The 3 Key Skill Sets You Need to Master by 2030

The business landscape continues to evolve, and independent consultants are often at the forefront of these transformative shifts. The demand for specialized expertise is on the rise, making it crucial for you to adapt and equip yourself with the right skill sets to ensure success today and in the future.

In such an environment, staying relevant and competitive requires more than just industry expertise or previous experience. To stay ahead, you must embrace a mindset of continuous learning and development and prepare yourself with the right skills for navigating the future. Just what are those vital skills? In this article, I’ll cover the three skill sets that need to be mastered to thrive in the future of consulting.

How Much Do Skills Really Matter? 

The world is constantly moving, and so are the companies that operate within it. While no one can predict the future, it is clear that today’s business environment will not be the same landscape as tomorrow. If you only rely on previous experience, you’ll quickly be out of the consulting game. A stellar reputation is important - but it’s far from the only thing that matters. 

Today’s business leaders are looking at more than your resume. They seek to understand where the market is going and the best ways to get there. Along with that, they are doing more due diligence into what support their organization really needs. But what are the areas that really move the needle for them specifically? According to LinkedIn, the skill sets for today’s jobs have changed by approximately 25% since 2015, with that number expected to double by 2027. Agility and adaptability are two character traits that will serve tomorrow’s consultants well. 

In truth, the skills that set you apart from other professionals have a heavy influence on your chances of securing future consulting jobs - while those relying only on their reputation will be left behind.

The Three Key Skill Sets Consultants Need in Today’s World

Critical thinking, problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and technical knowledge are the cornerstones of successful consulting. Assuming that you have these skill sets already, let’s take a look at the qualities that are most important for the coming years.

Following current trends, I predict that these three consulting skill sets will be in high demand for future consulting engagements:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI). This first one probably isn’t much of a surprise. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are some of the sectors taking the world by storm right now. However, many people dismiss AI advancements as only a technology topic. The truth is that AI has the power to completely transform businesses of all sizes, across industries. Though AI solutions might be implemented by technology staff, they will be used across finance, HR, marketing, and sales - nearly every department. Consultants should be incredibly mindful of what’s happening in the business landscape with AI. Many companies will turn to consultants to implement AI tools, so it’s important that you have an understanding of where AI can be most helpful and how to integrate different platforms into daily functions.

Furthermore, knowing how to set up tools is only part of the work that will be in demand. Understanding how to utilize the resources most effectively and where to apply future resources will also be essential. One of the most significant benefits of AI advancements is that the time savings enabled by automation allow leaders to spend more time on people development. This brings me to the next core competency.

2. Leadership skills. As departments free up time using AI and other automation, they will have additional resources available. We suggest spending this newly created time on people. Modern leadership skills require a high degree of emotional intelligence, which doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Remember, potential clients are looking to you to lead them into their next phase - so it’s key that your leadership skills are apparent from your initial conversations. If you know you need to brush up on your leadership skills, there are plenty of resources available to you.

Some areas that will be particularly helpful to focus on are: 

a) Strategic thinking — In order to set priorities, make smart decisions, and execute effectively, you must understand the bigger picture and how to make choices that result in a net positive for your client. 

b) Delegating — To make the best use of your time and resources, you may need to lean on others for certain tasks. Ideally, moving smaller projects off your plate will free up time to think more strategically, which is important for achieving objectives over the long term. 

c) Change management — It’s been said that change is never easy, and most organizations will tell you that’s true. Successful leaders work with employees to plan, implement, and monitor changes that are necessary for meeting company goals. 

d) Interpersonal communication — The best leaders use their talent for communication to motivate, inspire, and persuade others to take the best course of action. To create a positive and collaborative work environment, you should focus on improving your overall communication skills. 

e) Management skills — Most leadership roles involve some level of planning, organizing, and directing resources and personnel. A great manager understands the desired results and how to leverage both tools and people to achieve acute and long-term goals.

3. Resilience. As mentioned above, the skills required to operate successfully are going to change quickly. Many organizations will find themselves short on the resources that they need to accomplish their latest goals, including people, processes, and platforms. Furthermore, the pandemic and subsequent economic slowdowns disrupted the workforce and impacted many businesses' ability to respond and react. It will require a high degree of adaptability to manage an increasing workload with a shortage of skills. In many cases, these companies will turn to external resources to bridge the gap. Consultants must maintain a balanced and realistic mindset while pivoting when necessary to achieve the best outcomes. What is certain is that consultants who focus on staying ahead of the curve by being knowledgeable about the latest trends will have a significant advantage.

Create a Personal Development Plan for Needed Skills

One of the first, best steps toward upskilling is establishing a plan to develop yourself and your skill set. Many companies make these development plans a focus, but often independent consultants don’t have the time. However, it’s worth making the time for a key development strategy. How will you get where you want to go if you don’t build a clear roadmap? Create a yearly plan that includes the major topics you hope to learn more about and how you will obtain this knowledge. 

Once you have listed the topics and skills that will be most important to you or most applicable to your work, document the tactics you’ll use to dive deeper. This will require some market research, but you should be able to find various avenues for getting up to speed. Some of the things I suggest are in-person events, books, and podcasts. There are many free events you can attend to learn more and build a network, and it’s also worth paying for events that align with your overall strategy - it’s an investment in your future. Some people also host events that market their skills while expanding their network. Hosting events is a win-win. You can use the opportunity to establish yourself as a thought leader while also building community and creating connections around your personal brand. 

The specific channels you’ll use for research will depend on your area of expertise. The particular associations, newsletters, and events that pertain to finance are different from those targeted toward HR leaders, for example. You’ll have to do your own research and see what makes sense, but the key is intentionally adding these channels to your personal development plan - and then following through. Personally, in my journey to become knowledgeable on AI, I’ve been keeping up with the major newspaper handles and their weekly AI newsletters. They do a nice job explaining market trends and providing helpful overviews that can offer value to my clients. Additionally, I pay close attention to a variety of online events. Right now, I’m intrigued by the topic of leadership and how the requirements of a strong leader are changing, so I’m seeking out thought leadership, events, and personal connections in this space.

The particular skill sets that will be most in-demand for you depend on your specialization, but it’s safe to assume that AI, leadership skills, and resilience will all be necessary for remaining competitive and creating future business opportunities in the year 2030 and beyond.

For more education about winning projects as a management consultant or interim executive, follow us on LinkedIn, where you’ll find a variety of insights, trends, and expertise supporting you in a rapidly changing working environment.