To thrive in the international business world in this day and age, you’ll need a completely different set of skills than even ten years ago. Global professionals face a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous business environment now more than ever. The abilities required to navigate this new, globalised business landscape are not just the traditional "hard skills". While strong technical knowledge is still required, "soft skills" can mean the difference between survival and true success in a quickly changing business world.

An MBA gives you the strong business acumen that will help you succeed and thrive in the world of business. Here are some of the top skills that you will receive during your MBA studies and make good use of in your career journey.

Critical thinking for decision making

Analysing an issue or problem to reach a solution is known as critical thinking. This can include a variety of topics, but any critical thinking discussion will almost certainly include concepts like scepticism, bias identification, rationality, analysis and evidentiary support. Critical thinking is essentially clear-headed, honest, intelligent and comprehensive thinking, which is no easy task even for the sharpest minds.

Only professionals who can rise above the noise, curate information and generate useful insight can make the right business decisions in a world flooded with data. Making sound judgments, taking appropriate actions and finding better solutions all require critical thinking. An MBA will teach you how to focus on the key points that make a difference

Data and digitalisation

In a world immersed in technology and big data, it has quickly become essential for business leaders to master data analytics. The power of big data can only be a drive for strategic decision-making if accurately and critically analysed.

Today, business transformation should factor in technological development. Business leaders don’t need to be tech experts but need to gain the necessary skillset and mindset on how to operate and grow a business in this new environment.

Emotional intelligence is key

Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management are the four main pillars of emotional intelligence. In a nutshell, this skill refers to your ability to understand your own emotions as well as the emotions of others and be able to influence them.

Emotional intelligence helps in stressful business situations and in adapting to changes quickly. Thanks to exceptional interpersonal skills and a strong sense of empathy emotionally intelligent people are able to work well with others, collaborating and communicating effectively. Regardless of your industry or position, being aware of yourself and those around you can help you gain more control over your interactions and achieve your goals more effectively.

Communication on all levels

Businesses are run by people for people and the manner in which they communicate with one another determines how smoothly that business runs. Employee communication sets the tone for a company's culture and how employees communicate contributes to the company's image and brand.

Communication is the bedrock of any workplace interaction; it facilitates the exchange of ideas, innovations and points of view. Communication allows you to cultivate loyal employees, entice customers to return again and again, find new ones and secure investment. To communicate effectively, you must be proficient in written, verbal and nonverbal, as well as intercultural communication. MBA programs are the best way to gain the tools you need for effective communication in your professional lives.

Time management for efficiency

Time is probably the most valuable resource in business. Planning and prioritising not only add structure to your workday, but they also allow you to work more efficiently toward your goals. Setting deadlines is an integral part of time management and using to-do lists and digital workflow tools to optimise projects can help you stay focused in order to meet your daily goals.

People who are good at managing their time well are more productive and keep up with deadlines. An individual with effective time management skills is a valuable asset to any organisation, because they understand how to prioritise tasks in order to complete the most important ones first. The ability to stay organised will help you and your team move forward.

Evolving leadership

Leadership and management skills are essential to excel at any senior role. And while some people think leadership and management are the same thing, the two are not synonymous. While management focuses on the process, leadership concentrates on the people and vision that guide change. As a leader, you must balance both the end goal and the steps that need to be made along the way.

A good leader must also be able to bring out the best in others, lead by example and have strong values that inspire their team to work in unison. Leadership requires you to understand how to provide your employees and teams with an actionable plan and the motivation to carry it out.

 

Businesses today have to navigate their way in a highly competitive global environment. As a result, figuring out how to get ahead can be difficult. The main ingredient for business success is proficiency in these fundamental skills, which you will hone as an MBA candidate. These skills will stay with you regardless of your career path and will give you the confidence and drive to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment.