Adaptability, AI among crucial skills for leaders in 2024
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — As the job market rapidly evolves, adaptability has emerged as the most crucial leadership skill to develop in 2024, according to recent research from the professional networking platform LinkedIn.
LinkedIn’s 2024 Most In-Demand Skills report positions adaptability as the “skill of the moment,” given how much artificial intelligence (AI) changes the world of work.
“Adaptability is the best way to have agency right now,” says LinkedIn VP Aneesh Raman. “At the core of managing change is building that muscle of adaptability.”
Aside from adaptability, AI is also one of the fastest-growing leadership skills to learn in 2024, according to Forbes.
With its integration into business operations proving to boost productivity, increase revenues, and streamline workflows, understanding AI and implementing relevant technologies is now considered fundamental for strategic leadership.
Gartner previously claimed AI will augment rather than replace jobs by 2024, necessitating training programs to prepare employees for redesigned roles.
Emotional intelligence, or EQ, similarly ranks high among sought-after skills, with resilience, curiosity, and motivation enabling managers to foster innovation within teams.
Innovation or creative thinking is another leadership skill that drives a successful organization. It has emerged as the most sought-after skill in 2024, with over 70% of employers identifying it as pivotal for career and business growth, according to separate surveys from the World Economic Forum and Statista.
Moreover, employee engagement has gained attention, with effective leadership identified as critical for achieving higher retention and productivity. Employee engagement is crucial, especially now that American workers are reporting lower job satisfaction and a reduced sense of purpose in their jobs.
With lower engagement comes substantial economic impacts. Gallup estimates over $1.9 trillion in lost productivity from employees who are not engaged or actively disengaged.
Professionals are encouraged to develop these in-demand skills. Embracing adaptability, alongside AI, EQ, innovation, and employee engagement, is deemed essential for anyone aiming to lead successfully in this dynamic era.
