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Key points
- 87% of companies say their workforce has a digital skills gap.
- More than three-quarters of employees are ready to learn new skills or completely retrain.
- Those who are distinct are always trying to upskill.
- Those who refuse to learn anything new will quickly find themselves replaceable.
Are you making yourself distinct or extinct?
Rounds of layoffs by all the big technology companies have many wondering, what’s next? Or better yet, who is next? While much is out of your control, there are things you can do to make yourself indispensable—to make you distinct instead of extinct.
What’s the difference?
The benefits of upskilling
The world is changing all around us. New technology, software, and processes are emerging faster than we can catch up. What are you doing to learn about all these new programs?
A 2021 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that 80% of employees are confident they can adapt to emerging technologies in the workforce. That’s promising, as 87% of companies say their workforce has a digital skills gap.
Over three-quarters of employees are ready to learn new skills or completely retrain. During the pandemic, 40% of workers successfully improved their digital skills.
Those who are distinct are always trying to upskill. They take classes through local colleges or online through platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, which has thousands of courses on every imaginable topic, from managing and analyzing data in Excel to becoming an inspiring mentor.
Those who refuse to learn anything new will quickly find themselves replaceable.
Build professional relationships
Learning how to develop professional relationships is pivotal. It will allow you to learn about people’s strengths, identify where you can add value, and find out what a key pain point is for the organization or your boss’ boss. You can also see where you can be helpful to others. No one has all the answers or solutions, so having an extra pair of hands might be appreciated when people are in a tough situation.
You should always be ready to strike up a conversation with another person; in the elevator, coffee shop, or the gate at the airport. You never know where it may lead. (Click here to read Nine easy ways to start a conversation with a stranger).
When people talk, listen
We have two ears and one mouth. We should use them in that ratio. Listen to what other people are sharing and make a mental note. This will improve your emotional intelligence and will help you connect the dots between people and ideas, potentially leading to innovative programs and projects.
When you can connect ideas that others don’t yet see, you are making yourself distinct.
Be the best at something
If you want to make yourself distinct, work at being the best at one particular thing. You don’t need to be the world’s best, but rather, the best in your department or organization. You should be the person people turn to when they need help for something such as launching a program or working with software.
How do you become the best?
Repetition and lots of practice are your constant companion. When you get stuck, talk to others, look online, and figure out how to overcome the hurdle.
You can passively work and not change a thing, but you might quickly find yourself extinct in the workplace. Making yourself distinct and indispensable takes focus and work, but it is not impossible.
