Tim Taylor’s Post

12 traits to future-proof you? Yep. In our era of AI and crazy-rapid change, which traits, skills and capabilities make you future-proof? There are twelve that every organization needs: 1. Adaptability: The ability to quickly adjust to new situations, technologies and challenges is now a job requirement. 2. Critical Thinking: Analytical skills are needed to assess information, solve problem and make informed decisions. 3. Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential to convey ideas and build relationships. 4. Digital Literacy: Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms is a “table stakes” requirement now. 5. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions, as well as empathizing with others, fosters teamwork and conflict resolution. 6. Creativity: The ability to think outside the box, innovate and generate new ideas drives growth today. 7. Resilience: The capacity to bounce back from setbacks, manage stress and maintain a positive attitude is more important than ever. 8. Teamwork/Collaboration: Collaboration skills, working well in diverse teams and leverage everyone’s strengths, are essential today. 9. Continuous Learning: A growth mindset and a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development future-proof you. 10. Ethical Leadership: Integrity, accountability and ethical decision-making are essential to sustainability, diversity and corporate social responsibility. 11. Accountability: Taking ownership of one's actions builds trust and credibility. Time management is part of this, too. 12. Problem Solving: The ability to identify, analyze and resolve complex issues efficiently and effectively reduces friction. So, how do you identify these traits? - Performance reviews? - Resumes and job history? - Diplomas? - Inference? Nope. How about solid, science-based assessments? Well-structured (and validated) assessments can identify all of these traits in less than an hour. And that data will establish a skills cloud showing all of the capabilities — at the nano level — for your organization. Imagine the data-driven insights (with AI and data analytics tools) you will reveal? What do you think? ********* P.S. Repost to help your network and let’s connect! ♻️

These are the durable skills that employers consistently tell me they want and need. We developed a tool specifically to reveal these.

I talk often about this idea of “specific knowledge”. I’ve made it a career goal to cultivate it in myself and my team. And to collect other folks who have it. But what is it? How do you know someone has it? How can you cultivate it in yourself or your team? If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you realize a lot of folks are posers. They act like they know how to do something, but they don’t. Or they act like they’re elite when they’re just getting started. To be clear, I have no problem with folks learning. Everyone starts somewhere. Kudos for going on the journey. But you’re not yet a pro. (I’ll give you some tips later for how to get there faster): This is only getting worse with AI. I think these tools will raise the bar on what mediocrity looks like. They can make you competent. But I don’t think they can make you elite. Specific knowledge is: 👉  Learned in the field, not in the classroom. 👉  Impossible to automate – certainly now, potentially in perpetuity. 👉  Observed by other people. What they say about you matters more than what you say about yourself. 👉  Niche. Deep, not wide. 👉  Not 101 or “for dummies” stuff. It’s detailed. Nuanced. Pattern recognition developed over years, across dozens or hundreds or thousands of iterations. I think cultivating specific knowledge is vital for success in your career. In a world that will be upended by AI, cultivating deep expertise becomes more valuable, not less. Some ideas on how to get there: 👉  Be obsessed. It’s hard to go deep enough unless you love it. 👉  Identify your strengths. It’s possible to become good at most things. But elite does have an element of natural gifting to it. Identify those areas and lean into them. 👉  Be patient. This takes years. 👉  Focus on reps. You only get better by doing the work. Work for free if you have to. Whatever it takes to get the reps in. 👉  Don’t obsess over the money. The world is a big place. I think if you become truly world class, there will be more than enough opportunity for you, regardless of domain. Specific knowledge is rare and valuable. It’s worth seeking out in others. And worth developing in yourself.

