– Le Matin

“The future cannot bepredicted, but it can be prepared.”
— Maurice Blondel

This quote is especiallyrelevant during the COVID-19 crisis, a time when it’s difficult toforesee how jobs and industries will evolve. What is certain, however,is that our future success depends on the behaviors and skills wedevelop today.

That’s why self-developmentis more essential than ever as we navigate the post-COVID transition.

Rather than wait, we must buildupon the skills we've uncovered or sharpened during lockdown. These will beour strengths for managing uncertainty and embracing new opportunities.

The Silver Lining of theCrisis

The COVID-19 pandemic and theconfinement it imposed forced us to adopt new ways of working, which inturn allowed us to:

• Discover hidden professional     strengths
• Reassess our true     capabilities
• Develop skills we     might have previously ignored

Some once-overlooked abilitieshave now become critical for thriving in today’s workplace, including:

• Solidarity and     empathy
• Crisis management
• Remote work     adaptation
• Stress resilience
• Responsibility and     self-leadership
• Agility in facing     change

According to Hassan Charraf,Vice-President of the International Center for Development and Cooperation,these competencies will be in high demand in the future—regardless ofhow job markets evolve.

The Skills of Tomorrow AreEmerging Today

JihaneLabib, ICF Mentor-Assessor andPCC-certified coach, agrees:

“We won’t overcome this crisiswith yesterday’s skills.”

Now is the time for activereflection and self-investment. It’s about taking charge instead of feelingstuck or consumed by negative thinking.

But how can we strengthenprofessional skills while still confined at home?

Digital Learning Is the NewNormal

The digital world hasradically transformed how we learn. In addition to practicing your skillsdaily, you can:

• Follow free     online resources shared by coaches, psychologists, and HR experts
• Join virtual     coaching sessions
• Access online     support services tailored to career development

Out of solidarity, manyprofessionals are making their expertise accessible online to helpothers break through limitations and grow their capabilities.

The New Competencies toPrioritize Post-COVID

This global experience haschanged the rules of the game. To move forward, organizations and individualsmust cultivate a new skillset.

Here are the top skills wemust embrace:

1.  Innovation Mindset

We must become a nation ofinventors. Leaders and decision-makers must think creatively and fosterinnovation at every level.

2.  R&D and CreativeStimulation

Companies should invest in researchand development, using formats like hackathons to spark creativityand problem-solving.

3.  Work-Life Balance as Strategy

A new global approach isneeded—one that promotes balance between professional investment andpersonal well-being.

This includes prioritizing

• Family life
• Community     involvement
• Holistic wellness

4.  Dual Education and UniversityIntegration

Promote alternatingwork-study models, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Universities must:

• Embrace full   digitalization
• Encourage faculty    research publication
• Mentor applied     research and innovation

5.  Resilience and Wisdom

These human skills must be massivelycultivated among employees, managers, and citizens.

We must learn to

• Accept the     unexpected
• Extract lessons     from challenges
• Conduct honest,     realistic self-assessments

Identifyareas for growth with clarity and sincerity