What's Happening?
Jonny McCormick, Managing Director for Europe at Lancia Consult, emphasizes the importance of building critical skills to ensure business success amid constant transformation. As workplaces face growing
skills gaps, McCormick advises organizations to realign their operations to focus on skills that unlock performance, enable growth, or protect the business from risk. He highlights the need for intentional capability-building linked explicitly to business priorities, rather than broad learning programs. Critical skills include data literacy, sustainability expertise, and change leadership, which are essential for maintaining a competitive advantage. McCormick stresses that building these skills is a strategic responsibility for leaders, requiring clarity about the future and courage to invest ahead of demand.
Why It's Important?
The rapid pace of change in the business environment necessitates a focus on critical skills that drive impact and align with strategic goals. As the half-life of skills continues to shrink, organizations must prioritize skills that create true competitive advantage. By investing in targeted development paths, businesses can build confidence, performance, and momentum, ensuring they are prepared for future challenges. This approach not only addresses skills gaps but also positions organizations to shape change rather than merely keep up with it. Leaders who focus on building critical skills will be better equipped to navigate strategic challenges and drive long-term success.
What's Next?
Organizations are encouraged to map the skills needed for their next stage of growth and create targeted development paths to build these capabilities. This involves investing in data literacy, sustainability expertise, and change leadership, among other critical skills. Leaders must engage in strategic planning to identify which skills will make the biggest difference in the next three to five years. By focusing on these areas, businesses can ensure they are prepared to meet future demands and maintain a competitive edge. The shift towards intentional capability-building requires a commitment to investing in skills that align with business priorities and drive impact.
