10 New Life-Changing Skills

The book “The 10 New Life-Changing Skills” by Rajesh Srivastava .is a guide for professionals who want to adapt to the changing world of work and thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution. The book introduces the readers to 10 skills that are essential for success in the 21st century, and provides practical tips and examples on how to develop and apply them. Here are some of the lessons from the book:

• Creativity is the ability to generate novel and useful ideas that can solve problems or create value. Creativity can be enhanced by following a process of preparation, incubation, illumination and verification .Creativity can also be stimulated by using techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER, and TRIZ.

• Innovation is the ability to implement creative ideas and turn them into products, services or processes that meet the needs of customers or society. Innovation can be fostered by following a process of ideation, prototyping, testing and scaling .Innovation can also be supported by using tools such as design thinking, lean startup, agile and scrum.

• Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information objectively and logically, and make reasoned judgments based on evidence and criteria. Critical thinking can be improved by following a process of clarification, analysis, evaluation and inference .Critical thinking can also be practiced by using methods such as Socratic questioning, argument mapping, six thinking hats, and lateral thinking.

• Framing the right question is the ability to define the problem or opportunity clearly and precisely, and ask relevant and meaningful questions that guide the search for solutions or insights. Framing the right question can be achieved by following a process of situation analysis, problem statement, question formulation and question refinement. .Framing the right question can also be aided by using frameworks such as SMART, SPIN, CROW and STAR.

• Smart problem-solving is the ability to find effective and efficient solutions to complex and challenging problems that have no obvious or easy answers. Smart problem-solving can be accomplished by following a process of problem definition, solution generation, solution evaluation and solution implementation .Smart problem-solving can also be facilitated by using techniques such as root cause analysis, Pareto analysis, SWOT analysis, and decision matrix.

• Lifelong learning is the ability to continuously acquire new knowledge and skills that are relevant and valuable for personal and professional growth. Lifelong learning can be promoted by following a process of goal setting, learning plan, learning action and learning reflection .Lifelong learning can also be enhanced by using resources such as online courses, podcasts, books, mentors and peers.

• Storytelling is the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively using narratives that engage the emotions and imagination of the audience. Storytelling can be mastered by following a process of story selection, story structure, story delivery and story feedback .Storytelling can also be improved by using elements such as characters, conflict, climax, resolution and moral.

• Influence without authority is the ability to persuade others to support or cooperate with your ideas or goals without having formal power or position over them. Influence without authority can be developed by following a process of relationship building, stakeholder analysis, influence strategy and influence execution .Influence without authority can also be increased by using principles such as reciprocity, scarcity, authority, consistency, liking and consensus.

These are some of the lessons from the book “The 10 New Life-Changing Skills” by Rajesh Srivastava. I hope you found them useful and interesting.