Why basic reading and writing skills still make a difference in the workplace

As the workforce is bracing itself for the digital revolution, upskilling is the name of the game. Chances are the skills you learned in school will need to be updated and adapted to meet demand for new skills. In fact, Deloitte estimates that the half-life of a job skill is about five years – and rapidly falling. That means you have five years after learning a skill before having to relearn and update.

However, there are some classic skills that seem to be immune to this phenomenon and show no signs of going out of style any time soon – literacy skills. The ability to write, read, speak and listen to communicate most effectively is important in nearly every job. Coincidentally, good writers and communicators are becoming harder to find.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve half your day trying to decipher cryptic emails, you’re not alone. According to a study by Carleton University, a typical office worker spends a third of their work week reading and writing emails.  Many find this aspect of their job to be the most stressful – between trying to comprehend poorly-written emails and agonizing over how to write clear emails themselves. And email isn’t the only thing workers have to read or write. The average worker will also have to read or write reports, presentations, memos, proposals and more.

One of the best ways to make yourself indispensable to your company, regardless of industry, is to strengthen your writing skills. With automation around the corner, the skills that robots cannot master like creativity and emotional intelligence will be more in-demand than ever. Enhancing your writing skills with these features will help you stay ahead of the curve.