In a constantly shifting job landscape, what employers expect from candidates keeps changing. Historically, companies valued two broad kinds of skills: hard skills tied to education and training, and soft skills tied to a person’s abilities. Today, a new asset-based skill set is taking center stage. These power skills form the backbone of personal and professional growth, empowering individuals to perform at their best.
These power skills build on traditional soft skills, emphasizing the empowerment of employees so they can collaborate, communicate, and lead with confidence.
Originating from the global human resources leader Gi Group Holding, which delivers comprehensive HR solutions, this piece highlights ten power skills that are most relevant for advancing a candidate’s career and boosting their job prospects.
List of the 10 Power skills most valued by companies
1. Conflict resolution: Challenges arise often, and a flexible mindset helps identify the core issue and explore viable solutions. This ability keeps teams moving forward, even under pressure.
2. Emotional intelligence: More than simply recognizing emotions, it involves managing mood and well-being to maintain a constructive atmosphere at work.
3. Empathy: Truly understanding others in their personal and business contexts fosters honest, durable relationships built on trust.
4. Teamwork: Strong collaboration hinges on connecting with colleagues, sharing responsibility, and communicating safety and direction clearly to the group.
5. Public speaking: Communicating ideas to an audience can be challenging, but clear, precise delivery helps perspectives gain visibility and impact business results.
6. Creativity: A highly valued trait that fuels new ideas, supports collaborative growth, and helps solve problems when tough decisions are needed.
7. Time management: Planning and prioritizing tasks are essential for meeting deadlines and using time efficiently—key to sustained performance.
8. Personal brand: Building and effectively sharing a professional narrative enhances a person’s reputation and positions them as an ambassador for their organization.
9. Organization: Efficiently managing processes and workflows, along with structuring workspaces, underpins productive teams and steady output.
10. Personal and professional ethics: Core values shape performance and align with a person’s duties and responsibilities, forming the trust basis for long-term success.
Editorial note: The emphasis on these power skills reflects contemporary expectations across industries and regions, including North America. Sourced from Gi Group Holding’s framework for empowering career development and job search, the list serves as a practical guide for candidates aiming to elevate their professional profile.