Skills that can take you from surviving to thriving in any career

So, you have finished school and have landed that great job you have always dreamed of. Now what? What should your game plan be for not only surviving but thriving at your job? No matter the career you have, there are some qualities and skills that can get you noticed anywhere. These key skills are usually the reason why some people reach greater heights than their peers.

Integrity

"It takes years to build a reputation and only a second to ruin it"

This might be the most under-rated career and life skill in my opinion. It is one of the most impactful skills a professional can have. If you exhibit integrity in everything you do and say, you are honest, open and transparent and your coworkers, clients and bosses are able to trust you, there is no stopping you. You would find yourself at the receiving end of recommendations for better projects, better roles, better jobs and can bring you limitless opportunities. More than that, the satisfaction you feel for an honest day’s work is unlike any other.

Empathy

Empathy is the basis of all human connection. Empathy means being able to put yourself in the shoes of another person, to be able to relate to them and look at things from their perspective. You cannot effectively work in teams or as a leader if you lack empathy. How do you develop and exhibit empathy in the workplace – by actively listening without interrupting others and never invalidating your coworkers’ ideas or inputs for a start. This will help you build better rapport with your colleagues and make you stand out in teams. It is one of the most important leadership qualities. In my experience, people like working in an environment where their ideas are heard and valued. Good leaders are the ones who make all team members feel, seen and heard.

I Hear You by Michael S. Sorenson is a great book on relationship building.

Taking ownership

Take ownership of your work so that no one has to manage your priorities and your work for you. Being responsible and holding yourself accountable without a boss having to actively manage you will go a long way in getting you noticed as leadership material. Trust me, no one enjoys babysitting other people at work. If you are able to prove time and time again that you can work independently and take full responsibility of your deliverables, you will cement your reputation as a dependable and valuable worker, the kind that every leader likes to have on their team.

Clear communication

By clear communication, I don’t mean impeccable grammar. It means the ability to convey your ideas to other people effectively. Your coworkers should be able to understand clearly what you are trying to say, be it emails, chats, phone calls or in-person conversations. In my experience, the best way to do that is prepare ahead and practice. Make use of pen and paper to note down the salient points you are going to convey so you don’t find yourself beating around the bush and you don’t forget anything important too. Read and re-read emails before sending. Try to keep your emails short by always scanning for unnecessary lines and removing them.

‘The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever’ is a great book to help you improve communication skills.

Agility and adaptability

Change is the name of the game in the professional world today. The rate at which technology and skills are becoming obsolete in the current times is unprecedented. The ability to learn, unlearn and relearn might be more important than technical know-how in any job. What you know today might not be needed a few years from now so the professionals who are quick to adapt to new technology, new processes and can acquire new skills quicker than others prove themselves to be more valuable to their employers. So, be agile and adaptable by responding quickly to change. Don’t hem and haw in the face of change, be accepting of it.

No one has done a better job of explaining the difference between people who embrace change readily and those who drag their feet than Dr. Spencer Johnson in his well loved classic – Who Moved my Cheese? – A must read for everyone.

Positive Outlook

Finally, No one likes to work with someone who drags them down by their negative talk. Be pleasant, build a positive attitude, have fun and smile readily. Try to be friendly and encouraging to your colleagues. As a working professional, you are going to spend a substantial chunk of your day at work and in the company of your colleagues. Those who make the work environment more congenial for everyone around them often end up finding lifelong friends at work! So, be the colleague everyone else loves to see and talk to every day.

I would recommend this masterpiece of a book- Principles by Ray Dahlio for deep insights and valuable guidance for work and life that we can all use more of.