4 Key Skills to Master
Here’s a good article I found on CNN Money a while back - it’s about 4 key skills to master now, that will have a definite impact on your career.
As the article says, “Admittedly, most skills worth having take years to perfect. But there are others that anyone can improve relatively quickly–and that can have a quick and measurable impact on your career. To that end, we’ve identified experts in four key areas and asked them to construct action plans to help novices grow into deft operators. Absorb these lessons, and you’ll be more effective and time-efficient, at home and at work. And the next time the printer jams, you’ll be that much smoother at finding someone else who can fix it for you.”
Speaking- public speaking, running meetings, etc. There are several good points here. I’ve been working on this myself - I’ve had a number of speaking engagements so far related to my book. I’m always interested in sharing what I know, and speaking is a great way to do it. I speak at colleges, professional organizations, workshops, etc…if you’re interested in having me speak just email me at david (at) thegetajobbook.com. I’m in the Atlanta area but am willing to travel. Actually, I was just thinking about the oft-quoted statistic that surveys have shown that more people fear public speaking (#1 fear) than death (#2 fear)…that’s great news! If you can get to the point where you’re not afraid of the thing “worse” than death, what else have you got to be afraid of?
Negotiation- another crucial skill. I was fortunate in having spent the first 2 years of my career after graduation as a broker for a shipping company in Tokyo. That meant negotiating contracts daily, and it was a fantastic learning experience that has helped me numerous times at various stages in my career. It’s so important that I included a section on negotiating in my book.
Speed Reading- again, they’re right on target with highlighting this as a key skill. I took a speed-reading course back in high school, and was pleasantly surprised when I recently took an online assessment and found that I’m still around 1000 words per minute at about an 80% comprehension rate. Not bad, but I can always get better. There are tons of speed reading courses available, both online and at local colleges, etc…
Memory- particularly remembering names. This is the one I’ve struggled with the most of these 4 tips…but I’m getting better. The suggestions they mention will help. I’ve read that the word that sounds the sweetest to anyone’s ear is his or her own name spoken by someone else.
I might even add one more - typing skills and mastering keyboard shortcuts on the computer. Not that becoming a world-class typist will automatically catapult you to the upper echelons of success (that alone certainly won’t do it), but for the very basic reason that typing faster will allow you to get things done in less time, and that time can be used for higher-value activities. Like improving processes, coming up with a new strategy, improving an existing one, getting that additional sale, making that customer happy, and so on.
Here’s the link to the article: http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/fortune/key_skills/index.html
Enjoy!
To your success,
Dave
David B. Wright
Author, Get A Job! Your Guide to Making Successful Career Moves
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