Preparing for the Future of Work

Which statement is true of the relationship between agility and progress in the workplace?

Agile workers are more likely to find opportunities for progress. Agility is the ability to embrace and effectively adapt to change. Because they are comfortable with change, agile workers are indeed more likely to look for and find opportunities for progress that aren't immediately obvious.

Which of the following is most likely to increase your emotional intelligence and strengthen your relationship with others?

Accepting feedback and using it to improve your work Constructive feedback is one of the most effective tools you can use to improve your performance at school, work, or home. You can also improve your emotional intelligence by using feedback.

Which of the following strategies is most likely to help you increase your emotional intelligence?

Actively listening to the concerns of others when discussing a problem

Chloe used to write for a monthly magazine, but now she's working at the news desk of a local newspaper. In her old job, she planned articles months in advance, while in her new job she covers breaking stories and important events every day. Which employability skill will Chloe need most to manage this aspect of her new job?

Agility Agility is embracing change and effectively adapting when things around you are constantly in motion. Working in a more fast-paced environment at the news desk will require Chloe to use her agility skill.

Melanie has worked at a local bookstore for six years, helping to grow a loyal customer base. The bookstore has done so well that the owners are planning to open another location across town, closer to Melanie's home. Which of these would be an agile way for Melanie to anticipate the change that is about to happen?

Approach her employer to discuss taking on a managerial role at the new store Agile people are able to recognize opportunities that are on the horizon and make a change because of them. By approaching her employers to talk about a potential role in the new store, Melanie is using her agility skill.

Which strategy is most likely to help you build your emotional intelligence?

Being able to think critically Part of emotional intelligence is using good judgment when you solve problems through critical thinking. People with the highest emotional intelligence are those who can creatively reason through issues.

Vincent has just taken over as the general manager of a struggling car dealership. He's trying to develop an employee recognition program that will develop agility in his employees and make the dealership more competitive in the modern marketplace. How can Vincent best support the development of agility in his employees?

Celebrate those employees who are willing to try new things, even if it means sometimes missing sales goals

Janet chose banking as a career at a very young age. However, several years later, she changed career paths after adopting a pair of dogs that were rescued from a natural disaster. She now works at a nonprofit organization that finds homes for abandoned animals. Which of the following values is most likely to have motivated Janet to change her profession?

Compassion Our values are the principles that guide our decisions in life. Of these values, Janet's decision to change careers was most likely motivated by compassion for animals and a desire to help those in need. Adopting a pair of rescue dogs is evidence that Janet values compassion.

Which of the following strategies is most likely to make you more empathetic?

Developing the ability to relate to others' feelings Empathy is the ability to identify with another person's feelings. To be more empathetic, we have to develop the ability to relate to others' feelings and emotions.

Which of the following is most likely to increase your emotional intelligence and strengthen your relationship with others?

Imitating people whose qualities you admire Part of emotional intelligence is observing and imitating those you admire, especially those with keen awareness skills.

Terrence, a teacher, wants to provide each of his 90 students with a full page of feedback on their recent essays, because he knows how important it is for their learning. However, he also knows that it will take him at least two months to finish grading and return the essays if he does so. Which strategy should Terrence apply in this situation to develop his agility?

He should focus his feedback to avoid diminishing returns that will occur if he waits two months to return the essays. Terrence's goal is admirable, but his process risks diminishing returns because feedback must be timely. By waiting that long to provide his students with feedback, Terrence's process is losing value. Being agile therefore means seeking a better balance between timeliness and quantity of feedback.

Penn was recently hired as a billing specialist in a dental office. On his first day of work, he's unsure of whether or not he should ask patients to pay upfront for their dental visit, or if he should bill the insurance company first and collect any remaining balance from patients later. Which strategy should Penn apply in this situation to develop his agility?

He should ask someone else in the office so that he learns the appropriate process. Recall that agile people are inquisitive and focused on learning. Penn should ask what the appropriate process is and fill the gap in his knowledge.

