Last updated June 30, 2025

In this article

• What are durable skills?
• 8 durable skills that can future-proof your career

It’s no secret that advancing technology and AI are changing the way we work. Some things that humans used to do, like write emails or analyze data, can now be done in seconds with the click of a button. However, while these tools can be helpful, there’s something they will never be able to do: be human.

Even in our digital world, there are still skills that make humans irreplaceable in the workplace. Humans (you!) can think outside the box, build relationships, and solve complex problems. These skills are part of a larger skillset known as DURABLE SKILLS. Let’s dive into what durable skills are and how they can help you achieve long-term success! 

What are durable skills?

Durable skills are essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life. They’re skills that are built early in a person’s career and grow over time, staying relevant in any job or industry they work in. They help a person adapt to challenges, build strong relationships, and create meaningful opportunities for their future. 

In a world where AI is reshaping many things about the way we work, employers still look for people with uniquely human strengths. In fact, research from our friends at America Succeeds found that, of 80 million job postings from 2020-2021, 7 of the 10 most requested skills were durable skills. Simply put, durable skills will never go out of style.

8 durable skills that can future-proof your career

Get to know eight durable skills that will benefit you in every role:

1. Adaptability: Embracing change and overcoming challenges along the way. 
2. Collaboration: Working effectively with others to achieve common goals.
3. Communication: Clearly expressing ideas while actively listening to others.
4. Confidence: Believing in your abilities and self-advocating.
5. Creativity: Thinking outside the box to generate original ideas. 
6. Critical Thinking: Analyzing situations to solve problems logically and effectively.
7. Growth Mindset: Continuously learning and self-improving. 
8. Leadership: Guiding and inspiring others toward shared success.

The best part about these? You’re already building them now in school, at work, and in your daily life! Whether you ask a teacher for support on an assignment, care for a family member, or join a sports team at school, you’re developing critical durable skills that will last a lifetime. The more you learn and connect with other people, the sharper your skills will become.

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Last updated June 26, 2025

In this article

• What is a growth mindset?
• Why a growth mindset matters
• Actionable ways to embrace a growth mindset
• Why a growth mindset is a lifelong skill

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t—you’re right.” This quote from Henry Ford captures the idea of a growth mindset–a mindset that can help you be sure of yourself and your capabilities! Watch the video and read more below about how a growth mindset—a key durable skill—helps you persevere through setbacks and continuously improve!

What is a growth mindset?

Having a growth mindset is about believing you can improve at anything with effort and persistence. It’s the difference between saying “I can’t do this” and “I can’t do this yet.” It’s about having trust and belief in yourself that you can do anything you put your mind to.

Why a growth mindset matters

With a growth mindset, you can view school, work, and things in your personal life as opportunities to try new things. You can also view any challenges that come up as chances to grow, not just barriers preventing you from success. As you build a growth mindset, you will learn from your mistakes and come to believe that you can get better with persistence and effort.

Employers desire candidates embracing a growth mindset because they’re adaptable and ready to learn. While a candidate may have the knowledge or skill set necessary to enter a job, there will always be new things to learn. Being open to new information and new ways of working will go a long way in any job!

Additionally, as AI use becomes more common in school, our personal lives, and at work, it has the potential to weaken our critical thinking skills and desire to learn new things. Having a growth mindset can help you overcome this tendency and work with AI to learn new information and skills!

Actionable ways to embrace a growth mindset

Here are a few specific ways you can develop a growth mindset:

Reframe mistakes as lessons

If you fall short or make a mistake in school or at work, take some time to reflect. What could be done differently next time? What did you learn from the experience? Being able to reframe your mistakes as lessons can help you better prepare for whatever comes your way next time.

Track progress, not just success 

Whether you’re trying to become a better baker or learn how to budget your money, try tracking any progress you make on a weekly or monthly basis. It can be easy to only track success—like saving your goal amount of money or perfecting a recipe you’ve been working on—but progress is just as important! Focusing on growth in addition to results can help you stay motivated.

Why a growth mindset is a lifelong skill

A growth mindset supports everything from career success to your personal well-being! No matter what you’re trying to achieve in work or life, if you believe that you can grow, you will be fueled by what you can learn rather than what you already know. 

