one particular organisation. For example, for a writer, their insurance (apart from writing) is the network they build and the ideas they generate. More so, how they engage with their audience, the community they are able to build and the ripple effect they are able to create. The more I think about it, the only conclusion I am able to draw is that you are your own insurance. While there may be lists of hot skills or careers, they will change every three years (and I am being conservative here), the only insurance against change is openness. Know what you want and go after it. When you can be many things at the same time, why gun for one?

It took me a while to get down to writing this newsletter. But then, I knew that I will have to take a chance. It was, after-all, what I loved to do. Answer these questions for yourself and see what you want to do. Do comment/ let me know too.