The built environment has been slow in adapting innovative technologies and methods, and there has never been a more inspiring time to innovate than now. We live in a new automation era in which computers, robotic technologies and artificial intelligence will increasingly perform routine manual work and rightfully take traditional jobs from humans. This technological impact and socio-economic disruption in the industry will transform the employment scenery and skills requirements. This review notes the greater challenges faced by the construction industry in fostering innovation. These include both industry-specific challenges and the need to fulfill sustainable development goals. In addition to these challenges, the need for construction role players to understand the critical skills required for industry 4.0 is also discussed. The study is conducted by critically reviewing the literature of selected papers from well-known academic journals in construction and fourth industrial revolution research. Above innovative leadership, different innovative skills are vital to developing and understanding emerging innovative technologies. Skills identified include; Creativity, design mindset, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, social intelligence, digital literacy, leadership and computational thinking. Moreover, industry role players with these skills can help fast-track the need for technological innovation in the construction industry. The study presents a robust background in identifying essential skills research agenda in the built environment that fosters innovation and its adaptation.