The Five Super Skills for a Squiggly Career: How to Future-Proof Your Work Life

Unlocking Self-Awareness, Resilience, Networks, Purpose, and Possibility

In today’s workplace, technical know-how and experience are no longer enough to guarantee success. The most valuable employees—and the happiest professionals—are those who master a set of 'super skills' that help them navigate uncertainty, change, and opportunity. Based on the insights from 'The Squiggly Career' and the latest research, here’s how you can develop the five essential skills for a thriving, future-proof career.

1. Self-Awareness
Everything starts with knowing yourself. Self-awareness means understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. It’s about regularly checking in with yourself—through journaling, feedback, or personality assessments—to make sure your work aligns with what matters most to you. For example, a software engineer who realized her top value was creativity shifted from routine coding to a more innovative, project-based role, reigniting her passion and productivity.

2. Resilience
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from setbacks—it’s about bouncing forward, using challenges as stepping stones for growth. Build your resilience by developing habits that recharge your energy, seeking out feedback, and viewing failures as learning opportunities. One manager, after being laid off, used the experience to pivot into a new industry, discovering skills and strengths she never knew she had.

3. Building Strong Networks
No one succeeds alone. Strong networks provide support, challenge, and access to new opportunities. Invest time in nurturing relationships with mentors, peers, and even those outside your field. Give as much as you get—offering help builds trust and can lead to unexpected collaborations and career moves.

4. Finding Purpose
Purpose is your personal 'why'—the thread that ties your work to your values and aspirations. It evolves over time and can be discovered through reflection, experimentation, and feedback. Write a purpose statement and revisit it regularly to stay grounded and motivated. Purpose-driven professionals are more engaged, resilient, and satisfied with their careers.

5. Embracing Possibility
A squiggly career is full of opportunities to try new things, learn new skills, and pivot in unexpected directions. Stay open to possibility by saying yes to stretch assignments, side projects, or lateral moves. Curiosity and a willingness to experiment are the keys to unlocking new paths and keeping your career fresh and exciting.

Mastering these five super skills won’t just help you survive the squiggly world of work—they’ll help you thrive, whatever the future holds.