JOBS-CAREER
Vikram Chaudhary talked to CHROs and academicians on the skills and roles that young Indians must focus on for career advancement and leadership positions Abhishek Mishra, Head – HR, Rockwell Automation India : The world is evolving at an astonishing rate, driven by geopolitical, environmental, and technological shifts that are reshaping society and organisations alike. In this dynamic landscape, the skills needed for success are not only changing, but are also becoming more critical than ever. According to Coursera’s Job Skills Report 2024, the most sought-after skills include leadership abilities that can effectively drive organisational change, AI expertise, cybersecurity and information security knowledge, business acumen, and web development and computing skills. Similarly, Lepaya – a L&D technology and power skill training provider – highlights vital skills that organisations are urgently seeking. Problem-solving skills are at the forefront, encompassing analytical thinking, creativity, reasoning, and ideation. Self-management is equally crucial, integrating resilience, stress tolerance, and adaptability. Additionally, the ability to collaborate effectively – with empathetic communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills – is essential in today’s workplace. Finally, technology proficiency, particularly in data science, AI, machine learning, and deep learning, remains indispensable. Embracing these skills will prepare you to thrive in an ever-changing world. Prof Deepa Mani, Indian School of Business: When people experience you as a leader, they experience you as someone with better judgement. In times of continuous change, judgement is well served by intuition, i.e., your past experiences and learnings are a sound guide for the future. However, today’s business environment, shaped by rapid technological change, new faces of competition, and shifts in consumer behaviour represents discontinuous change. In these times, leaders must challenge their intuition lest it holds them captive to an existing way of being and doing business. I always say innovation is not as much the ability to develop new ideas as it is the ability break away from old ones. Leaders need a strong analytical mindset, diverse perspectives and character. A growth mindset, hypothesis-driven thinking, data-informed decision-making, cross-functional thinking, digital savvy, resilience, and integrity are all important skills required to create sustainable businesses with impact in the new economy . The ability to learn to learn will be critical as leaders and business transition multiple technology and operating paradigms over their lifecycles. Prof Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani: The world is driven by change, especially in technological innovation and global commerce, hence in five years to come there will be need for a different mixture of skills for individuals whose ambitions are to progress in their careers and take up leadership positions. Adaptability, digital fluency, and a strong foundation in problem-solving will be key, along with an entrepreneurial mindset. Future leaders are not only required to possess relevant skills, but also understand social welfare and economics as they will work as a team in bringing effective changes. It is, therefore, important to invest in these competencies today in order to create forward-thinking leaders who will be able to face any future challenges. Pratish Koparkar, CHRO, Epsilon Group: As industries undergo rapid transformation driven by technology and sustainability, the demand for new skills and adaptive leadership is becoming crucial. Over the next five years, roles in data analytics, digital transformation, and ESG (environmental, social, governance) management will be at the forefront of career growth. Leaders who can embrace digital fluency, emotional intelligence, and resilience will be poised to succeed. The future of work will hinge on a balance between human-centric leadership and technological acumen. Professionals who can foster innovation, drive digital change, and maintain agility in complex environments will be the ones leading the next wave of organisational success. Amit Goyal, Regional MD South Asia, Project Management Institute: In the next five years, as the work environment becomes increasingly fast-paced and dynamic, it will be imperative for project managers to effectively communicate the underlying purpose and strategic objectives of their projects. This articulation of the ‘why’ serves as the initiative’s core, its essential foundation, and the catalyst for team mobilisation. Furthermore, the importance of interpersonal skills in ensuring the success of project professionals cannot be overstated. To maintain effectiveness and productivity, managers must sharpen their collaboration, communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities. These power skills are particularly vital for project managers overseeing diverse teams, as they facilitate unifying the team around a shared objective. None
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