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Future Skills: The 20 Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World

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The Brand NEW Book from Bernard Marr, bestselling author behind Business Trends in Practice - Winner of Business Book of the Year 2022.

Future-proof yourself and develop critical skills for the digital future

The working world has changed dramatically in the last twenty years and it's going to continue to transform at an even faster pace. How can the average professional stay afloat in an ocean of constant change and technological revolution?

In Future The 20 Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World bestselling author and futurist Bernard Marr delivers an engaging and insightful discussion of how you can prepare yourself for the digital future of work. You'll learn which skills will be in the highest demand, why they'll command a premium price, and how to develop them. You'll also

Strategies for improving human-centered skills, like teamwork and collaboration Straightforward explanations of digital skills, like data literacy and cyber-threat awareness Ways to make yourself an indispensable component of future firms, and practical tips for continuous improvement A can't-miss book for every working professional seeking not just to survive - but to thrive - in the coming years, Future Skills belongs in the libraries of company leaders, managers, human resources professionals, educators, and anyone else with an interest in the future of work and how humanity fits within it.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2022

58 people are currently reading
189 people want to read

About the author

Bernard Marr

64 books123 followers
Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker and Leading Business and Data Expert

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Jung.
1,945 reviews45 followers
March 29, 2024
"Future Skills: The 20 Skills and Competencies Everyone Needs to Succeed in a Digital World" by Bernard Marr explores how individuals can future-proof their careers in the face of technological advancements. Marr argues that as technology advances exponentially, the job landscape is rapidly evolving, with experts predicting that by 2030, 85 percent of jobs will be ones that don't even exist yet. However, Marr emphasizes that this technological revolution doesn't have to detach us from our humanity; instead, it can augment it by allowing humans to focus on creative, social, and intellectual pursuits. In this context, Marr identifies 20 key skills and competencies that individuals need to thrive in the next digital age.

First and foremost, Marr stresses the importance of digital literacy, which encompasses comfort and capability with technologies. With automation threatening traditional jobs, Marr emphasizes the need for individuals to develop digital literacy skills to remain competitive in the job market. Additionally, Marr highlights the significance of data literacy, as data will power the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Individuals need to be able to access, analyze, and communicate insights from data to extract value from it effectively.

Critical thinking emerges as another crucial skill in the face of technological transformations. Marr argues that critical thinking is essential amid fake news and polarization, enabling individuals to analyze information objectively and make informed decisions. By honing critical thinking skills, individuals can cut through misinformation and navigate complex challenges effectively.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is also highlighted as a vital skill for success in the digital age. Marr explains that EQ, which encompasses the ability to perceive, understand, express, and manage emotions, is essential for building relationships, self-awareness, and effective communication. Despite advancements in AI, human EQ remains indispensable for empathy, conflict resolution, and leadership.

Interpersonal communication is another key skill emphasized by Marr. With work communications increasingly happening remotely via digital channels, Marr underscores the importance of honing interpersonal communication skills to convey thoughts effectively. Understanding different communication styles and utilizing appropriate mediums are essential for successful communication in the digital age.

Moreover, Marr emphasizes the significance of diversity and cultural intelligence (CQ) in an interconnected world. With workplaces becoming more diverse, Marr argues that individuals need to develop CQ to collaborate effectively across differences. By fostering equitable and inclusive cultures, organizations can leverage diverse perspectives to drive innovation and success.

Overall, Marr's book provides a comprehensive guide for individuals looking to future-proof their careers in a rapidly evolving digital world. By developing skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication, and cultural intelligence, individuals can thrive amidst technological advancements and contribute meaningfully to society. Marr's insights underscore the importance of embracing change with optimism and dedicating oneself to continuous learning and growth in the face of the digital revolution.
Profile Image for Surattikorn.
125 reviews7 followers
August 24, 2024
คะแนน 5/5⭐
ชอบมากเลยครับ อยากแนะนำ
ในยุคที่เรากังวลว่า AI จะมาแย่งงานหรือเปล่า
ผู้เขียนนำเสนอ 20 ทักษะที่เราควรมีในยุดนี้
ว่าอะไรจะทำให้เราอยู่รอด โดดเด่น และใช้ประโยชน์จากความเปลี่ยนแปลงนี้ให้ได้มากที่สุด
ซึ่งอ่านแล้วก็เห็นว่าควรมีทั้ง 20 ทักษะจริง ๆ ครับ
ผู้เขียนแนะนำว่าเลือกมาซัก 2-3 ทักษะที่เราต้องการ
แล้วตั้งเป็นเป้าหมายของปีนั้นไปเลย เพราะทักษะต้องใช้เวลาฝึกฝน

