From superpowers on Game of Thrones to cybersecurity superheroes, we looked at the skills you need to get to the top of your career.
Sometimes the leaders you look up to seem to have magical powers – how else did they get to where they are? However, no matter how impressive, successful or organised they seem, they are still just people.
The leaders we see and the leaders we want to be were exactly where we are, once upon a time. And how they got to where they are now might seem like an impossible journey to the top of a steep mountain but, if they can do it, so can you.
With this in mind, we decided to take a look at a few things that will help you become one of the leaders of tomorrow.
You have to walk before you can run, as they say. Therefore, we present a few things you can do now to make your current working life run more smoothly and be more successful, including making that pesky commute less stressful and more productive.
We also looked into one of the most important skills in your professional life and how you can improve it: your ability to communicate.
We gleaned some important insights from actual leaders in their fields, taking some top book recommendations for powerful reading to get stuck into this weekend.
One such leader we spoke to is gaming rock star and Inspirefest 2017 speaker Rhianna Pratchett. She spoke to Siliconrepublic.com about how she started at the bottom and made her way to the top, providing some key advice for how newbies can join her at the metaphorical summit.
If you’re looking for a bit of a Game of Thrones fix before the next episode, you can spend some time figuring out which characters are in your office. Do you have a grumpy Jon Snow or a busy Daenerys Targaryen next to you?
Finally, while there were no new jobs announced this week, the tech industry is always looking for talent. This was highlighted by Hays Recruitment, which assessed the need for talent in the infosec industry.
As always, for more on any of these stories, follow the links below.
1. 9 must-read books recommended by business leaders
Looking to start your business reading list? We asked a selection of leaders what books they would recommend.
2. Enet CTO: Success does not come from being busy
What’s it like working in the telecoms industry? Peter Hendrick, CTO of Enet, filled us in on what a typical day is like for him, offering some key productivity tips.
3. Rhianna Pratchett: From newbie to the ‘rock star’ of video game writing
Rhianna Pratchett has established herself as one of the few big names in video game writing, but it hasn’t always been so straightforward.
4. How to communicate better at work
Communication is one of the most important skills you can have in your professional life. Therefore, it’s a skill you should improve all the time.
5. Do you hate your commute? Let’s fix that
The dreaded commute to and from work can be the worst part of the day. But it doesn’t have to be.
6. Which Game of Thrones character do you sit beside in the office?
It’s Game of Thrones season and that means, for the growing swathe of uber-fans around the world, an encroachment of Westeros into their everyday lives. But what about at work?
7. Wanted: IT security superheroes to fight cybercrime
From WannaCry to Petya, it’s no wonder the cybersecurity sector is crying out for talent to fight ransomware. Hays’ Carolyn Dickason explores the increasing need for talent in infosec.
8. Interviewing for a job in tech sales? 4 things you need to know
Sales is one thing, but a tech sales job can feel very different when it comes to the interview. HubSpot sales manager Andy Stansell has some advice for you.
9. Make a difference: How 115 Aon employees volunteered in the local community
While many companies make contributions to charity partners, sometimes the greatest impact can come from those that get more involved. The Aon Centre for Innovation and Analytics does this with an annual day of volunteering.
10. Remembering a hidden figure: Computing pioneer Jean Sammet
After a lengthy and immensely influential career in computer programming, Jean Sammet recently passed away at the age of 89.
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