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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Last updated June 26, 2025

In this article

• What is leadership?
• Why leadership matters
• Actionable ways to grow your leadership skills
• Why leadership is a lifelong skill

Anyone who wants to take initiative, build confidence, and create positive change in their communities can build solid leadership skills that will benefit them personally and professionally for years to come. Watch the video and read more below about how leadership—a key durable skill—helps you inspire, guide, and motivate others! 

What is leadership?

Leadership is the ability to motivate others toward a shared goal. Your communication, decision-making, and example-setting all make up who you are as a leader. It’s not just about the power or title you have, but about your ability to step up, solve problems, and help others succeed. Growing into leadership skills can help you become who you want to be at work, school, and in life. 

Why leadership matters

Employers desire candidates with strong leadership skills who can take initiative, make decisions, and rally others to achieve success. In fact, leadership is one of the most in-demand durable skills, appearing in millions of job postings across nearly all industries! Who wouldn’t want someone who is willing to lean into new projects, creatively resolve issues, and help make tough decisions? 

In the age of AI, leadership has become even more important. While AI can automate tasks and systems, it can’t inspire or motivate people. It can’t check in on teammates or make the deep connections necessary to make a workplace thrive. This kind of care and attention is something only a leader can do! 

Actionable ways to grow your leadership skills

Here are a few specific ways you can grow your leadership skills:

Take initiative 

Doing things without being asked—also known as taking initiative—is a key part of leadership. Take some time to consider areas of your life that you can take initiative in. Whether you’re cleaning up the kitchen without being asked or helping a classmate who’s struggling in class, you are modeling the behavior of a leader! 

Encourage others 

When someone does something well, take a moment to celebrate and encourage them. This can be a fellow member of your sports team or a coworker at your part-time job. Recognizing others builds them up and creates a culture of support! 

Why leadership is a lifelong skill

Leaders aren’t perfect! They’re thoughtful, willing to learn, and committed to the people around them. They don’t wait to be given permission—they act to create a culture of support and learning. As many workplaces lean more heavily into AI, human leadership matters more than ever. AI can’t uplift, unite, or motivate people the way that a leader can!

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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Last updated June 26, 2025

In this article

• What is communication?
• Why communication matters
• Actionable ways to grow your communication skills
• Why communication is a lifelong skill

Good communication can help you express yourself clearly, build relationships, and resolve conflicts–both in your personal life and in your career! Watch the video and read more below about how communication—a key durable skill—helps you build trust in a professional setting!

What is communication?

Communication isn’t just about the words you say, but how and when you say them, and how well you listen to others. It’s not about listening to respond, but listening to understand. Effective communication is essential because it helps you build trust, set boundaries, resolve problems, and advocate for yourself and others. 

Why communication matters

We all communicate every single day. Whether you’re answering a friend’s question, writing an email to a teacher, presenting in class, or explaining a mistake to your manager, how you communicate affects how people see you and whether they can rely on you. Strong communication leads to collaboration, teamwork, and respect. That’s why employers consistently list communication as one of the top skills they look for when hiring! 

Although AI can write emails and even summarize the communications others have sent to us, it doesn’t have a human touch. AI can’t determine whether your coworker is feeling stressed based on her body language or notice a change in tone of your manager’s voice. Only you can! AI can’t replace the complex and very human dynamics in work, school, and life. That’s why it’s up to us to learn how to be effective communicators.

Actionable ways to grow your communication skills

Here are a few specific ways you can strengthen your communication skills:

Practice active listening

Listening is an essential part of communication! Test out your active listening skills with a friend or classmate. During your next conversation, make space for them to share their ideas and chime in with small verbal cues like “That makes sense” or “Tell me more.” You can also incorporate your body language into active listening by making eye contact and avoiding checking your phone while they speak. Not only does active listening help others feel heard and valued, it also strengthens your memory, empathy, and ability to respond thoughtfully.

Ask clarifying questions

Closed mouths don’t get fed! If you don’t understand something in school or at work, be sure to ask questions to get the clarity you’re looking for. Try asking follow-up questions to a teacher if you don’t understand a class concept or a member of your school club if you aren’t sure what your responsibilities are that month. You can ask questions like “Can you walk me through that again?” or “Could you give an example?” Asking questions shows confidence and prevents misunderstandings. It signals to others that you care about doing things well and aren’t afraid to learn!

Why communication is a lifelong skill

Communication is a lifelong skill that affects all areas of your life. Your ability to express and understand feelings and desires through language is priceless! In a world full of fast messages and automated replies, authentic communication stands out more than ever.

