With AI affecting so many jobs across Australia and the rest of the world, SEEK asked for my insights into the essential workplace skills for professionals in today’s employment landscape. Read the full article here: https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/article/essential-workplace-skills-in-the-age-of-ai
How to Thrive in the AI-Driven Workplace
Artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces across Australia, reshaping roles, tasks, and expectations. For mid-career professionals, the question is clear: Which skills will help me stay relevant and advance in my career?
Jane Jackson, Sydney-based career coach, Amazon best-selling author, and founder of the Career Success Program, has spent over 24 years guiding professionals through career transitions. She highlights five human-centred skills that remain vital, even as AI automates tasks and processes.
1. Embrace Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
“AI is changing how we work, but it will never replace human adaptability in the workplace and creativity,” says Jackson. She encourages professionals to stay curious about emerging technologies and adopt a mindset of lifelong learning, continuously developing problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation skills.
By building future-ready skills, professionals can confidently navigate career changes, adapt to AI-driven roles, and remain competitive in evolving industries.
To support your career reflection and growth, download the Career Reflections Journal
2. Develop Emotional Intelligence and Communication Skills
“No matter how advanced AI becomes, human relationships remain central to workplace success,” Jackson explains. Investing in emotional intelligence in the workplace—including active listening, conflict management, and clear communication—enhances teamwork and professional resilience.
These skills are particularly important in AI-integrated environments where collaboration, empathy, and interpersonal awareness cannot be replicated by technology.
3. Combine Technical Awareness with Strategic Thinking
“Understanding AI tools and their capabilities is crucial,” Jackson notes. Professionals who develop AI literacy while applying strategic thinking in business will be better positioned to solve complex challenges and lead projects that technology alone cannot manage.
By combining technical awareness with human insight, mid-career professionals strengthen their human-AI collaboration skills and increase their impact in the workplace.
4. Cultivate a Personal Brand and Career Visibility
“Being visible and clearly articulating your value is essential,” Jackson says. With AI increasingly screening resumes and ranking candidates, active personal branding through LinkedIn, thought leadership content, and networking, is a career differentiator.
Professionals who showcase their unique skills, achievements, and career visibility strategies increase opportunities for advancement and make AI work in their favour rather than against them.
5. Focus on Resilience and a Growth Mindset
“Career change or redundancy can feel daunting, especially in an AI-driven workplace,” Jackson emphasises. “Building career resilience and a proactive mindset allows professionals to see opportunity instead of obstacles.”
She recommends reflection, journaling, and seeking support from career coaches or mentors to navigate transitions successfully. Cultivating a growth mindset ensures that mid-career professionals remain confident and agile in rapidly evolving industries.
Take the How to Manage Stress online course to develop resilience.
Key Takeaway
AI will continue to reshape the workplace, but human skills: adaptability, emotional intelligence, AI literacy, strategic thinking, personal branding, and resilience, remain irreplaceable.
Jane Jackson’s guidance equips mid-career professionals with the tools and confidence to thrive, even in an AI-driven world.
Ask JaneCareerCoach GPT for instant coaching support today.
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