Happy December!
To support you in being F.I.R.S.T. (Future-Ready. Innovative. Relevant. Strategic. Trusted.), here’s 1 tip and 1 quote.
The F.I.R.S.T. Tip
2025 has driven home something that we have always known, but is now even more relevant than ever, due to the rapid pace of change and disruption:
Those who thrive in the coming years won’t necessarily be the most experienced; they will be the most adaptable, relational, and empathetic; the ones who can navigate change, work well with others, and lead with empathy.
This is echoed in reports from several reputable organisations, which highlight that the top 5 in-demand skills for the next few years (in alphabetical order) are:
- AI literacy
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Empathy
If you look closely, these skills point to the same thing:
The future belongs to people who can learn fast, think deeply, connect well and lead with humanity. These aren’t checkboxes; they are human differentiators.
Here’s how you can strengthen each of these:
1. AI Literacy
AI may not replace you, but people who use AI well certainly will.
That’s why you need to let AI handle the heavy lifting (summarising, drafting, analysing patterns) and focus on honing your judgement, creativity, and critical thinking, so that you can make best use of whatever it generates.
Tip: Spend 10 minutes a day to explore any AI tool that boosts your productivity and frees you to focus on more meaningful work.
2. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking helps you make thoughtful decisions. Remember, reacting quickly in a fast paced environment is good. Pausing long enough to choose wisely and avoid unnecessary wasted effort is even better.
Tip: Before jumping into solutioning, ask: “What problem are we really trying to solve?”
This single question sharpens focus and improves outcome.
A client once shared that his team was scrambling to fix what looked like an urgent issue; delays in processing customer requests. Everyone was proposing quick fixes. Then someone asked: “Before we fix anything; may I ask, what problem are we really trying to solve?”
That question changed everything. The team realised the delay wasn’t the real problem. The entire workflow needed redesign.
By stepping back for a closer look, they improved turnaround times, reduced errors, boosted morale, AND even saved costs.
As the manager later shared, “We started off trying to fix a delay. Critical thinking helped us to improve the whole system.”
3. Communication
Ideas are only as powerful as our ability to communicate them. People who can express their thoughts clearly and confidently stand out in every role, industry and situation.
Tip: Before you write or speak, define the one sentence outcome you want.
Example : Leading a Meeting, before speaking, ask yourself:
“I want everyone to leave this meeting knowing what they need to do, with what and by when.” Try it. You might be amazed to see how purposeful the meeting becomes.
4. Collaboration
The best of teams, despite the best of intentions, often end up ‘cooperating’, rather than ‘collaborating’. The difference is like the gap between a university athlete and an Olympian. Both are strong, but the level of synergy, trust, consistency and results is completely different. The good news? Teams make that leap when they strengthen trust and psychological safety.
Tip: In your next team conversation, ask:
“What perspectives haven’t we heard yet?”
When people feel safe enough to share openly, things quickly move from cooperation to collaboration.
5. Empathy
Empathy strengthens our ability to adapt, connect, and lead with humanity. The best thing is that it need not be taught; most people already have it.
Tip: Help them realise the magical value that an empathetic leadership style can unleash, they will do the rest.
Ready to help your people stay future ready?
At Influence Solutions, we work with organisations to equip leaders with the human capabilities that matter most in a fast-changing world.
👉 Talk to us about helping your people stay agile, confident, and relevant in 2026.
The F.I.R.S.T. Quote
