Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders:
BSG’s Approach to Future Skills Development
By Laura Dunstan-Smith
A few weeks back I was on a panel discussing skills of the future in the context of the rise of generative AI and I shared a quote that I first heard from a colleague some years ago “The pace of change has never been this fast, yet it will never be this slow again”. I couldn’t remember who said it and when I looked it up, I found that it was Justin Trudeau during his address at Davros in 2018.
As we hurtle into the future propelled by the evolution of technology, the quest for future-proof skills has never been more pressing. Automation and artificial intelligence are hot topics right now and among the emerging technologies that are rapidly transforming industries. How does one ensure sustainability of technical skills acquired? Building uniquely human abilities that complement and elevate our interaction with technology is key. So, what are these essential skills for navigating a future that we step into hand in hand with technology?
Adaptability and Resilience: The ability to adapt to change, be comfortable with being uncomfortable and to recover fast from failure is essential to thriving amidst technological disruptions. A growth mindset and a commitment to continuous learning will shift apprehension into excitement.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: While machines far outstrip humans at processing data and executing pre-defined tasks, they can only do what we teach them to do. The ability to analyse complex situations, think creatively and devise innovative solutions enables us to tackle novel challenges and think beyond the confines of algorithms.
Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork: As the world becomes smaller and more connected, the challenges that we have to solve become more complex. Complexity is seldom solved by a single point of view, skill set or in isolation. The ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams, cultures, and disciplines allows us to harness the power of the collective and bring unique solutions to complex problems. Communication lies at the heart of human collaboration.
Creativity and Imagination: Imagining the “art of the possible” is in the name – it’s an art. And while the art created by generative AI is impressive, it all originates from human ideas. Creativity is the key to thinking outside of conventional paradigms and seeing bold visions for the future.
Emotional Intelligence: Don’t underestimate the power that comes from being able to sit across from someone and pick up on their emotional cues. The more digital the world becomes, the more human we need to be. Empathy, compassion, and interpersonal skills are critical for fostering meaningful connections, an understanding of diverse perspectives, and sound ethics.
At BSG, we are committed to supporting our people to continuously build these skills so that we are ready for the future of work, and we are best equipped to partner with our clients to leverage emerging technologies to solve their business challenges. We acknowledge that we need to think hardcore about how we build these typically “soft skills”.
Our formal learning on communication, as an example, delves into the science and physiology behind communication and relationship building. Understanding that this is a skill that our people need to become specialists in. Personal mastery builds self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset. Community knowledge sharing further cements collaboration and teamwork skills. Through our culture of continuous learning and a focus on equipping people with the tools and mindset to thrive amidst change, we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders, one skill at a time.
A proactive force for positive change
We believe our people are the best investment we can make, and from the day you join the BSG community, the learning journey begins. Read about our career opportunities and graduate programmes.