What is the most important thing you can do more often to make almost everything else easier? That thing is reading—becoming better at it by doing it consistently. I’ve always been an avid reader, enjoying the process of learning. I believe that each time you finish a book, the ideas that resonate with you are often the ones most personally relevant. These ideas shape your opinions and help you understand yourself better, clarifying what’s truly important to you. However, for a long time, I found myself reading general non-fiction or whatever caught my eye, without much direction. While that approach is great for broadening perspectives, I’ve discovered a more effective strategy that I’ve recently adopted. This method involves focusing solely on books that address your current business challenges. Read only the books that are highly regarded in the specific area you need to improve—whether it’s system development, team culture, or sales skills. Why is this better? Because the knowledge you gain is immediately actionable, allowing you to apply it in real time and solidify the lessons through practical use. By focusing on widely recommended works, you’ll often encounter repeated themes, reinforcing those critical skills. From there, it’s just about putting those insights into practice, dramatically improving your business operations. Try this method and watch your business bottlenecks disappear. The only thing standing in your way is yourself. Upgrade your skills by reading books that target the areas where you need the most growth. (Ever notice how LinkedIn sometimes bugs out and doesn't post your content, or is that just me?) I hope this helps! I’m Richard, using AI to help businesses grow and make a lasting, positive impact on our world.🌍

If you want to reach the top 1%, here’s what it takes: 1. Discipline First. Always. •Set big goals. •Say “no” to distractions. •Don’t waste time on social media or TV. •Use every hour to grow and improve. 2. Thrive in Discomfort. •Success means hard work and sacrifice. •Push yourself, even when it’s tough. •Don’t look for easy ways out. 3. Build Efficiently with Automation. •Save time using AI and automation tools. •Automate small tasks, like follow-ups and messages. •Use tools like Make.com and GoHighLevel to work smarter, not harder. √Free up your time for important tasks. 4. Move in Silence. •Stop telling everyone your plans. •Let your success show your progress. •Failure is a lesson, not the end. •Each failure makes you stronger. 5. Relationships Should Be Purposeful. •Spend time with people who inspire and support you. •Avoid time-wasting conversations. •Use AI tools to keep professional relationships strong. •Automate communication where possible to save time. 6. Take Care of Your Health. •Stay active and exercise. •A healthy body supports a focused mind. •Health gives you energy to keep moving forward. 7. Focus on Respect, Not Validation. •Don’t try to please everyone. •Create your own path. •Respect comes from delivering quality work. •Fitting in is not your goal; making an impact is. 8. Learn from Others’ Mistakes. •You don’t need to fail to learn. •Study people who’ve succeeded—and failed. •Avoid common mistakes by learning from their experiences. The Key Points •Be disciplined and stay focused. •Use AI and automation to work more effectively. •Push through hard times without shortcuts. •Respect and purpose should drive your actions. •Health and learning are your foundations. ••••Remember: High-value professionals are always improving. They are clear on their goals, use smart tools, and stay relentless. Be that person—focused, efficient, and always growing.

"The biggest risk is not taking any risk." - Unknown In a world where AI and entrepreneurship are reshaping the landscape of work, these words ring truer than ever. To thrive in this era of rapid change, we must be willing to embrace new opportunities, acquire essential skills, and take bold leaps forward. Here are the 5 key skills that we believe will set you apart in the future of work: 1. AI and Machine Learning Proficiency: Dive headfirst into the world of AI. Get hands-on experience with Python and explore powerful frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch. Remember, it's not just about understanding the concepts; it's about applying them to solve real-world challenges. 2. Data Analysis and Visualization: Data is the lifeblood of modern business. Master the art of extracting insights from raw data using tools like SQL and Python libraries. But don't stop there—learn to communicate your findings through compelling visualizations that captivate and inspire. 3. Business Acumen and Entrepreneurial Mindset: As Simon Sinek reminds us, "People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it." Develop a deep understanding of business fundamentals and market dynamics. Cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit by embracing problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability. Identify opportunities, create value, and dare to innovate. 4. Collaboration and Communication Skills: No great achievement is a solo endeavour. Foster strong collaboration skills and learn to communicate effectively with diverse teams. Master the art of translating complex technical concepts into language that resonates with non-technical stakeholders. 5. Continuous Learning and Adaptability: In a world where change is the only constant, continuous learning is not an option; it's a necessity. Embrace new technologies, tools, and methodologies with open arms. Cultivate a growth mindset and actively seek opportunities to expand your skill set. We challenge you to take the risk. Invest in yourself and acquire these skills. The journey won't be easy, but the rewards will be worth it.

