4 Key Job Skills Everyone Needs but Not Everyone Has
When we think about our career, we tend to focus on the type of work we do, the industry we work in, or the salary we need. These are all important factors to consider, but they are all content-driven. They represent the “what” of your work life, not the full picture of what makes a satisfying career. What is often overlooked is the importance of planning how you show up for work. The appearance is not related to work, but to how you behave at work. It means taking concrete and deliberate actions to support and maintain a satisfying career. And in order to perform effectively, you need to develop a certain set of skills.
While not an exhaustive list, four critical skills in particular will increase your ability to behave in ways that create positive interactions at work, no matter what your job is. And positive relationships at work not only lead to greater job satisfaction, they make you better at what you do.
Set boundaries and stick to them
Some jobs pride themselves on following the “no pain, no gain” mantra. Many people believe that endless work and availability day and night lead to success. This is the notion that in order to achieve success one must suffer, one must first forget .
Instead, implement practices that protect your well-being. Take deliberate small breaks to restore your energy throughout the day. Move away from your workplace, move around and communicate with colleagues. Set boundaries for the beginning and end of the working day and stick to them. It’s no surprise that when people prioritize their well-being at work, they perform better.
Know when to speak up and how to take feedback
When disagreements arise or a decision needs to be made, it is easiest to remain silent. We’ve all done it. Sometimes it’s because you believe your ideas will get shut down. In other cases, it may be due to indifference or unwillingness to take on additional responsibilities. The problem is that when you remain silent, you deprive your superiors and colleagues of a unique point of view. But speaking openly also means learning to accept feedback. Be willing to learn from others and worry less about what others think of you. This is not an easy skill, but it is very important: if your ideas are closed, try to understand why and keep moving forward as a productive team member. If you’re in an environment where you can’t do this, it could be a sign that the job isn’t right for you, but you can’t know until you take the risk and declare it.
Prioritize problem solving and flexibility over complaints
Treating problems as something to be solved rather than something to complain about is the key to a successful career. Conversely, complaints and gossip stop us and fix us instantly. You can’t get anything new if you’re fixated on a bad situation. This does not mean that you cannot complain from time to time. You can because it feels good , which means it can bring relief in a stressful moment. But it must remain short-lived.
One strategy for not complaining is to look for other points of view. If a colleague annoys you because of the way they communicate, be aware that their experience, skills, and stress can influence their behavior. Finding other points of view helps you develop empathy, which every workplace can use to a greater extent.
Contact your mentors
Mentors can benefit your career in countless ways. They provide helpful tips for coping with difficult situations, can bring new contacts into your network, and hold you accountable for your career goals.
But the real skill is to find a potential mentor and ask. The onus is on you to forge a mentoring relationship rather than waiting for one to fall into your lap. This means that you need to develop a clear understanding of what you want to learn from a mentor, tell friends and colleagues that you are looking for a mentor, build a relationship with this person, and then follow through with your meetings with him. .
Building a career is about much more than the job you do or even the industry you choose. It’s also about the relationships you build, and you do that by learning to come to work every day.