Member Article

Latest research finds creativity is the most in-demand soft skill for 2020

The latest research conducted by LinkedIn found that creativity is the most in-demand soft skill companies need in 2020.

This research is yet another piece of the jigsaw that reflects the fact that we are living in exponential times of rapid change in which the key skill needed by people is creativity. Supporting research from The World Economic Forum suggests that the three most in demand skills by 2022 will be complex problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. IBM’s global survey of business leaders also states creativity as the most important leadership competency for the future.

Research suggests that 98% of five year olds have genius levels of creativity, but by the time they reach adulthood this has reduced to a meagre 2%. This doesn’t bode well when organisations require people who can creatively approach problems and tasks across all business roles. However, if we were to deconstruct the barriers built on the journey to adulthood so that ideas might be generated freely, this opens up a person’s imagination to new possibilities. In so doing, creative behaviour can be taught and learned.

It is therefore imperative that governments, policy makers and business leaders look towards equipping those they are responsible for, with the knowledge, skills and understanding of what creativity is, and how everybody has the potential to be creative.

Drew Rowlands, deputy chief executive at IVE explains why: “The reason this is so imperative is because the competencies that make us creative are the same ones that will make us resilient to change and agile to the uncertain times in which we live. They embed in us: how to generate ideas freely; how to make connections between diverse contexts; to be comfortable with ambiguity; embrace failure as part of the learning process and therefore grow in resilience; take calculated risks; to question and challenge in order to create new solutions; and collaborate effectively in order to drive productivity”.

We Are IVE are passionate champions of creativity and have spent the last 23 years researching how to effectively develop this characteristic in others. They have a range of short courses designed to instil confidence and capability in others to leverage creativity for business and individual success.

Drew continues: “In the training we offer, we look to demystify the term ‘creativity’ and drill down into how to unlock the capacity to generate ideas. We also examine the behaviours that are needed for creativity to be developed and explore how to establish the right environment in order for creativity to be nurtured. Those who have experienced our training have found it to be pivotal in enabling transformation to happen”.

Mat Parker, ECITB account manager EDP and South of England previously participated in creative training at We are IVE, he said: “The training stimulated a non-linear thought pattern/approach to managing any given situation, project or environment. The best leaders are those that defy convention and this training very much throws the notion of convention to the winds and instils the knowledge and confidence to embrace ambiguity; perfect for the current landscape!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tori Lynn .