Coaching skills top of my list! Influencing skills, Emotional Agility, Leading in a Hybrid work environment, Leading change and innovation

Margaret Burnside would you have chosen the same skills last year?

Listening skills top the list - listening to ALL stakeholders and being able to adapt one's style and approach to best suit the needs of both parties, you and the stakeholder. This will then determine the skills one needs as one identifies the issues faced.

I agree with Margaret Burnside regarding the need to understand how hybrid working works for your business, and would add that this skill will enable one to take advantage of all the positives it has to offer.

I would also suggest that this is the case whether or not COVID is an issue, Jane Nicholson-Biss ;)

I agree Simon, Listening is a key topic, it's coming up again and again. I worked for Samaritans years ago, an organisation based on listening, the power of listening is not to be underestimated.

Jane, you'll definitely appreciate that listening also means not forcing people to talk; something I learnt as a non-sabbatical student union officer in the welfare office. Sometimes the silences can tell just as much as the spoken word. I have a great admiration for anyone who is/was a Samaritan. you/they can teach a lot about resilience!

Definitely emotional intelligence, adaptability, resilience, innovation and collaboration Jane Nicholson-Biss!

Here are my five.

Decision-making, learning, communicating (in all its forms inc empathy), being conscientious, influencing. They can be combined to make more complex skills.

These may count for nothing without some of the qualities required - such as integrity, self aware, courage etc.

Great question, Jane. In particular, I believe that we have gone through a significant recalibration in our priorities during the pandemic. Due to the significant anxiety driven by the global conversations, I think many people became more attuned to basic human needs, such as personal and psychological safety. Many had the opportunity to discover what their priorities and values were. This was one of the driving factors behind the Great Resignation as workers realised that they did not feel safe or valued by their bosses or organisations or that their values did not align.

People have become more discerning over the past 2 years. Values play a central role in job enjoyment. I think leadership needs to deliver against this new dynamic and exemplify what I believe to be the top 5 skills:

Empathy
Communications including active listening and coaching conversations)
Values-based decision making
Integrity
Relationship-building

Kul Mahay thank you