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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Last updated September 4, 2025

In this article

• What is confidence?
• Why confidence matters
• Actionable ways to grow your confidence
• Why confidence is a lifelong skill

Arthur Ashe, an American professional tennis player once said, “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”

Confidence, like Ashe points out, is a belief in your abilities mixed with the courage to plan and take action. Confidence may come easier to some than others, but it’s an essential skill that can be built over time! Watch the video and read more below about how confidence—a key durable skill—helps you bring energy, initiative, and leadership to any role in life!

What is confidence?

Confidence helps you speak up, try new things, and quiet self-doubt to achieve your goals. It’s not about being perfect, but trusting yourself even when you don’t have all the answers. Even if confidence doesn’t necessarily come naturally to you, it’s a skill you can build over time. It’s just like a muscle! The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.

Why confidence matters

Confidence affects how you see yourself, how you show up in the world, and how others see you. Employers value confident people because they bring energy, initiative, and leadership to any role. They can adapt to challenges and remain curious and open when things get hard. They’re willing to step outside of their comfort zones, even when they’re unsure, and say: “I can figure this out.”

Confidence matters as AI and tech will continue to transform how we work. Being able to confidently embrace new changes that show up in the workplace, whether you work at a coffee shop or for an investment firm, will set you up for success. 

Actionable ways to grow your confidence

Here are a few specific ways you can grow your confidence:

Start small

Confidence isn’t built overnight, but there are small steps you can take to begin! Try working up the courage to do something that feels slightly outside of your comfort zone, like raising your hand in class to answer a question or politely correcting a barista if they got your order wrong. It can be intimidating to do these things, but they will slowly build your courage over time. Every time you take yourself a bit further outside of your comfort zone, your mind will begin to understand that it can do hard things!

Celebrate effort

You deserve to give yourself credit! If your sports team loses a game or you don’t get the score you were hoping for on an exam, try to find the positive. You can ask yourself questions like “Did I learn anything from this experience?” or “Did I try my hardest?” While it may feel silly to celebrate even when you’ve fallen short, it’s important to remember that confidence is built by showing up—not always just winning. 

Why confidence is a lifelong skill

Confident people step forward, speak up, and lead change—not because they know everything, but because they trust in themselves and their ability to learn along the way. Each time you try something new and reflect on how it impacted you, you grow!

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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Last updated September 4, 2025

In this article

• What is creativity?
• Why creativity matters
• Actionable ways to grow your creativity 
• Why creativity is a lifelong skill

Creativity isn’t just for artists! Creativity shows up in both the big and small details of our day-to-day lives—how we solve problems, communicate with others, and make plans for the future. Watch the video and read more below about how creativity—a key durable skill—helps you think beyond conventional boundaries and unlock new opportunities!

What is creativity?

Creativity is the ability to use imagination to generate original ideas and discover solutions to problems. Creative thinkers are curious, open-minded, and willing to try new things. They’re not afraid to make mistakes, since mistakes can help them learn and grow. 

Why creativity matters

Creativity is an essential skill in every job and industry! It helps you solve problems, adapt to challenges, and learn new things along the way. It’s one of the most in-demand durable skills across industries because employers want people who can help their team or company think outside the box and try something new. 

While AI tools can generate content or designs in seconds, they lack the originality that comes from human thinking. Creative people can take ideas to make something new and fresh that really connects with others. Creativity is a lifelong skill that no AI or machine could ever replace!

Actionable ways to grow your creativity 

Here are a few specific ways you can grow your creativity:

Read, watch, & listen to new things 

Try watching, listening to, or reading something new. These can be things you’ve been interested in but haven’t given the chance yet, or things outside of your usual interests. Even if you don’t necessarily like or connect with what you’ve watched, read, or listened to, you’ve exposed yourself to something new! This can broaden your perspective and train your brain into seeking out new ideas and ways of thinking. 

Do something creative every day

Creativity is a skill that can be built! Try setting a timer for 5-10 minutes every day to give yourself time to build, write, sketch, or brainstorm something new. Don’t worry about perfection—just make something that’s creative and unique to you! Letting go of perfection allows you to think outside the box and explore without hesitating or doubting yourself. 

Why creativity is a lifelong skill

Being creative helps you adapt to all areas of your life, including work. The more opportunity you give yourself to try new things, make mistakes, and learn, the more confident and bold you will become. It helps you navigate uncertainty and turn problems into new opportunities. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being you!