Anjali previously worked at a large radio station, where she reported to the station manager. She now manages the radio station for a small town. At her old job, Anjali's manager allocated work to the teams, while at her new job, she is responsible for determining what her team will work on. Which employability skill will Anjali need most to manage this aspect of her new job?

Initiative Initiative is thinking independently, seeing what needs to be done, and taking action without being prompted. Making leadership and planning decisions for projects at the station requires Anjali to use her initiative skill.

Which effect does status quo bias have on progress in the workplace?

It can be a barrier to progress, because it discourages people from embracing change. Status quo bias is the preference for keeping things as they are. When an individual or a group of workers hold this bias, it can indeed be a barrier to progress.

Why is initiative an essential skill in today's work environment?

It encourages you to proactively solve issues even before you are asked to do so. When you develop your initiative skill, you are developing the ability to think independently, identify what needs to be done, and take action without being prompted about it.

Which of the following strategies is most likely to help you develop empathy and compassion?

Recognizing that you may have had privileges that others did not Empathy is the ability to identify with another person's feelings. Recognizing that you may have had privileges that others did not is one way to develop your empathy.

Rahul has been a successful investment banker for 10 years. However, in his 40s, he now feels unsatisfied both professionally and personally. He decides to spend the weekend thinking about what is most important to him at this stage in life and who he considers a role model. Which process is Rahul undertaking to better understand what direction he needs to take?

Self-reflection Rahul is undertaking the process of self-reflection to better understand what direction he needs to take. Self-reflection involves asking yourself questions to get at the core of who you really are and what you want.

After college, Michael decided to start his own clothing company that uses biodegradable packaging instead of plastic packaging to reduce its carbon footprint. What is the most likely motivator for Michael's decision?

Social responsibility

When the customer help center for an appliance manufacturer switched from phone calls to an online messaging tool, employees had to be reskilled to use the online tool appropriately. Which of the following skills did the employees need to develop?

Technology The technology skill is being able to confidently and effectively use technology to be productive, complete goals and tasks, and maintain a competitive advantage. The employees needed to develop their technology skill to effectively use the online tool.

Olivia plans to bake a cake for her daughter's birthday party. The night before the party, a dozen more family members confirm that they will be joining the celebration. Because of the last-minute confirmation from guests, Olivia drops the idea of baking a cake and instead buys cupcakes for the party. Which of the following skills is Olivia demonstrating in the given scenario?

The agility skill Olivia demonstrates the agility skill as she effectively adapts to the change in plan and makes changes as required.

Ava used to regularly visit her grandchildren who live in another state. But lately, she is unable to meet with them due to a global pandemic. Instead, Ava has started exploring and using different software applications on her smartphone and computer to stay in touch with her grandchildren. Which of the following skills does Ava demonstrate in the given scenario?

The technology skill In the given example, Ava demonstrated the technology skill as she began using technology to meet with her grandchildren when she could no longer travel to see them in person.

Yaseen is a team lead and often gets impatient with Diane, a team member. After a recent meeting where he inadvertently embarrassed Diane, Yaseen realizes that Diane was very uncomfortable. He decides to invite her for coffee to get to know her better and make her feel more comfortable. What trait of social awareness does Yaseen demonstrate in this scenario?

Understanding the effect of his behavior on someone else People who are self and socially aware exhibit a number of positive characteristics. They know their strengths and limitations; they understand the impact their behavior has on others; they value self-knowledge and continually work to improve themselves; and they ask for feedback and use it for self-improvement. In this scenario, Yaseen examines his actions and understands the effect of his behavior on Diane.

Which reaction to change is most likely to drive progress in the workplace?

Viewing change as an opportunity for growth and improvement Change in the workplace is inevitable. Viewing change as an opportunity for growth and improvement is part of having an agile mindset that will set you up for success.

