The six skills that create real impact at work

26 March 2026

4 mins read

Career Progression

Women in office attire smiling

At the recent Future Women Leadership Summit, Kimberley Hubble spoke about the power of transferable skills. 

Whether you’re returning after a break, exploring a new role, or simply trying to better articulate your strengths, the same principle applies, the skills that move with you matter most. 

Owning your career starts with ownership of your development
Careers are no longer linear. Roles evolve, industries shift, and expectations change. 

The people who adapt best are those who see learning as ongoing. Not something you “complete”, but something you invest in consistently. 

That mindset shift matters.
Because development isn’t just about progression, it’s also one of the strongest drivers of retention. Alongside flexibility, it’s what keeps people engaged and moving forward. 

The confidence gap is still real
A familiar pattern still plays out in hiring. 

Men will often look at a job ad, meet six out of ten requirements, and apply anyway.
Women are more likely to wait until they meet nearly all of them. 

That hesitation can hold strong candidates back. 

Being able to back yourself, to step forward, speak to your capability, and “throw your hat in the ring” is a skill in itself. And like any skill, it can be developed. 

Learning to articulate your value
One of the most practical shifts people can make is moving from describing roles to demonstrating impact. 

That shows up across: 

  • Your CV  
  • Your LinkedIn profile  
  • Interviews and conversations  

It’s not just what you did it’s what changed because you did it. 

A structured way to do this is through the STAR method, clearly outlining the Situation, Task, Action and Result behind your work. If you are looking for a practical way to build this into your responses, Hudson’s guide to how to answer behavioural interview questions is a useful place to start. 

Practical steps that make a difference
A few simple habits can help you stay ready for opportunity: 

  • Keep your LinkedIn, CV and SEEK profile up to date  
  • Be clear on what you’re looking for, even if it evolves 
  • Use selection criteria as a guide, mirror the language used  
  • Use AI tools to help refine your applications, responsibly and thoughtfully. If an employer specifies that AI should not be used, make sure you follow those instructions 
  • Stay connected to your industry through events and networking  

These aren’t big shifts, but they compound over time. 

The IMPACT model: six skills that move with you
Kimberley uses the acronym IMPACT to describe the core transferable skills that apply across almost any role or industry. 

I — Inquiring mindset 
Demonstrating curiosity, asking questions and probing to understand, deeply not superficially. Committing to continuous, life-long learning.  

M — Managing stakeholders 
Demonstrating the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders and influence outcomes through these relationships.   

P — Problem solving 
Demonstrating the ability to identify problems proactively, explore and assess options for resolution, make decisions and drive action to resolve the problems identified.  

A — Awareness 
Demonstrating self-awareness, self-management and insight into others. Being aware of how you come across to others, your strengths and development areas, with the ability . to modify and adapt to your situation.  

C — Communication and collaboration 
Demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively with others to make progress and achieve goals.  Communicating clearly and effectively with your target audience  

T — Transformation 
Demonstrating the ability to initiate and/or adapt to change at a personal and organisational level. Being able to turn challenges into opportunities and show perseverance and resilience. 

These are the capabilities that don’t stay tied to a job title they travel with you. 

Why transferable skills matter
When you build these skills, you’re not just preparing for your next role. 

You’re building career resilience. 

They make it easier to: 

  • Step into new opportunities  
  • Navigate change  
  • Communicate your value clearly  
  • Re-enter the workforce with confidence  

And importantly, they help you create impact wherever you are. 

Ready to take the next step?
If you’re ready to explore a new role, or simply want to see what’s out there, there are a few easy ways to get started. 

And if you’d like to read more about our partnership with Future Women, you can explore it here.