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The Great Skills Shift is happening, and it's probably not quite what you think. 

In this episode, we explore what's happening, why, and how leaders can help their teams ride the future skills wave. We look in particular at the World Economic Forum report highlighting the key forces at play: technological changes, green transition, demographic shifts, economic uncertainty, and fragmentation - and how they all impact job skills. We delve into the importance of adaptability and learning in the face of rapidly changing job requirements, the role of AI in augmenting human capabilities, and how leaders can strategically plan for the future. In our takeaways we talk through how do develop the right vision, foster a love for learning within teams, and leverage AI to enhance human uniqueness.

DIVE DEEPER - RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING:

Understanding Motivation - Self-Determination Theory

• Simply Psychology – Self-Determination Theory: How It Explains Motivation
  Accessible introduction to SDT and its applications:
  https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-determination-theory.html
  
  • Self-Determination Theory: Understanding Leadership Drivers (Stuart Tan): Practical guide for leaders on using SDT’s three needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—to motivate teams.
  https://www.stuarttan.com/self-determination-theory-understanding-leadership-drivers/

Josh Bersin: The Superworker

• The Rise of the Superworker: Delivering On The Promise Of AI: Explains how AI transforms jobs through four stages—Assist, Augment, Integrate, and Autonomy—and what leaders should do to prepare teams for this shift.
  https://joshbersin.com/2025/01/the-rise-of-the-superworker-delivering-on-the-promise-of-ai/
  
  

VIA Character Strengths

• Wikipedia – Values in Action Inventory of Strengths: Background and classification of the VIA strengths and virtues framework.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Values_in_Action_Inventory_of_Strengths
  
  
• VIA Institute – Character Strengths Overview: Clear explainer of the 24 character strengths and six core virtues, with practical tips for applying them at work and in life.
  https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths

Future of Work & Skills

• Drivers in skills shift:
  i) World Economic Forum – Future of Jobs Report 2025: Comprehensive forecast of how technology, climate, and demographics will reshape work and required skills by 2030.
  https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_Report_2025.pdf
  
  ii) 9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2025 and Beyond: Key trends and challenges for leaders preparing for the future of work.
  https://hbr.org/2025/01/9-trends-that-will-shape-work-in-2025-and-beyond
  
  
  
• Skills adaptability:
  i) Overview of how diverse skills and attitudes help people and economies adapt to digital and green transitions, with a focus on inclusive, resilient growth.
  Summary: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2023/11/oecd-skills-outlook-2023_df859811.h