Outskill: Future Proofing Your Career in the Post-Pandemic World

by Partha Basu

'The pandemic arrived, pressing pause on existence around the globe, redefining life as we know it. We were unsure what business-as- usual will look like after this is over. But unprecedented global crisis aside, many of the changes we see now were already creeping up on us. COVID-19 may have simply sped up their adoption.'


The job market in the post-pandemic world is a different place. Most skills that assured you of a stable career in the pre-pandemic era do not matter any more. In Outskill, Partha Basu deep dives into what skill sets will make you relevant in the rapidly evolving workplace. As part of his research, Partha has collaborated with forty-five senior leaders from diverse industries to understand their challenges, motivations and skill requirements that will keep them ahead of the curve in their careers.

Outskill will help you inculcate and internalize qualities such as virtual leadership, digital networking, communication, storytelling, agile leadership, personal branding, coaching and mentoring, among others, to ensure that you master the skills required in the new era with a human touch.

Here is the perfect guide that will give you the flexibility, purpose and authenticity to become future-ready.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2022

Reviews

[Apurva Barve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certain moments, events change the process of thinking, working and actually living. But all
such things are usually limited to the scope of an individual, rarely things happen which bring
about a change so big that things that are needed to cope up with such sorts of situations
actually tend to be talked about. Such was the COVID-19 pandemic. This is one of the many
reads (books, articles etc) I have been doing about the post pandemic situation, or how to be
in the post pandemic situation. And you know what? All these books, articles and write ups,
have one thing in common, or to say, these are directed in such a way that they always try to
make you ready or lift you up from the situation where you either landed because of the
pandemic, or the situation just worsened because of it. When I go deep down in such
scenarios, I do believe that such measures are required, because due to the ever changing
technology and the picked up pace of the world, it’s really difficult for someone who is
struggling to cope up! And here in, we need help to understand our situation, what are our
points of strength and what are the weaknesses we need to work upon!
Well, such help is a must in today's corporate world, and to cater that need I am confident
that this simple yet, beautifully written book can tell you what to do, or rather what you
require. Outskill, aims to inculcate the qualities in you which are required for a healthy
survival as well as growth in the post pandemic world. The book is authored by Mr. Partha
Basu. To tell a bit more about him,Partha Basu is a senior industry leader who has worked
in seven industries, both in Fortune 500 organisations like Coca-Cola, Whirlpool, AkzoNobel
and Tata Group as well in new initiatives like IFB-Bosch and SpiceJet. Sirhas earlier
authored five books—Lifescapes: The Long and Short of It (2021), Mid-Career Crisis (2015),
Make It or Break It (2012), With or Without You (2010) and Why Not! (2008). He has
delivered lectures in India and abroad, and his articles have been published widely. At
present, he is based out of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Moving on to the book, to break it
down, the book is divided into three precise sections discussing the skills, and the qualities,
as well as why someone needs them? What the situation is and why actually we need to
future proof our careers! The first section talks about what the future is actually, it renders
out the probabilities, possibilities and the situations that one may face. Moreover it talks
about how the future is completely technology based, and how the work culture is going to
change in the upcoming time. The 2nd section talks about the leadership traits that one
needs to imbibe to have a consistent and healthy growth. Here the author talks about being
the lead, talks more about communication etc. It is one of the most influential parts of the
book. The write up here is the strongest in terms of motivation, and communication as a
whole. The third part is about future proofing, which actually summarises each other into
sections. All of the previous sections find the compilation here. To end, I would like to
mention that the book is an easy read, it consists of all the insights from the big shots of the
industry who have contributed the best of their knowledge and understanding. The book also
provides examples and drafts a great blueprint for the path of success in the corporate world
post pandemic.

[bookswithsakshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where there is no vision, the people perish. —Proverbs 29:18

Imagine that you are doing a job efficiently today and I tell you that there's someone else who can do it better than you in lesser time.

What would be your reaction? Will you strive to challenge that thing or will you accept your defeat?

No one is unaware of AI ( Artificial Intelligence ) anymore. It's slowly taking place of humans in the market and the future becomes quite unpredictable as we don't know what all jobs can be replaced and if there are going to be more opportunities or not.

Everything is uncertain!

With uncertainty comes new hope and determination to do better. To strive to become the best. To work in a smart way. To lead with an example.

Outskill by Partha Basu gives us the roadmap of the current situation and what we can predict in the near future. The book clarifies how true leaders are and how they are going to progress despite every setback. A true leader must have creativity and strategic thinking in order to lead their team. Only those who are visionaries will survive the test.

The Author has shared multiple POVs of influential people regarding leadership and the AI taking over humans job. It's always insightful to be exposed to multiple opinions all at once. But I wish that the Author should have made this book more about his perspectives than of others. I would have liked it more in that case.

Read this book if you want to learn:

- how you can outskill in the future
- how visionary leaders function
- about AI from multiple opinions

[Avani ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outskill by Partha Basu, first Non-Fiction of the year and I must say it was the best pick for February. The book talks about future proofing your career and jobs in a world post pandemic.

I feel for me this topic has always been the one where I have had lots of questions and worries for myself as a working professional. No doubt I work in a digital and internet space which is booming but at the same time comes with a lot of other challenges as well.

In this book the author has very well narrowed down into sections as well as important topics like technology, networking, creativity, what future holds, opportunities and other things as well. It's also about finding purpose in your work and balance between the two.

We have alot of examples as well from different leaders who speak their viewpoint in this book. I think this book has really helped me answer few questions which I had in my mind and at the same time widened my horizons and thinking in professional space.

[Ujan Dutta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much of repetitive content, an average read!