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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Last updated June 26, 2025

In this article

• What is critical thinking?
• Why critical thinking matters
• Actionable ways to grow your critical thinking skills
• Why critical thinking is a lifelong skill

If you enjoy analyzing information, identifying patterns, and making thoughtful decisions, you likely have a good foundation of critical thinking skills. Watch the video and read more below about how critical thinking—a key durable skill—helps you solve problems and make smarter decisions, both at work and in your personal life!

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to take in new information to make decisions and find solutions to challenges. Critical thinkers can easily analyze information and identify patterns confidently to problem-solve as an individual or part of a team. It helps you separate emotion from logic to see the bigger picture in all types of situations.

Why critical thinking matters

Whether you realize it or not, you are constantly making decisions in work, school, and life. Whether you’re deciding what to eat for breakfast before school or when to study for an upcoming test, you are making small decisions that can have a big impact. Critical thinking can help you make these decisions wisely! 

Like many of the durable skills, critical thinking is just as valuable in the workplace as it is in your everyday life. Employers love critical thinkers because they’re adaptable, thoughtful, and ready to tackle tough situations. They also strengthen teamwork by offering thoughtful insights, asking the right questions, and encouraging collaboration. 

Additionally, critical thinking is essential in the age of technology and AI. While AI can quickly and easily generate content, it needs human intelligence to determine whether the information it presents is accurate, truthful, and ethical. AI is fast, but it can be wrong. The ability of a critical thinker to question and verify will always be in demand. 

Actionable ways to grow your critical thinking skills

Here are a few specific ways you can grow your critical thinking skills:

Pause before reacting

If you’re having a disagreement with a friend or see something on social media that you find annoying or upsetting*, take a second to think about it a bit more before reacting. Ask yourself questions like “Why do I feel this way?” or “Do I have all the facts?” This can definitely be difficult in stressful moments, but pausing to think critically about information being presented to you can train your brain over time to analyze instead of jumping to conclusions. Reacting with emotion is natural and human, but not always what’s best. 

*There are exceptions to this. Social media can be a scary place, so protect your peace of mind by restricting the content you consume. You deserve to scroll and connect with others in a safe way! 

Break down big challenges

The next time you’re working on a project for school or planning an event for your club, try breaking down all the moving parts into steps. What should take priority, and what can wait to be solved down the road? By organizing complex projects or tasks into parts, you can focus on one thing at a time. Your brain will also start to see systems and patterns, which can lead to better decision-making down the road. 

Why critical thinking is a lifelong skill

In a world full of noise and instant reactions, critical thinking helps you stand out as someone who stays calm, curious, and clear. You can become someone who asks good questions, solves problems, and sees the bigger picture in all areas of life. 

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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Last updated June 26, 2025

In this article

• What is adaptability?
• Why adaptability matters
• Actionable ways to grow your adaptability skills
• Why adaptability is a lifelong skill

The workplace is evolving fast in many industries, but the key to staying ahead is to stay adaptable. Whether you’re starting a new job, learning a new professional skill, or facing unexpected challenges at work, adaptability helps you stay calm, think critically, and grow. Watch the video and read more below about how adaptability—a key durable skill—helps you handle change, tackle challenges, and stay ahead in a fast-changing world!

What is adaptability?

Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new situations quickly and handle change with a positive mindset. In a work context, employers look for adaptable people who can think quickly, stay calm under pressure, and find new paths when old ones get blocked. 

Why adaptability matters

While technically a durable professional skill, it’s important to note that adaptability is one of the most essential skills you can develop in life. Change will happen, regardless of your career—so the ability to embrace it while learning things along the way is valuable.

As technology and AI continue to change the workforce, adaptability will become even more important. Whether you use an AI-powered inventory system in your retail job or use AI to write emails in your marketing job, this type of technology is inevitable. It will continue to rise across jobs and careers. An adaptable person will take the initiative to learn these systems quickly or even help teammates with their learning. 

Employers value adaptable people because they’re reliable under pressure, open to learning, and able to take on different roles as needs shift. The more you prove yourself as an adaptable employee, the likelier you are to be trusted to take on new responsibilities and make bigger decisions down the road! 

