Introducing ESA: The 12 Essential Skills for Thriving Teams
- The Open Mind Institute
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
In today’s workplaces, technical expertise and experience are no longer enough to guarantee success. Teams are operating in an environment defined by AI, remote work, and constant change. What sets high-performing teams apart is their ability to cultivate a core set of human skills—the skills that shape how people think, connect, and collaborate.
Through extensive research, workshops, and real-world testing, TOMI has identified 12 Essential Skills that every team needs to thrive. These form the backbone of our Essential Skills Assessment (ESA) and are embedded into the ATAR Program, which helps teams measure and strengthen their growth over time.
Here’s a closer look at the 12 skills—and why they matter not just in business, but in everyday life:
1. Emotional & Social Intelligence
The ability to recognise and manage your own emotions, while also understanding and responding to others. This fosters trust, reduces conflict, and enables teams to work with empathy and respect.
2. Self-Awareness & Attention Control
Knowing your triggers, strengths, and blind spots while staying focused under pressure. When individuals manage their attention effectively, teams gain clarity instead of distraction.
3. Communication Excellence
Clear, concise, and respectful communication is the foundation of teamwork. Whether it’s giving feedback, running a meeting, or writing an email, communication is often the difference between progress and frustration.
4. Adaptability & Learning Agility
Change is inevitable. This skill is about being open to new ways of thinking, unlearning outdated approaches, and pivoting quickly when circumstances shift.
5. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
High-performing teams ask the right questions before rushing to solutions. This skill is about examining issues from multiple perspectives and using logic and creativity to make better decisions.
6. Collaboration & Team Dynamics
Collaboration isn’t just about “working together”—it’s about leveraging different strengths, balancing personalities, and creating an environment where every voice can contribute.
7. Leadership & Decision Making
Leadership is no longer just about authority. It’s about guiding with clarity, making tough calls with confidence, and creating space for others to lead when it matters most.
8. Digital & AI Dexterity
From AI tools to remote collaboration platforms, digital competence is a non-negotiable. Teams that embrace technology effectively are more efficient, connected, and future-ready.
9. Time Management & Prioritisation
With endless demands on attention, the ability to focus on what truly matters is critical. This skill ensures individuals and teams stay aligned with priorities rather than getting lost in busyness.
10. Resilience & Stress Management
Stress is unavoidable—but how teams respond to it determines their long-term success. Resilient teams recover quickly, maintain perspective, and support each other during challenging times.
11. Innovation & Creative Thinking
Innovation doesn’t only belong in R&D. Every team benefits from people who can challenge assumptions, generate fresh ideas, and approach problems with curiosity and creativity.
12. Influence & Stakeholder Management
Getting results often depends on more than just your immediate team. This skill is about navigating relationships, building credibility, and aligning stakeholders behind a shared vision.
You don’t need to be in the C-suite to see the value of these skills. Think about your own work:
Which of these skills comes most naturally to you?
Which one do you rely on most often in your role?
Which one, if strengthened, would make the biggest difference in your career—or in your team?
Here’s a simple way to put these skills into practice:
Pick one skill from the list that resonates with you.
Notice where it shows up in your work or personal life this week.
Experiment with one small action to strengthen it. (e.g., if you choose Communication Excellence, focus on listening fully before speaking in your next meeting.)
At the end of the week, ask yourself: What changed?
Small, consistent improvements in these areas compound over time—both for individuals and for teams.
The Next Step
The ESA is designed to measure these skills, highlight where strengths lie, and identify growth opportunities for both individuals and teams. But more importantly, it provides a framework for building the kind of workplace culture where people feel supported, challenged, and capable of their best work.
Because at the end of the day, these 12 skills aren’t just about surviving the future of work—they’re about thriving in it.
If you’re ready to explore what’s possible with ATAR, we’d love to start that conversation.
Xin Yi Ng (Michelle)
Research & Development Lead
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