หมายเหตุ:
ผมอ่านเล่มนี้จาก TK Read เล่มนี้มีไม่จำกัด กดยืมแล้วไม่ต้องรอ ได้อ่านเลยครับ
Profile Image for Katika.
670 reviews21 followers
October 4, 2025
Bardzo konkretna, ciekawa książka, bez zbędnej rozwojowej pustomowy. Prosty język, realistyczne podejście i konkret rozdział po rozdziale.
Profile Image for Fred Cheyunski.
355 reviews14 followers
August 22, 2024
Capabilities Articulated, Yet Could Be More on Imperatives and Necessity - As I was looking into business books, this title caught my eye as a possible useful supplement to other books I have been reading on Artificial Intelligence (AI) use. The book does deal with the capabilities that will be needed as well as well as the rationale for their significance. Yet somehow there could be more attention to the extent and necessity regarding the magnitude of development that may be imperative as Suleyman indicates in his book “The Coming Wave” (see my review).

The book consists of an Introduction, 20 chapters coinciding with the title, and Final Words. Namely, the chapters and 20 skills are as follows: (1) Digital Literacy, (2) Data Literacy, (3)Technical Skills, (4) Digital Threat Awareness, (5) Critical Thinking, (6) Judgment and Complex Decision Making, (7) Emotional Intelligence and Empathy, (8) Creativity, (9) Collaboration and Working in Teams, (10) Interpersonal Communication, (11) Working in Gigs, (12) Adaptability and Flexibility, (13) Cultural Intelligence and Diversity Consciousness, (14) Ethical Awareness, (15) Leadership Skills, (16) Brand of "You" and Networking, (17) Time Management, (18) Curiosity and Continuous Learning, (19) Embracing and Celebrating Change, and (20) Looking After Yourself. There is information About the Author and an Index as well.

Parts that stood out for me included confirmation of the digital and technical skills required, but also the other skills becoming paramount with the advent of AI. For instance, from early on (Kindle Location 694) Marr observes that “Technology is changing our world to such an extent that the majority of children in school today will do jobs that don't yet exist.” Later (in Location 815), he summarizes that “What can be automated will be automated, leaving humans to do the work that we're ultimately better suited to—tasks that rely on distinctly human skills like complex decision-making, creativity, empathy and emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication.” As I read, I couldn’t help thinking of titles like Schwartz et al’s “Work Disrupted: Opportunity, Resilience, and Growth in the Accelerated Future of Work” (see my review).

Going forward Marr admits (in Location 925) that “AI is going to augment almost every job that humans do” the author explains (in Location 929) that “AI (to use the catchall term) is essentially about using data to make more accurate predictions and better decisions.” Further (in Location 996) he indicates that “. . . asking questions such as “Where has this data come from?” “Is this data valid?” and “Is the data biased?” will become important. Continuing (in Location 999) Marr relates that “AI will also be the lynchpin of the metaverse—a virtual world, like the internet” that will become widespread. Given such projections, he conveys (Location 1088) the significance in understanding “. . . how AI and other related technologies will impact life and work” and the importance of such capacities as “critical thinking” and planning to “read more” (e.g., as in Locations 1100 and 2224). Such comments bring to mind other titles that may be pertinent such as Mayer’s “Dear Fellow Time-Binder: Letters on General Semantics” and Wolf’s “Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World” (see my reviews).

While all this is well and good, the book seems wanting in its the slant toward fitting in to current businesses and circumstances. It also appears like Marr downplays the potential rapidity and urgency regarding potential change forthcoming. There is attention to the gig economy and management of one’s personal brand, but it seems that creation of new businesses and forging alternative ways to make a living will also be important. Furthermore, it appears our young people need to be developing the skills they will need now. There is some consolation in that they are maturing within our digital environment and are likely becoming more acclimated than those of us who are older and may have a better perspective for their years ahead (e.g., see my review of Stolzoff’s “The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work”).

