Future Skills summary

Critical thinking is crucial as technology transforms society. This skill is increasingly vital amid fake news and polarization, which may further divide people into opposed camps. Social media bubbles will worsen the situation by limiting information exposure and encouraging cognitive biases like confirmation bias.

So what is critical thinking, exactly? It means analyzing information objectively, without biases that distort thinking. It involves actively and independently forming thoughts based on evidence – not passively accepting claims. Critical thinkers spot inconsistencies, ask thoughtful questions, determine what’s relevant, and consider consequences before drawing conclusions. This, in turn, leads to better decisions.

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to perceive, understand, express, and manage your own emotions – and to understand the emotions of others. A key part of EQ is empathy, or the ability to understand different perspectives.

EQ isn’t just a buzzword. It’s been found to complement IQ in predicting achievement among individuals. In one study, insurance agents with high EQ sold policies worth double those sold by low-EQ agents. 

Interpersonal communication describes the human exchange of information, emotions, and meaning. It encompasses oral communication like spoken discussions, written communication through emails and messages, nonverbal communication via body language and facial expressions, and listening skills like focused attention and interpreting unspoken cues.

Nonverbal signals convey an astonishing 93 percent of a message's full meaning. With work communications increasingly happening remotely via digital channels that lack these nonverbal cues, interpersonal abilities are more important than ever.

Our increasingly interconnected world means more frequent encounters with diverse cultures. So the ability to collaborate across differences is essential for success – especially as it’s been shown that organizations with diverse workforces and leadership consistently outperform homogenous ones. Diverse perspectives spawn more innovation to serve diverse customers, and top talent increasingly seeks out diverse employers.

With diverse viewpoints, of course, comes challenges for communication, conflict resolution, and cohesion. This is where cultural intelligence, or CQ, becomes vital – the ability to relate to and work effectively with diverse people. CQ builds on skills like empathy, communication, critical thinking, and adaptability.