How can leaders 'futureproof' themselves?

While you ramp up efforts to futureproof the workforce, are you doing enough to get yourself future-ready?

At a recent Women’s Forum Asia summit attended by HRD, several leaders shared top tips how they’re getting ready for the uncertain future.

One panellist shared that it should go beyond cultivating lifelong learning skills for your job – you need to consider all aspects of your life, professional and personal.

“My ‘futureproof’ secret is it’s not just about lifelong learning skills,” said Chris Kimmell, executive vice president and studio manager for EdTech at EF Education First.

“It’s about learning about life, like how do you figure yourself out there and take advantage of all the [opportunities] and know things will work itself out.

“It’s about living life to the fullest, but that’s [just me], constantly seeking…opportunities and seeking success in my relationship with my wife, my daughter, and my work.”

READ MORE: What does the ‘leader of the future’ look like?

Another panellist looked to learnings in her personal life as well for her tip on getting future-ready. Lay Lim Teo, senior managing director at Accenture Singapore was a competitive tennis player growing up. Her father always accompanied her to her training sessions and shared life lessons that have stuck since.

“[My father] said that you must want to win, but you can’t be afraid to lose,” Teo said. “That has [stayed with] me in my life – because it means you just have to put yourself out there.”

She pointed out several innovative entrepreneurs, like the founders of Airbnb, who became successful simply because they had an idea and “went for it”.

“I look forward to a future of work where it doesn’t matter where you start,” she said. “Starting a business is just a step, so I think look at all the possibilities, put yourself out there and believe.”

In the same vein, panellist Connie Heng, partner at Clifford Chance said it’s about being brave. The experienced lawyer and D&I advocate also shared a message targeted at the female leaders in the audience.

“I think it’s good to work on generally being brave,” Heng said. “There’s always a little voice at the back of my head and I think it does relate to a lot of women – you know, thinking, ‘Should I do this? Am I good enough?’

“There’s always that question…But somehow, I walk in there and say, ‘Okay, just breathe and don’t be afraid to lose’.

“The other point is we need to be brave but also understand that you may not always be right in the job.”

READ MORE: How can leaders thrive in the future of work?

Instead of worrying, she said everyone should be confident that they’ll pick up the necessary skills along the way.

And while picking up new technical skills is “almost always a given”, leaders should always keep in mind that work is mostly about interacting with other people – and cultivating soft skills requires more “substance”.

“Lastly, look for your champions within your organisation and be a champion among yourselves,” Heng said.

“More often, the people you’re dealing with have doubts and questions in their head. Because you understand them, you need to believe in them and encourage them to take the next step.

“I hope [in the future of work] more women can be champions of other women and there will be more diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”