Life and careers are built in layers.
Baby’s first is to lift their heads. Next they roll over. Then start reaching for things and pulling their selves forward. Next start crawling. Then pull their self upright and using support to not fall over. Take first steps holding on. Those brave first steps. Toddling. Walking. Running. Skipping.
It is not that babies don’t fail. They fall over and over. But they see everyone else walking on 2 legs, so they assume they can do it.
Second look how important skills are. We would not trust surgery to a high school student. Doctors are developed through general studies, science classes, medical studies, learning how to research, practicing techniques, supervised practice sessions interviewing patients, learning procedures, observing surgeon’s, and preforming first procedures under supervision. Only then are they allowed to practice surgery, and even then hospitals supervise doctors.
Our skills start young how to play, do activities, repetition, study, learn languages, math, socialize, fail and recover. We learn more depth in all these topics plus sports and after school activities. Basics.
We go to college to learn how to study, to think, use research, to do research, to come to wrong conclusions, then be guided to better conclusions. More importantly we meet many more people who are different than us - hometowns, looks, wealth, beliefs, opinions and politics. They aren’t evil, but think different. We compare thoughts, debate, and learn from each other.
At work we learn to serve the customers. They too have different needs, wants and desires. To be successful we prepare business cases, estimate costs, market and sell ideas. We get promoted and learn to lead and manage people. To teach the skills that will make them successful as our legacy.
All these layers are not the same. Some are much more important than others. Some skills take longer to develop. Others have little value. Nor do they stack neatly.
Instead a few key talents push you upward. Which are your key skills?