Even with my criticism, it is helpful there are those like Marr who are making efforts to identify and encourage development of such “Future Skills.”
Profile Image for Lloyd Downey.
759 reviews
April 9, 2025
It would really be helpful to young people, like my son, who are just finishing up at University and wondering what sort of career they might follow......if we could predict what the future will hold in terms of jobs and careers and businesses. If 2030 seems far away, consider this: it’s estimated that by the year 2025, up to 85 million jobs could be replaced by machines, while 97 million new roles suited to human-AI collaboration will emerge. This transformation will impact all industries......To get started, individuals should assess their current digital skills and tap into resources to help them improve.
Organizations will need data-literate employees to extract value from their data. That means being able to access, work with, analyze, and communicate insights from data....To expand your own digital literacy, start by approaching new tech tools with curiosity. Keep reading, watching informational videos, taking online courses–whatever learning methods suit you best.
Prioritize developing your soft skills, too.
Terminology like dataset–as well as quantitative, qualitative, cross-sectional, and longitudinal data–is useful to know. It’s also useful to know how to identify good data–when it’s accurate, consistent, current, and complete. Data analysis uncovers patterns and trends that can inform decisions, so ask human-oriented questions to identify business challenges
Critical thinking is crucial as technology transforms society.......So what is critical thinking, exactly? It means analyzing information objectively, without biases that distort thinking.
Critical thinkers spot inconsistencies, ask thoughtful questions, determine what’s relevant, and consider consequences before drawing conclusions.
So, how can you practice critical thinking? First, always vet information rather than accepting it at face value- even if you generally agree with it....Consider the source and their motives. ...you also need to question your own biases .....work with a mentor to get feedback.
What’s my overall take on the book? Well it seems a bit superficial. We all know that things are changing fast and computer skills are in increasing demand. But if you are looking to understand what sort of coding you should be learning: forget it. And there appears to be no discussion of a topic which is getting increasing attention and that is a future without jobs where there will be a minimum income for everybody and productive work will be done by robots. ...I recall reading somewhere that Archeologists were likely to be fairly secure in their jobs because there was not enough of it to warrant investing in computers and it required a lot of intuitions and synthesis. But I’m not really convinced of this myself. I think AI and robots that can turn their hand to multiple tasks will soon be displacing workers across the board. Certainly, a lot of experts in AI are worried about these trends.
So the book is a bit limited in my view. Three stars from me.
Profile Image for Imane Errayes.
19 reviews
January 20, 2025
Bernard Marr’s Future Skills is a clarion call for anyone navigating the volatile landscape of the 21st century, offering not just a map of the essential skills for tomorrow but also a mirror reflecting today’s gaps. Marr’s genius lies in his ability to blend practicality with foresight, presenting a toolkit that feels both urgent and empowering.

What sets this book apart is its focus on adaptability. Marr doesn’t just list technical competencies like data literacy or AI understanding; he dives deeper into human-centric skills—critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and resilience—that are increasingly vital in an era of rapid change. His argument is clear: the future isn’t just about mastering machines; it’s about mastering ourselves in a world shaped by them.

But perhaps the book’s most disruptive insight is its recognition that learning itself must evolve. Marr challenges the traditional notions of education and career progression, arguing that lifelong, iterative learning is no longer optional—it’s survival. This isn’t just a guide to staying relevant; it’s a manifesto for thriving in the unknown.

For skeptics of self-help or futurism, Future Skills transcends the genre by rooting its predictions in concrete trends and actionable advice. Marr doesn’t just tell us what to do; he shows us how to build a mindset that will keep us ahead, no matter what the future holds. It’s essential reading for anyone unwilling to leave their future to chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Нестор.
592 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2024
Я уже не первый год отслеживаю посты Bernard Marr на LinkedIn. Как правило, они весьма интересны и познавательны. Но сделать из них книгу у автора полноценно не получилось.

Да, в книге есть и неплохая структура (спойлер, она типовая для каждой главы), и какие-то мысли автора, не прикрытые авторитетом других авторов. Всё же чего-то не не хватило. Ибо получился сборник постов в социальных сетях.