Actionable ways to grow your adaptability skills

Here are a few specific ways you can strengthen your adaptability skills:

Embrace the unexpected 

In all areas of life, unexpected things happen. A good way to grow into adaptability is to practice staying calm and flexible when things change unexpectedly. For example, if your bus to school is late or your ride cancels at the last minute, try brainstorming solutions calmly before reacting. You could decide to wait for the next bus or call a friend or parent to give you a ride if they’re available. By quickly problem-solving these types of unexpected situations, you’ll build the confidence over time to handle bigger or more stressful situations in all areas of your life!

Try something new

The next time you’re working on a group project in school, try taking on a role you’ve never had before. For example, if you’re usually the notetaker, try offering to conduct research for the project instead. Trying new things teaches you how to adjust to different responsibilities and environments. It builds mental flexibility and makes you more comfortable navigating change as it comes up!

Build problem-solving habits

Let’s say you didn’t get the grade you were hoping for on an exam. While this can be disappointing and frustrating, take a moment to consider how you can learn from it. Maybe this means taking the time to prepare a bit more for the next exam, or even talking to your educator about where you went wrong and how to improve. Looking back on how you respond to change helps you recognize patterns and develop stronger problem-solving instincts. Over time, this can help you to adapt quickly and thoughtfully.

Why adaptability is a lifelong skill

Learning to adapt makes you more confident, resourceful, and ready for whatever the future holds. It helps you bounce back instead of break down! This skill will always be valuable in the workplace, because while AI may be able to sort data faster than you, it can never replace your human flexibility, empathy, and problem-solving! Keep challenging yourself to stay open, flexible, and curious. The more you stretch your adaptability muscles now, the stronger you’ll be in any situation life throws your way.

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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Last updated June 26, 2025

In this article

• What is collaboration?
• Why collaboration matters
• Actionable ways to grow your collaboration skills
• Why collaboration is a lifelong skill

While cheesy, teamwork truly does make the dream work! In work and in life, collaboration is the glue that holds everything together. Watch the video and read more below about how collaboration—a key durable skill—helps you work effectively with others toward a shared goal!

What is collaboration?

Collaboration is the skill of working with others to reach a common goal. When you’re collaborating effectively, you’re recognizing the value everyone brings to the table and leaning on each other’s strengths to produce the best results as a group. Whether you’re teaming up with classmates or coworkers, collaboration is a skill that helps you build strong relationships and accomplish things you couldn’t do alone.

Why collaboration matters

Almost every job, no matter the field or industry, requires some level of collaboration. Whether you’re working with teammates, assisting customers, or partnering with other companies, being able to collaborate well makes you a more valuable teammate and a more confident leader. Strong collaborators:

• Work through disagreements to find a solution
• Support others consistently 
• Communicate clearly
• Respect others and their ideas 

Collaboration is human. While AI can help you automate tasks or take notes, it can’t support your coworker when they’re stuck, actively listen to others, or build trust within your team. These qualities are essential as an employee, and they’ll only become more valuable as workplaces grow more complex and connected.

Actionable ways to grow your collaboration skills

Here are a few specific ways you can strengthen your collaboration skills:

Use conflict as a learning moment 

Conflict naturally comes up sometimes when collaborating with others. The next time you find you’re in conflict with someone, whether it’s at school or work, try your best to understand where they’re coming from, even if you don’t necessarily agree with them. You can ask questions like “Can you tell me more?” or “Can we find a solution that meets both of our goals?” This may be hard to do in the moment, but making others feel seen and heard is an essential part of collaboration. Navigating conflict respectfully builds stronger relationships and shows that you can lead with emotional intelligence.

Give & receive feedback 

Being comfortable with receiving feedback is a huge strength in professional settings. Try practicing this now by taking moments to give and receive feedback. For example, if your friend does something to upset you, try giving them direct feedback about how they made you feel, but delivered with kindness and understanding. You can then ask them for feedback to start a two-way, honest conversation. Feedback may be hard to give and receive sometimes, but it will help you grow in the long run. 

Celebrate wins

Whether you get a high grade on a group project or win a game in your sport, celebrating wins—especially the wins of others—can go a long way! Taking time to recognize others can boost morale and create a positive group culture. When people feel seen and appreciated, they collaborate better!

Why collaboration is a lifelong skill

We will never stop needing one another! As you move through life, your ability to work with others will shape your relationships, career path, and confidence. Start practicing now to carry this skill with you wherever you go!

Want to learn more about durable skills? Dive into the essential and timeless skills that help young people thrive in work, school, and life to achieve long-term success!

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