In 2015, Devex published an article titled, \u201c5 Things to Know About the Next Generation Development Professional.\u201d The author outlined the following five traits required of a future development worker:<\/p>\n
Fast forward to 2025; some of these traits remain relevant, but the world has changed significantly. We aren\u2019t thinking like integrators anymore, but more like systems thinkers. The funding landscape has drastically transformed with the closure of USAID. Investing in education and learning skills is essential, but AI is reshaping the future of learning and how we will upskill. As for soft skills, they continue to be a top priority in any workplace. Harvard Business Review (HBR) also published an article under the Managing Yourself topic, titled \u201cThe New Rules of Executive Presence.\u201d They\u2019ve been tracking these for over a decade and have recently highlighted the traits of an executive leader. These traits include inclusiveness, respect for others (both soft skills), listening skills, presence, and authenticity, to name a few.\u00a0 [2]<\/a><\/p>\n These are all important; however, Dr. David Rock\u2019s book, \u201cYour Brain at Work,\u201d has led me to question whether managing and overcoming distractions is a critical trait and skill that has been overlooked for our present age.[3]<\/a> The rise of social media is associated with a surge of information and distractions for leaders, putting considerable pressure on our brains with \u201cimmediate crises.\u201d that need attention or information that does not lead to solving any of the crises. As a leader focused on driving performance and effecting change, managing the information in our \u201cmental stage\u201d is essential. Rock asserts that \u201cwhile you can hold several chunks of information in mind at once, you can\u2019t perform more than one conscious process at a time with these chunks without impacting performance.\u201d He also notes that smartphones can undermine our ability to think effectively and diminish our IQ.\u00a0 [4]<\/a><\/p>\n As I reflect on the evolving challenges in the workplace and society, Rock\u2019s book has made me realize that:<\/p>\n Given that the \u201cbrain is easily distracted, and distractions have a significant energy cost,\u201d I suggest that the idea of working smarter through the application of strategies to overcome distraction and regain focus should be a critical skill of both the present and, arguably, the future[5]<\/a>. The strategies suggested by Rock not only apply to the workplace or leadership roles but can be useful for youth as well. Learning how to create meaningful patterns, and prevent over-arousal of the limbic system can help us make better decisions on all fronts. With a quick scroll at your news\/social media feed, you\u2019ll likely see a pattern of distractions emerging from the highest political offices in the land, within organizations, institutions, and the general public. Meanwhile, injustices, climate crises, and economies continue to suffer due to \u00a0lack of attention to what is critical. If I were to rewrite the Devex and HBR articles, I would suggest including Rock\u2019s ideas on working smarter as a key skill of the future. What do you think?<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> https:\/\/www.devex.com\/news\/5-things-to-know-about-the-next-generation-development-professional-86399?utm_source=email&utm_medium=next_generation_aid_worker&utm_campaign=ca_ntr&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRokvKrIe%2B%2FhmjTEU5z17u4oXKK1gokz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMTcpkPL7YDBceEJhqyQJxPr3DJNUN0ddxRhbkDQ%3D%3D<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> https:\/\/hbr.org\/2024\/01\/the-new-rules-of-executive-presence<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Rock, David. Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long. <\/em>NY: HarperCollins, 2020.<\/p>\n\n