There's one thing I wish I'd learned sooner in my career. To embrace the uncomfortable feeling of growth. There are lots of things I'd tell my younger self to do... here are just a few: 📗 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 Don't just wait for training opportunities. Seek them out. Use every bit of your professional development budget. It's there for a reason! When possible, fund your own learning. ❓𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 No, but for real. ASK. If it's unclear, ask for clarity. If there's no deadline, ask how urgent it is. If you don't understand the purpose, ask how it fits in. 📝 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Learn to say no. Or at least, not right now. Not every task is urgent. Be okay with telling people they have to wait. Set your daily to-do list based on what will move the needle. If someone requests something, don't drop everything and context switch. 💭 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 Don't just do your job. Think bigger. Understand the strategy behind your role. Thinking this way will help you stand out in your company. 👩🏻💻 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. No one, I repeat, NO ONE knows everything on day one. Not even the biggest bigwigs. Don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise. 🤖 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗜 Ok, so this one would've required a time machine... But I'm here for it! Embrace the AI and make it work FOR you. What do you wish you could tell your younger self about work?

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 (𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤) In our line of work, “scope” can feel like a hard line in the sand. Scope creep can indeed kill your margins. But here’s the thing: sometimes real solutions mean stepping outside that line. Learning how to be flexible while not shooting yourself in the foot has been key to our success at Soal Labs. For us, flexibility isn’t a hassle; it’s a core part of how we operate. If solving a client’s problem requires us to go a little beyond, we do it—often suggesting simpler, more efficient solutions that might even mean fewer hours for us. Recently, we were working with a client who wanted us to build a feature-rich AI data analyst. But after really digging into their goals, we advised them to build less. We encouraged them to focus on the main obstacle stopping more people from adopting their product, rather than adding more features. It wasn’t the easiest advice for us, but it was the best advice for them. Does this mean sometimes we’re doing work that wasn’t scoped? Sure. Does it mean we’ll recommend what’s truly best, even if it shrinks the project? Absolutely. Because when we take on a client’s problem, it becomes our problem, and we’re all about what works best, not what looks good on paper. In the end, we want partnerships built on trust and results, not just billable hours. This mindset isn’t for everyone, but for those who get it—it makes all the difference.

Every day, our LinkedIn feed is flooded with posts about artificial intelligence and automation, and it's no surprise that many people are concerned about their future in the workforce. As someone who has been studying these topics for some time, I believe that a skills shortage is imminent, and companies adopting a skills-based approach are one step ahead. One skill that's becoming increasingly relevant is creative thinking. Reflecting on how you can apply artificial intelligence and automation within your scope of work, running experiments, and making use of them as opportunities to do more of what takes you to a flow state is key. Instead of resisting, embrace them to live a more creative life.

Independent Critical Thinking 🤔 … it’s the skill I’m most curious and interested in developing. In a world filled with chaos, drama, distractions and mirage, the question I seek to answer is “What is truth?” Not “your truth,” real truth. Truth is NOT conditional, situational, convenient, or manipulative. Truth is NOT created through the written word, elaborate productions, AI, etc Truth is NOT slight of hand, slight of meaning, or change of context. Who do you believe? Why? How do you know you can trust them? How did they arrive at truth or is it “their truth?” In my professional world of finance, numbers appear to be truth, yet numbers like words can be manipulated to present a version of the truth For example, would you be happy with an average return of 10% annually? Many would say, emphatically, YES!!! Yet, $100,000 invested over 10 years, with 100% return in year 1️⃣, followed by a loss of 10% the next 9 years is indeed an average of 10% annual average over 10 years. FYI, final amount after 10 years would be approximately $77,484.10. Would you be ok with that being true for you? Most would say even more emphatically HECK NO! Questions and questioning can be useful and when taken to an extreme paralizing. So what’s the balance? How are you seeking truth, staying curious, expanding awareness, applying some form of the scientific method (the 7 step process for investigating and learning from your middle school science class) in your daily life… For me reflection, journaling, and deep meaningful conversations with challenge are essential, it’s why I created my Men’s accountability group What about you?