The skills that matter most: Insights from Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton
In today’s complex, fast-changing work environments, there’s a growing need to complement technical expertise with durable skills.
As Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA pointed out on the Engineering the Future Workforce podcast, it’s often the “skills for life” — like collaboration, adaptability and the ability to continuously learn — that truly set high achievers apart.
Reflecting on her own journey, Humpton described how she earned her MBA “from the school of hard knocks,” learning not only through formal education but through hands-on experience, mentorship and taking on challenges outside her comfort zone.
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple
Why durable skills matter
Technical knowledge might land you a job, but it’s durable skills — practical, all-purpose abilities like adaptability, communication and collaboration — that sustain and grow a career. Collaboration, for instance, isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a cornerstone of success in today’s interconnected and multidisciplinary workplaces.
“The ability to manage your own lifelong learning, to recognize you don’t know it all and to stay curious about what you need to learn next — these are the rock-solid foundational skills everyone needs,” Humpton shared.
Durable skills are not just nice-to-haves. The modern workforce requires individuals who can communicate effectively, work across diverse teams and adapt to rapid changes, whether those changes are driven by technology, shifting market demands or the complexities of an increasingly globalized economy.
Siemens Global Academic and Future Workforce program is dedicated to empowering students with durable skills and other key competencies to thrive in the workplace. To learn more about how we’re helping engineers become day-one ready, visit our site.
A journey of lifelong learning
Humpton’s career journey exemplifies the power of durable skills. She began as a math major, with plans to become a professor, like her parents. But her path took a turn when she joined IBM and was introduced to programming.
As Humpton noted, in a 40-hour training program at IBM, the focus wasn’t on competition, but on ensuring everyone could program successfully. Participants collaborated, solved challenges together and reviewed each other’s work — an environment that fostered teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving.
Her story also underscores an important truth: careers rarely follow a linear path. By being curious and flexible, professionals can navigate unexpected opportunities and challenges, continuing to grow along the way.
Nurturing skills for life in the workplace
To thrive in today’s industries, businesses must create environments where durable skills are valued and nurtured, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
One example is Siemens’ “mentoring pods,” a program that pairs small groups of employees with mentors to explore specific topics. “The mentor guides the learning, but much of the magic happens within the group itself,” Humpton explained. “They’re learning from one another, challenging each other and growing together.”
This approach reinforces critical skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving — qualities that benefit both individuals and organizations.
Equipping future-ready professionals
The importance of building durable skills extends to addressing larger workforce challenges, including the persistent skills gap in industries like engineering and technology. As Humpton noted, “We just don’t have all the people we need to do the jobs that need to be done.” To bridge this gap, it’s essential to prioritize education and training that emphasize both technical expertise and soft skills.
For engineering and technical professionals looking to strengthen their resume and prepare for the job market, Siemens offers a variety of free courses on Coursera.
These courses cover topics such as sustainability, applied computational fluid dynamics, digital transformation and more.
Creating a workforce for the future
By focusing on building skills for life, we can prepare individuals not just for their next job, but for a lifetime of success. Whether it’s through mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities or creating collaborative environments, businesses and educators play a pivotal role in shaping future-ready professionals.
Humpton’s advice resonates deeply: “Stay curious, take initiative and commit to lifelong learning — that’s how you keep growing and discovering what’s possible.” In a world where change is constant, it’s these skills for life that empower us to adapt, innovate and thrive.
For a deeper dive into shaping the workforce for the future, listen to the full episode of the Engineering the Future Workforce podcast.