Raphael has always been fascinated by the human body and how it fights disease. Even as a young boy, he enjoyed reading books and watching shows about how the body works. Because of this, he decides that he will study medicine after college. Raphael's decision to study medicine is motivated by his __________.

interests Interests are things that pique our curiosity and motivate us to learn more. Raphael has demonstrated a long-standing interest in the workings of the body, and his decision to study medicine is a reflection of this interest.

Which of the following strategies is most likely to help you demonstrate empathy at work?

Engaging in conversation with people different from yourself Empathy is the ability to identify with another person's feelings. It is the ability to relate to the fundamental humanity of another person, even if that person appears to be unlike ourselves. Engaging in conversations with people who you believe are different from you helps you work with more empathy and compassion.

Matthew has been an emergency room nurse for 15 years. When he graduated from his nursing program and began working in the emergency room, he felt energized and excited to be there. He particularly loved being able to help people in moments of crisis, and he took great pride in his skills. Lately, though, he feels as though his mental health is suffering. He dreads going into work, and he feels resentment toward his patients, which then triggers a cycle of guilt, resentment, and more guilt. He particularly dislikes having to be inside all day, and would rather work outside in nature. It's gotten so bad that other nurses and doctors in the emergency room have commented on how unhappy he seems.

He should consider making a career change that would align better with his preference for working outside. Matthew's emotional state suggests that it is time for him to make a change. Although working in a hospital was once a good match for his values, interests, and preferences, it may no longer be so. Given the degree of his dissatisfaction, he should consider a career change that will align with his preference to work outside.

Raphael is an engineer for a company that designs renewable-energy storage devices for national distribution. He likes his job, because he and his colleagues are all passionate about fighting climate change through clean energy solutions. Raphael is also happy in his personal life. He and his wife have recently welcomed their third child, and they made the decision that his wife would stay at home for the next several years to raise their young children. Lately, however, Raphael has been feeling less fulfilled at work than usual. Sometimes he wishes that he could be doing more to increase awareness of climate change and generate support for clean energy initiatives within his local community. What change would likely be the best way for Raphael to feel more fulfilled?

He should consider volunteer opportunities that would allow him to make an impact in his community. Because Raphael is still relatively satisfied professionally, a major change is probably not necessary. He would likely benefit from pursuing local volunteer opportunities, because that would align his passion for environmentalism with his desire to impact his community, without any financial trade-offs that a job change might incur.

Steve, an auto mechanic, has always loved working on cars. Even as a teenager, he enjoyed taking vehicles apart, learning about their internal workings, and putting them back together. When he graduated from high school, he was thrilled to immediately begin working in an auto repair shop. Now that ten years have gone by, however, he has begun to feel somewhat bored and stagnant in his career. He still mostly likes his job, but he misses the enjoyment he felt when he was first learning about cars. He would also really like to earn more money. What change would likely be the best way for Steve to feel more fulfilled?

He should investigate certificate programs related to auto mechanics that will give him a specialized skill.

Ted has seven younger siblings, and he has always enjoyed helping to care for them and teaching them new things. When he applied to college, he considered schools with strong elementary education programs, but he convinced himself that it was a better career path for women than for men. Ultimately, he applied to an engineering program. Which of these factors motivated Ted's decision?

His cultural bias Cultural biases are beliefs held about people and situations based on messages that come from within a cultural group. Ted's decision not to pursue teaching appears to be motivated by the cultural belief that teaching young children is a profession best suited to women.

Why is relationship building an essential skill in today's work environment?

It helps you cultivate long-lasting networks that can be used to achieve your goals. Relationship building is a skill in which you effectively work with others and establish, cultivate, and leverage networks over time. Nearly 85% of all job openings are filled through personal connections.

Why is self and social awareness an essential skill in today's work environment?

It helps you diagnose your weaknesses and understand how your actions impact others. The self and social awareness skill helps you understand your strengths and limitations and recognize your thoughts, emotions, and intentions. It also makes you open to receiving feedback and identifying how your behavior might impact others.

Why is technology an essential skill in today's work environment?

