The 2025 Skills Horizon

What leaders need to know next

We’re entering a decade of disorientation.

As a leader, you’ll be constantly challenged to pinpoint what will matter next. Once you figure that out, then comes the challenge of deciding how to lead through it.

There’s no doubt that disorienting times need critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and the ability to communicate effectively. But there are new skills you’ll need to navigate our messy future.

In The 2025 Skills Horizon report, we explore those skills, why they matter and the benefits they unlock. Throughout the report, you’ll also see insights and wisdom from heads of government and head chefs alike, which we drew from conversations with more than 70 global and Australian leaders and executives across various fields.

The 2025 Skills Horizon is a dynamic guide that’ll help you and your team stay prepared for what’s ahead.

Happy upskilling.

Cite this report

Peter, S., Riemer, K., Norman, P. (2024). The 2025 Skills Horizon. Sydney Executive Plus, The University of Sydney, https://doi.org/10.25910/57M8-SQ33

What is the Skills Horizon?

The Skills Horizon is a dynamic guide that you can use to stay prepared for what’s ahead. It’ll help you to:

  • Strategically plan and track what skills you need to acquire or hone now, what you need to learn next, and what you might explore and experiment with.
  • Create a shared vocabulary with your team.  
  • Evaluate and understand your, and your team’s, skills.  
  • Feed insights into broader strategy processes.  
  • Prioritise professional learning and development actions by considering timing, resource implications, integration into individual development plans and performance reviews. This is crucial in preparing the next generation of leaders in your organisation.
  • Promote a leadership culture that fosters continuous learning. And encourage team members to do the same.  
  • Impress people at dinner parties. If you think cheese boards are popular, you should see the attention an AI anecdote gets at a soirée. 

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