A drive to grow, creativity, empathy – the most in-demand traits in the 2023 job market

The prolonged global economic crisis, with no end in sight, is forcing the business world to rethink its value systems. Recognizing that the constant pursuit of revenue growth is becoming increasingly challenging, many companies are shifting their focus from financial metrics to employee well-being, seeking individuals with the skills to help the organization adapt to changing times and achieve long-term success.

A growth mindset is set to be one of the most important soft skills in 2023. Companies are placing a higher value on employees who are willing to learn, adapt, and are not afraid of failure. There is a prevailing belief in the business environment that such individuals will help the team more easily weather the shocks brought on by the looming economic downturn.

Creativity and communication skills will also take center stage this year, as those who can successfully implement innovations, introduce small but effective improvements, and negotiate more favorable terms will fare better in the competitive landscape.

As office work is replaced by a hybrid model with a significant remote component, employees who can focus on tasks without supervision are worth their weight in gold. The ability to stay disciplined and resist the distractions of social media and other interruptions is becoming increasingly vital in the modern world.

The shift in global trends means that even more will be expected of business leaders this year. To meet this challenge, companies must ensure highly efficient operations by implementing useful digital solutions. This will reduce the time spent on routine tasks for both employees and managers, allowing more opportunities to focus on improving the internal team environment. The scope for digitalization is vast; our survey shows that only 6.3% of Latvian companies have fully transitioned to digital document workflows, while all others still prepare reports and statements on paper. 12.8% have not implemented any digital solutions at all, explains Viesturs Slaidiņš, head of Jumis.

Leaders are expected to become empathetic figures capable of uniting their teams, listening to employees, and achieving financial goals simultaneously. A survey conducted by the research firm Gartner across 60 countries found that 82% of employees want company management to view them as individuals rather than just labor. This means that this year, managers will need to address not only professional issues but also personal ones, including helping employees regain motivation, manage their financial situations, and improve their overall well-being.