What awaits us in the near future? What happens when we resume our regular lifestyles? Will we ever go back to normal and if we do, what changes then? With an inferno such as COVID-19 proliferating around us, the human race has pledged not to give in and maintain its substantial position in the food chain. There is a chasm between the recent past and the near future which is bridged by our present. The present is the age of transformation, it is the duration where societal and ideological structures are reconstructing themselves on a regular basis and the industries- they are coming in terms with the dynamicity of their macro-environment and altering its micro environment.

This has brought us to the new chapter in the book of human development where every trivial decision results in a significant change in the end product as proposed by the chaos theory. Here are 5 skills that you will need to resurface as a victor in a post-Covid19 World while minimizing the overwhelming change.

1. Adaptability: We stand on the cusp of the rising wave of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Data Science Revolution is taking the world by surprise by unfolding all its cards. This is the age of data science and considering the prevailing situations, it is safe to say that this is here to stay. Adaptability to this ‘not so very new culture’ and deconstructing the convention is something that will help you grow professionally. We are not very far from converting Sci-Fi movies into reality if we maintain this pace of innovation.

2. Communication Skills: This has been defined as one of the most important skills for a successful individual. At some point we have all struggled to put our thoughts into words and most of the time, we have all lost something significant due to miscommunication. When the lock-down opens, it is as if we have all gone back to square one- a day that the earth reopens. Being able to frame your thoughts in words be it oral or written is something that will go a long way.

3. Emotional Intelligence: People are driven by two factors namely ‘Fear’ and ‘Hope’. It is crucial to understand our own emotional sanity before attempting to console others. Give yourself a break now and sensitize towards yourself and others gradually. People across the globe are going through a crisis- the kind which has drained nations in terms of economy, political and societal structures but most of all one's mental health. Such mental drain is bound to leave a scar. Emotional sensitivity and understanding others around us will avoid our inner emotive house of cards from collapsing.

4. Literacy: Literacy now means a lot more than just basic education. It covers a spectrum of information, civic, technology, social and ethical forms of literacy. Realizing responsibility as a citizen, a human and as a guardian, following safety procedures even when it is all over is here the broadened terms of literacy. 

5. Critical Thinking: The pandemic has proved to us that we are never completely ready for a change at such a magnitude despite several efforts to maintain consistency and operational equilibrium. Critical Thinking and problem solving skills add a tinge of desirable ability for the world that awaits constant advancements in numerous dimensions. 

Although these are 21st century skills as defined by the department of education, the nuance is in the meaning of these skills. Until recent times, these skills were majorly in theory, however a practical emergence has made its practice non-negotiable for a secure future. Technology and innovations today reflect fears of tomorrow and the experiences of the past. As the world around us changes, so do the meanings of the predetermined definitions. Enlarging the locus of pre-existing skills and getting ready to face the new world determines the several facets of humanity. Apart from mitigating such wildfires, one must know how to suppress it. The only way of emerging victorious from this plague is to take time and gain some perspective in the interest of personal up-gradation. Soul searching is the key to all of our conundrums for this is the NEW NORMAL.