Dear Human Resources

Our regular columnist, Aidan Stoate, New Zealand CEO at Inspire Group, shares his heartfelt insights into leading people.

Deal with that task now, and I promise you, future Aidan will thank you for it…

There’s nothing quite like the promise of an impending reward to drag you out of the depths of domestic procrastination. And my partner was right, of course. If I fold and put away the pile of clothes now, tomorrow I will be grateful for the clean, tidy house I’ve made (and the opportunity to do something – anything –other than housework for the rest of the weekend).

But being kind to the future self often requires more than just motivational words of wisdom from a patient partner. It demands discipline, no small degree of forward-thinking, and a selfless commitment to action in the present that only tomorrow’s version of you will really benefit from.

This concept applies just as much to building skills for the future as it does to folding laundry. In a world that’s changing faster than ever, learning how to prepare for what’s coming – when we often don’t even know what that is – can feel overwhelming. But there are ways to set yourself up for success, no matter what the future holds. This is where HR can undertake a pivotal role for organisations that are required to be future-ready, and resilient, by supporting people in the following.

Cultivating Adaptability

The ability to pivot, to learn on-the-go and embrace uncertainty is perhaps the most critical future skill. Technology, industries and even entire job markets are evolving rapidly. People who thrive aren’t necessarily those with the most expertise but those who can adapt quickly, reframe problems and stay calm under pressure.

FOCUSING ON FOUNDATIONAL, TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

While technical expertise is important, it’s the human skills – communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and creativity – that are proving invaluable across all industries. These are the traits that machines can’t replicate, and the ones that help us work better with other humans in complex, ever-changing environments.

Committing To Lifelong Learning

Gone are the days when you could acquire a qualification at a young age and ride it out until retirement. Whether it’s through formal study, online courses, workshops, podcasts, or simply reading more widely, the people who will thrive in the future are those who never stop learning. And, crucially, they don’t wait until they ‘need’ to learn something, they build the habit now.

Being Intentional With Your Time

Building future-ready skills doesn’t have to mean overhauling your life. It’s about small, consistent investments: 20 minutes a day reading something new, contacting someone in a different field for a conversation, or setting a goal to learn one new tool or platform each quarter. These small steps, compounded over time, build serious momentum. Ultimately, building skills for the future isn’t about predicting what’s coming; it’s about being ready for anything. Like folding the laundry today so you can watch football and play records tomorrow, it’s a gift to your future self.

And trust me, future you will thank you for it!

Aidan Stoate is the New Zealand CEO of Inspire Group, an award-winning learning design consultancy that delivers worldclass solutions to organisations globally. Aidan has a passion for helping organisations improve their culture and performance through innovative learning and development interventions. As an ICF-accredited organisational coach, Aidan provides subject-matter expertise for the design and delivery of leadership programmes, while leading the Inspire Group New Zealand business across all projects and disciplines. Having led organisations and teams in the United Kingdom, South-East Asia, North America and Australasia, Aidan brings a nuanced perspective while promoting inclusive, engaging and contextualised solutions that drive genuine behaviour change and strategic benefits.