It helps you use social media and other websites to promote your business effectively. When you develop your technology skill, you are able to confidently and effectively use technology to be productive, complete goals and tasks, and maintain a competitive advantage. The self and social awareness skill helps you be more receptive to feedback and analyze the impact your behavior might have on others.

Krystal is a nurse at a pediatric clinic. In the middle of a shift, the clinic's computer system fails, and she is unable to update patient records. Which of these would be an agile way for Krystal to adapt to this unexpected event?

Pivot to paper documentation while the computer system is down Agile people are able to adapt to unexpected events with optimism, open-mindedness, and proactive problem solving. By pivoting to paper documentation while the computer system is down, Krystal is using her agility skill.

Sam works in human resources for a major corporation. He recently hired a person to join the sales team. Usually, Sam conducts a thorough review of any prospective employee's social media accounts to make sure that they don't have any objectionable content. This time, however, he forgot to do so. Two months later, it was discovered that the new employee had a history of broadcasting hate speech online. The employee was terminated, and Sam was deeply embarrassed by his mistake. Which of these would be an agile way for Sam to recover from what just occurred?

Reflect on why this step was overlooked and how to prevent it from happening again Recovering from a setback with agility involves treating it as a learning experience for the future. By reflecting on why this step was overlooked and how to prevent it from happening again, Sam is using his agility skill.

Kelly is an emergency room physician. She is frustrated by how difficult it is to get doctors from different hospital departments on the phone at the same time when a care plan needs to be created for a new patient. She develops a secure messaging system that everyone can access more easily to make the process simpler and less wasteful of everyone's time. Which strategy should Kelly apply when making this change to the care plan process?

She should propose a limited trial of the secure messaging system, so that the idea can be tested and feedback can be collected. By identifying a need and developing a new process, Kelly is already being agile. To stay agile, she should test out her new idea to see how it performs, collect feedback, and iterate as needed.

To meet the rising demand for its finished products, Xenon Inc., is automating its manufacturing process. However, most of Xenon's employees prefer the previous process and are finding it difficult to adjust to the new methods. Which of the following employability skills should the employees at Xenon develop to help them in the given situation?

The agility skill Xenon's employees need to develop their agility skill so that they can embrace the change and effectively adapt when things around them are constantly in motion.

Linda manages multiple projects and often loses track of the progress made on each of them. To address this issue, she develops a personalized project tracker that helps her stay up to date regarding the progress of each project. Which of the following skills does Linda demonstrate in the given example?

The innovation skill The innovation skill helps in thinking creatively and coming up with new ideas and solutions to solve old problems. Therefore, Linda demonstrates the innovation skill.

Nisha wants to attend a weekend computer programming course offered by a prestigious university. But the university is a 3-hour drive away and Nisha is low on time and gas money. Instead, she decides to take the course from home during the week using the university's online portal. Which of the following skills does Nisha demonstrate in the given scenario?

The problem solving skill Nisha demonstrated the problem solving skill as she identified a problem (lack of time and money), explored ideas, and arrived at an effective solution.

Kai regularly takes refresher courses to keep up to date with innovations at work. He uses the knowledge he gains to automate manufacturing processes at his company which helps to lower their operating costs. Which of the following employability skills is Kai demonstrating in the given example?

The technology skill Kai is demonstrating the technology skill because he's applied the technological knowledge gained from his coursework to his factory in order to increase productivity. This skill enables individuals to confidently and effectively use technology to be productive, complete goals and tasks, and maintain a competitive advantage.

Anya is a people manager who conducts annual performance appraisal meetings with her team members. At the end of these meetings, she makes it a point to ask her team members if they have any suggestions for her and whether she can do anything differently to be a better manager. Which trait of self and social awareness does Anya best demonstrate in this scenario?

Willingness to use feedback for self-improvement People who are self and socially aware exhibit a number of positive characteristics. They know their strengths and limitations; they understand the impact their behavior has on others; they value self-knowledge and continually work to improve themselves; and they ask for feedback and use it for self-improvement. In this scenario, Anya is demonstrating the characteristic of being willing to use feedback for self-improvement.