Improving on just 3 workplace skills can help image
I want to pass on some wisdom from the bible of corporate ladder climbing: Dilbert. And no, it's not how to make the pointy-haired boss appreciate you.
Scott Adams, the creator of the comic strip, wrote a piece on his blog that has me thinking a little more than what makes me comfortable.
Adams has a degree in economics and an MBA. But he said he could draw better than 75 percent of people and had a decent sense of humor - probably funnier than 75 percent of people. Thus his career as a cartoonist specializing in making fun of the corporate cube life.
He writes in his blog: "If you want an average successful life, it doesn't take much planning. Just stay out of trouble, go to school, and apply for jobs you might like."
He writes that if you want to do something extraordinary, you can do one of two things:
- Become the best at one specific thing. (And someone already has the record for hot dog eating.)
- Or you can become very good - at least in the top 25 percent - at three things.
His recommendation was to discover things that you are good at, the things that rank you in top 25 percent of people.
While I am not sure his was an original idea, it was a concept that started me down a path of self-discovery - at least until "The Office" came on.
What are my three things?
Well, I am pretty good at shopping, but that's probably not what he meant.
I was always good with numbers, so I studied economics in school. But that degree alone wasn't going to get me the Manolo Blahnik shoes I've been eyeing, or help me move up the corporate ladder.
The question: What other skills can I bring to this job?
Careerbuilder.com lists good communication, time management and problem solving as some of the top skills employers look for in candidates to hire and promote.
So which of these can you claim to be in the top quarter of all people?
"I always advise young people to become good public speakers. Anyone can do it with practice," Adams writes. "If you add that talent to any other, suddenly you're the boss of the people who have only one skill."
Imagine if you had three of these skills - you could rule the cube farm!
Before getting an MBA on top of an engineering degree, or a law degree on top of the "Arts and Culture of Ancient Civilizations" degree that sounded interesting at the time, think about the skills you can improve with a little bit of practice and time.
Concentrate on beefing up those buzz words - like effective communication skills and better time management.
Here are the skills Careerbuilder.com identifies as being in demand, and with a little self-analysis, they may be the easiest to identify and improve upon:
- Strong work ethic. Are you motivated and dedicated to getting the job done? Or are you out the door at 4:55 p.m. no matter what project is due tomorrow?
- Good communication. Are you both articulate and a good listener? Or does it take you 15 minutes to put together a three-sentence e-mail?
- Time management. Do you know how to prioritize tasks and work on several different projects at once? Or will you spend two days on the cover sheet and only two hours on the report?
- Problem solving. Are you resourceful and able to creatively solve problems that will inevitably arise? Or do you blame your boss, who was probably the problem anyway?
- Accepting and learning from criticism. Do you cry at criticism? Or are you coachable and open to learning how to make a proper pot of coffee?
- Flexibility. Are you able to adapt to new situations and challenges? Or will you freeze like a deer in headlights?
Another thing I discovered: I am decent at communication. Writing always came naturally, while some of you might disagree with me at the moment.
The combination of that and my business knowledge led me to what I do today.
Now I am looking for the third thing that, combined with my other skills, will set me apart from others. Maybe I can brush up on my underwater basket-weaving skills.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments