Reading · The New Rules of Work with Sho Dewan

I hate to be the one who breaks it to you… but one of my goals for the year is to work in the office more.

And it’s not because of rent or productivity per se… but I just miss people man lol. I miss shooting the shit with coworkers or dressing up a bit or just going out for some fresh air.

I missed it so much that I even flew out Col, my podcast producer, to come work with me for the week and set up our podcast studio together!

That’s just one of my goals for the year — I don’t just want to put my head down and grind. I want to do more fun, meaningful work with good people I like. And bonus points if we can actually be in the same room and go out for a meal too.

I the whole return to office gets a bad rep but… I see the value in it (but I still choose team remote lol).

That’s a simple goal of mine and would love to hear from you! And continue reading to learn what your manager wants you to learn but isn’t telling you!

With hiring plans shaping up, budgets finalized and companies preparing for growth in early 2026, what you focus on now can directly influence your future salary and career prospects.

The job market is rapidly evolving, and skills that were optional yesterday are becoming essential today. For example, according to a recent analysis by Tom’s Guide, workers who use artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work earn about 40% more than peers who don’t, showing the real economic value of building modern tech competencies. That said, here are four practical skills you can begin building NOW to raise your salary trajectory in 2026 and beyond.

AI is no longer futuristic. It’s everywhere in business right now. Employers are increasingly seeking people who can use AI tools effectively to drive productivity, generate insights and automate repetitive work. In fact, a recent Lightcast report shows that job postings mentioning AI skills tend to offer about 28% higher salaries than those that do not, reflecting how valuable this capability has become.

If you want to build AI prompting skills, start with tools you already have access to, like ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude. Commit to a short daily practice where you take one repetitive task, such as drafting routine reports, creating email templates or building summarizations, and explore three different prompts that improve quality or reduce the time it takes to complete it.

For instance, ask the model to rewrite long emails into concise action-oriented messages or generate a list of potential data insights from a project you’re working on. In less than a month, you’ll notice your work speed increase and your ability to create high-quality outputs consistently improve. This directly boosts your value in any workplace because teams need efficiency as much as accuracy.

Data literacy is one of the most sought-after competencies across industries because it lets you make smarter decisions and influence strategy. A recent report by DataCamp shows that a large majority of organizations believe data-literate employees consistently outperform their peers, and employers are willing to pay higher salaries for candidates with strong data and AI literacy.

To build data literacy in 2026, begin by choosing one analytics tool that aligns with your role, such as Excel, Google Data Studio, Microsoft Power BI or even basic SQL. Set a plan to complete a short project every week. For example, pull together a monthly performance report for your department using charts that tell a clear story about what went well and what needs focus.

As you practice, focus on explaining your findings in plain language and making actionable recommendations. Showing that you can interpret data, create insights and prompt meaningful discussion will position you as someone who can contribute at a more senior level, which naturally supports higher compensation and leadership opportunities.

Clear writing is more than just about good grammar. It’s about influence. When you write with clarity, your ideas land better, your recommendations are easier to act on and people begin to trust your judgment. In many cases, people with strong writing skills move into roles with more responsibility because they communicate strategy and results effectively.

To sharpen your writing, take a two-pronged approach. First, review your past written communication, including emails, reports and presentations, and identify patterns that cause confusion or require follow-ups for clarification. Rewrite a few examples using a structure that states the main point first, followed by concise supporting details and a clear call to action.

Second, practice transforming technical or complex concepts into simple, actionable summaries for different audiences. For instance, if you need to update senior leadership on a project, draft a one-paragraph summary that could be read in under a minute. Sharing clearer writing helps you build credibility across departments, which is a key indicator for promotions and salary increases.

Even if you’re not currently in a leadership position, understanding the basics of management is a high-reward skill. Managers are paid more not just for what they do, but for how they help their teams succeed. Investing time in managerial fundamentals such as delegation, performance feedback and strategic planning signals readiness for higher roles.

In January, you can practice managerial skills in small, practical ways. You can volunteer to lead or coordinate a project or cross-functional meeting, for example. Take time to prepare a short agenda, assign clear responsibilities and follow up with action notes. Pay attention to how you provide feedback, and focus on specific behavior and outcomes rather than general comments.

You can also ask your current manager if there’s an opportunity to practice coaching peers or mentoring newer team members. These activities build muscle memory for leadership and demonstrate to others that you think beyond task execution. Employers often reward people who can lead effectively and help others succeed, and that usually comes with higher pay.

Investing in new skills does not require a year’s commitment or a degree. This month is your chance to experiment, build momentum and prepare for a strong start to 2026. By intentionally improving your capabilities in AI prompting, data literacy, professional writing and managerial basics, you not only boost your salary potential but also future-proof your career.

Small, consistent actions now translate into significant opportunities later. Celebrate your progress each week, reflect on what you learned and let your growth guide your career path. You’re capable of more than you think, and the effort you make today will pay off tomorrow. Keep pushing forward and enjoy the journey to a stronger, more valuable you. You’ve got this!

✅ Future-Proof Your Career this 2026
The times are changing, and so should we, if we want to not just survive, but thrive. The good thing is if you’ve been following my tips about acquiring transferable skills so far, you won’t need to start from scratch. Here are three specific skills that you should acquire to remain in demand as a worker today and for the foreseeable future.
Read more >>

✅ Side gigs that earn you extra $$$ this January
The start of a new year often inspires people to reassess their financial goals and look for ways to increase their income. January, in particular, is an ideal time to launch a side hustle. Earning an additional $2,000 per month may sound ambitious, but with the right approach, it is an achievable goal. Here are four side hustles that stand out for their low startup costs, flexible schedules and strong earning potential.
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✅ LinkedIn updates you need to make NOW to 3x your inbound messages
Holidays are over and teams are back, more focused, and with fresh budget (aka more money)! Studies also show that job postings increase by 15% in January vs. other months, which is a perfect opportunity for you to prepare your LinkedIn profile to stand out. Here are five essential LinkedIn updates that can help you significantly increase your inbound messages in January.
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Weekly Work Wire: Volume 8

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