Being innovative

The adaptable mind

12 minutes

Summary

People all over the world answered the question: What are the skills we need to flourish in the 21st Century? In a world evolving with technology, the following 5 skills are crucial for success and thriving in any profession:

Curiosity

Curiosity is crucial in a world flooded with information. It involves going beyond surface knowledge and engaging deeply with ideas. Piqued curiosity activates regions associated with learning, memory, and reward in the brain.

Creativity

Creativity is not limited to the arts; it's essential in all contexts. Connecting ideas in new ways with a unique perspective is key. Creative thoughts often occur during moments of wandering or daydreaming.

Taking Initiative

Taking the first step and being proactive is vital. Without initiative, ideas may get lost in the multitude of thoughts generated daily. It involves using intuition, judgment, and discernment to act on ideas.

Multidisciplinary thinking

Multidisciplinary thinking is crucial, involving collaboration across ages, races, genders, and cultures. Collaboration requires an open mind and understanding what you know and don't know. Empathy is central to collaboration, understanding others' motives and feelings.

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to sense and understand the feelings of others. It develops around the age of five and can grow stronger throughout life. Connecting deeply with people is essential in a connected world.

Simultaneously, human skills are as important as knowledge. The shift towards a human economy emphasizes qualities that machines lack. Human skills, such as empathy, collaboration, and creativity, have been essential throughout civilization.

Tiffany Shlain & Let It Ripple Studio

Tiffany Shlain is an American filmmaker, artist, author and the founder the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

Let it Ripple is a nonprofit film and idea studio whose films have won 60 awards and been viewed more than 50 Million times.