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Here are the 16 skills that have fueled my career and have taken me to places I never imagined.
(And yes, I promise they will change your life.)
A thread
(And yes, I promise they will change your life.)
A thread
1. Knowing when's enough.
Most of the time, good is more than enough (You don't need to find the perfect solution.)
Learn to balance constraints and know where and when to compromise.
A good approach is to always start with "no", and move slowly from there.
Most of the time, good is more than enough (You don't need to find the perfect solution.)
Learn to balance constraints and know where and when to compromise.
A good approach is to always start with "no", and move slowly from there.
2. Knowing when to ask for help.
If you get stuck, ask for help.
Don't spin your wheels indefinitely trying to solve a problem that can be easily solved by someone else.
Know when you should keep trying, and when to stop and ask.
If you get stuck, ask for help.
Don't spin your wheels indefinitely trying to solve a problem that can be easily solved by someone else.
Know when you should keep trying, and when to stop and ask.
3. Knowing how to communicate.
You shouldn't only work on your verbal and writing skills, but you should learn how to properly communicate at every level with people around you.
(Also, being able to clearly explain a problem and/or a solution is an incredibly useful asset.)
You shouldn't only work on your verbal and writing skills, but you should learn how to properly communicate at every level with people around you.
(Also, being able to clearly explain a problem and/or a solution is an incredibly useful asset.)
4. Knowing how to handle criticism.
Eventually, you are going to be criticized by the mistakes you made.
Understand the value of the criticism and learn how to get the best out of it. Use this opportunity as a learning experience and shape yourself based on it.
Eventually, you are going to be criticized by the mistakes you made.
Understand the value of the criticism and learn how to get the best out of it. Use this opportunity as a learning experience and shape yourself based on it.
5. Knowing how to give criticism.
When calling out somebody because of a mistake, focus the problem in a constructive way, and communicate it clearly.
Be kind, direct, factual, and offer positive suggestions to overcome the situation.
When calling out somebody because of a mistake, focus the problem in a constructive way, and communicate it clearly.
Be kind, direct, factual, and offer positive suggestions to overcome the situation.
6. Knowing how to prioritize.
Learn the value of every task on your plate and prioritize accordingly.
As human beings, our natural instinct is to work on what's more fun or give us the least amount of trouble, but that's not necessarily the right order.
Flight this urge.
Learn the value of every task on your plate and prioritize accordingly.
As human beings, our natural instinct is to work on what's more fun or give us the least amount of trouble, but that's not necessarily the right order.
Flight this urge.
7. Knowing how to improve.
Learn all about learning.
Learn how to become better at what you do and how to become better at what you are not doing yet.
There's an incredible value on a professional that knows how to improve their skillset.
Learn all about learning.
Learn how to become better at what you do and how to become better at what you are not doing yet.
There's an incredible value on a professional that knows how to improve their skillset.
8. Knowing how to delegate.
Every day, all around you, there are multiple opportunities for you to delegate.
Learn how to tackle the tasks where you are going to provide real value and delegate the rest.
(No, you do not need to be in a managerial position to delegate.)
Every day, all around you, there are multiple opportunities for you to delegate.
Learn how to tackle the tasks where you are going to provide real value and delegate the rest.
(No, you do not need to be in a managerial position to delegate.)
9. Knowing how to share.
No person is an island.
Everything you learn, share with everybody else.
Blog, email people, whiteboard things in front of your team, and find ways to spread your knowledge with everyone.
(Yes, tweeting also works!)
No person is an island.
Everything you learn, share with everybody else.
Blog, email people, whiteboard things in front of your team, and find ways to spread your knowledge with everyone.
(Yes, tweeting also works!)
10. Knowing how to be a team player.
Learn how to properly communicate and collaborate with your team.
Key question: "How can I support them better?"
Find a role within the group and leverage your strengths. Be a leader in your area and motivate others to do the same.
Learn how to properly communicate and collaborate with your team.
Key question: "How can I support them better?"
Find a role within the group and leverage your strengths. Be a leader in your area and motivate others to do the same.
11. Knowing how to multitask.
I know they say "focus on one thing at the time."
Reality is more difficult 
.
You'll have to do several things at once!
Learn how to alternate tasks appropriately, and decide how much time to give your entire attention to specific tasks.
I know they say "focus on one thing at the time."
Reality is more difficult .You'll have to do several things at once!
Learn how to alternate tasks appropriately, and decide how much time to give your entire attention to specific tasks.
12. Knowing how to lead.
You're very good at something *today*. Yes, you!
Improve on it, share your knowledge, delegate to others, and be a leader in that area.
You can be one!
(Leading has nothing to do with titles, salaries, or positions.)
You're very good at something *today*. Yes, you!
Improve on it, share your knowledge, delegate to others, and be a leader in that area.
You can be one!
(Leading has nothing to do with titles, salaries, or positions.)
13. Knowing how to meet deadlines.
Your word is your best asset, so once you set a date, don't miss it.
If you are gonna be consistent on a single thing throughout your career, make it this one: learn how to commit and meet deadlines.
Your word is your best asset, so once you set a date, don't miss it.
If you are gonna be consistent on a single thing throughout your career, make it this one: learn how to commit and meet deadlines.
14. Knowing how to motivate.
Motivating those around you is a very valuable skill.
If you are the one sparking the fire and then keeping it alive, everyone will want to stay close to you.
Motivating those around you is a very valuable skill.
If you are the one sparking the fire and then keeping it alive, everyone will want to stay close to you.
15. Knowing how to be proactive.
Being proactive means being able to anticipate what's coming and react accordingly before it actually happens.
Don't wait until somebody asks. Don't wait for the problem to become a problem.
Be first and get on top of things.
Being proactive means being able to anticipate what's coming and react accordingly before it actually happens.
Don't wait until somebody asks. Don't wait for the problem to become a problem.
Be first and get on top of things.
16. Knowing how to be thorough.
Make sure you cover all your basis.
Think two steps ahead and don't give half-finished solutions when you have the time to do better than that.
Make sure you cover all your basis.
Think two steps ahead and don't give half-finished solutions when you have the time to do better than that.
I'm always trying to find ways to improve, so I'd love to know what's the skill that you think has shaped your career the most?