Лично я ожидал от книги гораздо большего, чем размышлений о необходимости планировать свой день, развивать эмоциональный интеллект, не сидеть в телефоне, доводя себе до психических проблем, учиться, управлять изменениями и заботиться о себе (о последнем, кстати, написано лучше всего). О каждой теме написано 20-30 страниц, а ведь даже в самой маленькой книге, к примеру, по изменениям от John Kotter их 108.

Выйду-ка я, кстати, по заветам автора, на вечернюю прогулку. Ведь в том, что нужно каждый день хотя бы 20 минут уделять своему телу и грузить его физической нагрузкой автор прав.
Profile Image for Alex.
53 reviews3 followers
Read
December 2, 2023
DNF, don’t know how much of the book I read in total but I skimmed around a few of the chapters and fully read through a few others.

I think this book would be useful to someone who’s not up to date with tech or business news and is curious about what skills you should be working on to make yourself more adaptable/marketable to the job market now and in the future.

for me though, I was assigned to read this for an MIS class that had already spent half a semester talking about pretty much everything this book was saying, so I thought this wasn’t giving me much in new information and felt sluggish to get through because of it.
Profile Image for Carolyn Fitzpatrick.
890 reviews33 followers
January 20, 2025
An excellent overview of key skills. Many of these have appeared on lists in the past (communication, critical thinging). But Marr addresses them in the context of the digital economy, remote work, and competition with AI. And he includes a lot of emerging skills as well.

The other thing that sets this book apart is that it is not just aimed at the employees acquiring these skills. Each chapter concludes with two to do lists. One aimed at the employee and one aimed at management. These skills cannot be pursued in a vacuum, and require a compatible company culture.
Profile Image for Zoë Routh.
Author 13 books72 followers
October 30, 2022
solid list with executable recommendations

This was an ambitious text with skills ranging from creativity to ethics to self care along with more future focused ones of data interpretation and technological skills.

One addition to the list would be systems thinking, whole of organisation mapping, and other techniques for capturing complexity. Overall a sound list with good recommendations.
Profile Image for Tammy.
2,237 reviews81 followers
May 26, 2025
3.75 stars
At first I though this book is going to at least introducing some interesting look at what skills we need to learn, improve or gain to thrive in the age of AI. I guess this is more for Boomers because as it turns out the book is just a quick and brief introduction into what the future will be needed from us, human....and there's not much of new ideas and those interesting ones are not so much in depth.
46 reviews
December 18, 2022
Generic commentary on trending topics. More like collection of commentaries on trending topics.

Depth of content varies… For instance personal brand - quick Google lookup on articles on personal branding would give more content than what’s covered in the book.

But some other topic like time management the content is more deeper and insightful.
39 reviews6 followers
January 23, 2023
Pretty useful. Concise for its subject matter. And that's a good thing overall. I think we need more books like these and people need to be more interested in them. I can think of 17 skills that I found useful and that I should probably capitalize on. Overall, good stuff. If you're thinking about jumpstarting your career any time soon, give this one a read.
Profile Image for Robyn.
51 reviews
March 18, 2024
This is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking clarity about the specific knowledge, skills and talents employees will need in the future. The author outlines 20 essential skills vital for relevance in tomorrow’s workplace. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or entering the workforce for the first time, this book equips you with the tools to succeed in the ever-changing world of work.
Profile Image for Jeffrey Ning.
251 reviews4 followers
November 28, 2022
Bernard Marr could be a clairvoyant with spot-on 20 skills and competencies that everyone needs to succeed in Industrial Revolution 4.0. He addresses the what, when, why, who, where, and how on each skill. No doubt he covers most aspects except your indifference, inaction or procrastination.
87 reviews3 followers
December 31, 2022
Great business read. The topics felt fresh and up to date. Particularly liked the chapter on Data literacy.
93 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2023
Good summary, not sure everything is as relevant, some tip & tricks that are useful but also some subjects that remain very high level and generic.
Profile Image for Sojel Singh.
15 reviews
May 19, 2025
Definitely something I think entrepreneurs should read! It’s a must! Loved this one.
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