I have recently talked with friends and colleagues about the career skills needed right now and for the future. Soft skills seem to be at the top of the list – pliable, enduring skills, qualities that are valuable in any job no matter what role we have in our work. The common denominator is to be excellent in the interpersonal character traits, which will significantly enhance your career.
I love these conversations because they result in strengthening growth mindset-widening perspectives. This mindset resonates with the concept of being a learn-it-all rather than a know-it-all.
Be Excellent
Have a goal to be excellent in your work, whether or not you are a subject matter expert (SME) or a generalist in your profession, a leader, manager, or individual contributor. No matter if you are starting in your career or landing at the peak of your job, there are several competencies worth mastering to set yourself up for tremendous success.
Be Excellent at these Ten Skills
Here is my recommended list of proficiencies to hone into stellar capabilities for your career.
- Problem-solving – Critical thinking underlies this area. Be focused on seeking a solution with open-minded, rational, and disciplined thinking.
- Delivering results – Be a person of your word. Your actions and outcomes speak your integrity. Follow up and follow through.
- Communicating – Disseminate information, interact, and inform with clarity. Communication is a trifecta of writing, public speaking, and body language – work on all three.
- Being a team player – Respect everyone. Show up with the perspective that we are in this together to do extraordinary things. Affirm and empower others toward excellence.
- Assuming positive intent – Give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Level-set your expectations and intentions. Assume people are doing the best they can.
- Being empathic – Be intentional about identifying with others’ attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and experiences to sharpen clarity and deepen understanding with one another.
- Listening – Keep giving more space for attention that leads to a purposeful connection with others.
- Asking questions – My favorite one is, “Why?” Questions drive ambiguity to either clarity or mystery. Knowledge, instead of certainty, is the outcome.
- Giving feedback – Learn to provide feedback to others that is helpful, affirming, constructive, and includes a call-to-action on how to improve next time. Positive feedback is way more empowering than anything malicious or destructive.
- Being curious – Curiosity is one of the best tools for fostering a learn-it-all mindset. The possibilities are endless.
Your Turn
What are your recommendations for excellence? What is on your list?
I welcome your comments.
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