The old saying goes that there are decades where nothing happens, then weeks where decades happen. If I can take that phrase and butcher it slightly, the past few years in the workplace have seen some of the biggest upheavals to how we work in generations.

The combination of WFH, shifting consumer tastes, integration of AI, increasing flexibility and global uncertainty means the skills we need to face this new world are very different to the capabilities that most of have learnt. Data from LinkedIn last year found that 70 per cent of the skills we’re going to need at work will change within the next five years.

Want to get ahead at work this year? You’ll need to get familiar with these five skills.

To help you navigate these – and yes, increase your chances of a promotion at work this year – these are the five slightly surprising skills that will help you stand out from the pack in 2026.

The first skill is judgment. This is the ability to know which problems you should focus on, what to outsource and when you need to slow things down in a workforce constantly pushing for more speed.

As AI gets integrated........

© The Sydney Morning Herald