Whilst technology will always influence the way in which we do our work, and there are a plethora of articles around at the moment about how robotics and technology will remove a number of jobs of the future, I believe people will always be working with people, and there are skills we will always need, regardless of what technology throws at us.

In a series of blogs, I will be sharing those forever skills that I believe we need to adapt, adopt or become adept at if we want to remain relevant and employable in an ever changing world.

Skill 1:  Change Making

It almost seems too obvious that this would be number one in this series.  The mere fact that we are faced with change on a daily micro and macro basis, means that those who are most able to lead and manage change will be more successful.

In systems thinking, we talk about the Law of Requisite Variety.  In simple terms, the system or person with the most flexibility of behaviour will control the system. It is also the first law of Cybernetics.

Firstly, you have to able to cope with and navigate change yourself.  How good are you at dealing with changing situations and systems in both your professional and private life?  We all say that we aren’t change resistant, and yet when it comes to change we find ourselves saying things like “That would never work” or “That’s not for me”.  Try this simple test.  Is there a brand of food or product that you buy without thinking,  for example, tomato sauce?  What if you bought a different brand?  Yes, it will taste different, and how long does it take for you to become accustomed to that taste?

As they say on an aircraft, we need to put our own masks on before assisting others.  Your resourcefulness with regard to change must be in place before you can even begin to lead and manage change with and for others.

The ability to have and create choices for people when dealing with changing environments will be an imperative skill.  And not just for leaders.  Anyone at any level of an organisation can be a change maker by applying the following:

Attention – keeping up with current events through subscribing to future focused writers/blogs/podcasts etc

Intention – looking for opportunities internally and externally to influence positively

Connection – connecting the dots between what you are learning about, and its effect on you, your team and your organisation.

Having a sound understanding how change happens in an organisation is critical.  There are three reasons change fails, and being able to counter these impacts on your ability to effectively lead and manage change:

Resistance – the key is relationships

Lack of leadership – the key is sponsorship

Lack of process – the key is framework

If you haven’t already done some study or reading about the fundamentals of change management, your homework is to do so!  Here are some starters for you:

Harvard Business Reviews top 10 articles on Change Management 

The Classic:  Leading Change, by John Kotter 

The Contemporary:  Lean Change Management by Jason Little

Next week I will be writing about Skill 2:  Sense Making