You might assume that moving into a leadership position means that you already have the skills you need to succeed, but everyone benefits from a long-term learning strategy.
It takes commitment to advance to a leadership role, as you strive to prove you have the skills needed to lead others in the workplace. By the time you make your way up the career ladder, it is a fair assumption that you have all of the skills you might need ready to go, but that often isn’t the case.
Whether you are an early-career hire, or an established employee working out the last few years before retirement, everyone needs to have an upskilling plan that ensures they are keeping on top of changes and the needs of the working environment.
So, with that in mind, which skills should employees looking towards a future in leadership prioritise?
Agility
In today’s shifting landscape, one of the most important skills a future leader can have is the ability to transform and move with the changing times. In 2026, the workplace is being impacted by a range of factors, from the technological wave that is AI and the DEI response to the climate crisis, to mass global layoffs and increasing worldwide political tensions.
Anyone looking to get ahead needs to be agile, ready to learn and unlearn in a short space of time, so they can help others through the chaos. Agility can be learned in a number of ways. For example, by experimenting with new ideas, technologies and processes, by being receptive to challenges and new opportunities, by seeking out constructive feedback and making the commitment to learn and grow from mistakes in a positive way.
Basically, if you as the leader can’t roll with the punches, how can you expect your team and co-workers to?
Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EQ), that is the ability to strongly identify, use and control your emotions, is fast becoming a coveted workplace soft skill – perhaps as a response to rapidly changing global workplace dynamics. A true benefit in the working environment, skills in this space can enable leaders to ascend the career ladder quickly, improve cohesion, enhance trust, navigate risk and, overall, create professional spaces for people to get their work done.
To improve EQ, employees should focus on other skills that lend themselves to higher emotional intelligence such as improved listening, clear communication, adaptability and critical thinking. As this particular skill depends on grouping a range of other abilities together, workshops, online courses and tutorials can be a more straightforward and convenient way to upskill in this area.
Transparency
Openness and transparency in the workplace are critical to maintaining a content and productive atmosphere, in which important conversations and decisions can be made. To ensure a good start in your leadership journey, you should adopt a mindset of honesty. This can be achieved by being aware of your own limitations, addressing skills gaps, be they yours or co-workers, by ensuring that relevant information is not siloed and by embracing feedback. By creating strong channels of communication, through face-to-face meetings, online engagement and regular reviews, leaders show that they are committed to developing a cohesive and collaborative working culture.
Strategy
When you first start in a leadership position it might be tempting to just ‘go with the flow’ and not ‘rock the boat’ for the first few weeks. Which is a fair plan, as you need time to acclimate and get your bearings.
However, before too long you may find that part of this new professional experience includes making long-term plans and knowing how to strategise for the future. Having a strategic vision is about the ability to plan ahead, spot trends and patterns and ask the important questions before challenges arise.
Professionals who want to work on their strategic thinking skills should work to expand their idea of the bigger picture, for example by attending industry-relevant events, networking with experts and following industry-relevant reports, surveys and announcements. Professionals should strive to ask smarter questions and should be open to exploring new avenues, as a means of discovering what works, what doesn’t work and what could be improved.
Career-goers in leadership roles could also benefit from an in-depth knowledge of how various different ecosystems interact with and impact one another, as more and more we see workplace dynamics and expectations morphing.
Perhaps most importantly, leaders should ensure that they take the time to reflect on their strategies and their overall approach to leadership. Changing your style as the landscape changes around you is not a sign that you have made a mistake, but rather that you recognise that your responsibilities are evolving and so must you.
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