01. Top skills to work on in 2023

How to recession proof your career & make sure AI doesn't steal your job

There’s been a lot of talk lately about how AI is going to take over our jobs, massive layoffs and quiet hiring. No matter how secure your job or profession may seem, the reality is, the way we work continues to change and shift. And those who are able to adapt with these changes are the ones who become crucial contributors in their workplace and advance more quickly. 

If you’ve been wondering how to recession proof your job and advance in your career, here are the top skills to work on in 2023: 

Embracing change and becoming digitally literate

You don’t need to become an expert in every new technology that comes out in the market, but you should know about trends that are impacting how we work. For example, right now everyone is talking about AI, especially ChatGPT.

For most people, their initial tendency is run from change and emerging new tech like this - to get defensive and claim AI will never do their job. But, what if instead, you were at the forefront to learn about new technologies? It could be as simple as reading articles about it and then connecting how it could play a role in your job, company or industry. 

You’d be surprised how few people take initiative to stay on top of technology trends, especially in professions like tax, law and accounting. So, even knowing a small amount about the latest digital trends can position you to step into opportunities if your firm or company decides to explore investing in the new technology.

A few months ago, my boss shared an article about ChatGPT and content creation with me. I had already been following ChatGPT so I replied with a list of ways it can serve our practice. Being in the know got me on a ChatGPT firm-wide task force to determine how we can use AI in our firm. Just being in the know on trends and emerging technology can open up unique opportunities for you!

Curiosity and continuous learning

Those who are willing to learn always get ahead. Those who grow set in their ways often tend to not move forward. Be always reading, listening to podcasts, raising your hand to try something new at work to expand your skill set. 

Becoming a master communicator

First, go read the book Smart Brevity. I think everyone in the corporate world should read this book and apply its principles to how we write and communicate, especially in the workplace. A good leader knows how to communicate expectations, give feedback and explain strategic goals that result in effective action.

Even if you’re not leading a team or are not yet in management, good communication skills are a game changer at every level of your career. For example, knowing the right questions to ask when getting a new assignment and eloquently managing expectations will elevate you above your peers. 

An entrepreneurial mindset and taking initiative 

I am a firm believer that even those who work in corporate environments should approach their job and profession as if they’re an entrepreneur: as if this is your business to grow and make successful, regardless of your job title or rank. As you continue learning and following technology / digital trends, you’ll come across new ideas and ways of thinking.

Connect those ideas and trends to your job and company. Speak up about what you’re learning. Share it with your team. Start a document tracking interesting articles, research, and ideas to build out a business case or pitch on why your firm or company should invest in a new service line, technology or way of doing things. Align your pitch or idea with your firm’s strategic and growth goals and then go for it! You’d be surprised how many people would be willing to say yes to an idea that will benefit the team, company and the bottom line.

Critical & creative thinking

I read somewhere recently that when asked what the most in-demand hard and technical skills were, HR professionals cited strategic thinking and analytics, digital communication, and project management. AI may start doing more and more of our jobs, but we’ll always need an ability to think critically to maximize what technology and automation can do. Critical thinking allows you to notice trends, spot gaps in information, ask clarifying questions and develop opinions. 

Critical thinking also helps you be resourceful. We all run into obstacles and “No” for an answer in our work. Maybe it’s not having enough resources (people, time or money) to finish a project or a client doesn’t like any of the dozen ideas your team pitched. The key to being resourceful is looking at all the ways you can solve a problem. So, developing a skill set to think critically and come up with creative solutions or alternative options is what will set you apart and get you ahead.

Business acumen & strategic thinking

Know the business of your company, industry and profession. You won’t advance very high if you don’t have business acumen. Know market and industry trends. Learn what is important to your company’s leadership. Understand what drives the bottom line. Study how decisions are made in your company. Get financially savvy. 

Unfortunately, this is another area where women in the corporate world can be at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts. Researchers looking at technology and professional services firms found that the performance feedback given to women, compared with that given to men, was less tied to specific business outcomes, regardless of whether the feedback was praise or constructive criticism. 

In other words, men are often encouraged to build up the business while women fall into a more supporting role. This lack of specificity means women have less clarity about the factors contributing to a strong performance and less insight into what they need to do to advance. 

What skills do you think women need today to excel in the corporate world? I’d love to know - just hit reply to this email!

P.S. If you’re within the first five years of your career and want my blueprint on how to take your career to the next level, I’m sharing everything I wish I knew when I started working at a big 4 accounting firm here.