Author: Gareth Loudon

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New study suggests creativity is the most needed skill by companies

A new study by LinkedIn Learning found that the most needed soft skill by companies in 2019 is Creativity. The top five skills listed were:

1. Creativity
2. Persuasion
3. Collaboration
4. Adaptability
5. Time management

The top five hard skills needed by companies were:

1. Cloud Computing
2. Artificial Intelligence
3. Analytical Reasoning
4. People Management
5. User Experience Design

It is also worth noting that “57% of senior leaders today say soft skills are more important than hard skills.”

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Strategies to enhance your creativity

Check out the six strategies you might want to follow to enhance your creativity, that Gareth Loudon shared as part of his university work with the AHRC funded project called Clwstwr Creadigol, The project aims to put innovation at the core of media production in South Wales. The academic team is a collaboration between Cardiff University, the University of South Wales and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

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Public Lecture on ‘Being Creative: Our Purpose in Life?

This is a video of Gareth Loudon’s inaugural Professorial Lecture where he shares his thoughts on why creativity is important for our own happiness, for the happiness of others and for our learning and growth. He highlights different ways creativity can manifest, and presents some of the key factors that affect our creativity, including the role of purpose and our ‘state of being’. Finally, he reflects on the implications for how we educate our students, and how we run our organisations.

Note that he refers to a video clip in histalk of a famous try in rugby which could not be recorded for copyright reasons, so follow this link to watch it.

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New Report on “Creativity and the Future of Skills”

Interesting new report by the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre on “Creativity and the Future of Skills”. Three key findings in the report:
 

“1. Creativity is likely to be even more important in the future job market… 

2. Employers don’t just value creativity alone: they need talent with project management and organisational skills too…
 
3. Creative occupations don’t have a monopoly on creativity”… Examples given of other occupations requiring creativity include “engineers, manufacturing and business development roles.”