Important Skills To Develop

There are many skills that you need to have in order to be successful in your career.  I’ve mentioned communication skills in blogs discussed prior to this one. Below I will list a short list of skills you must learn and master to succeed in the workplace.

1. Conflict Management

There will be times where you will disagree with your co-workers, supervisors, and boss. When this happens it is important to know how to handle the situation.  There is a book name Dale Carnegie’s How To Win Friends and Influence People my management professor suggested that we read it. This book deals with people told in straightforward manner.

Rules

Treat People with Respect- This doesn’t mean you have to love your co-workers and boss’s. Everyone should be treated with respect. Think of it like this, even when you can be right in situations, the other person feel as though they are right as well.

The more you learn how to deal with people, different personalities, and situations the less stress you will have and the happier you will be at work. Nobody wants to work and make six figures but have to leave work to buy a round of shots because people drove you crazy.

Some people may never like you-

Conflict management doesn’t necessarily mean situations also means resolving issues as well. It is imperative that you learn to agree to disagree. Majority of conflicts now are always funny a few months later. What is the point to be depressed and pissed off? Let it go!

Whatever field you may be in, learn to deal with conflict in a positive way. There are many articles out there including the one I’ve attached to this blog that will help and guide you. Be smart, and actually read it. I promise your life will be less stressful.

2. Team Building

This is another skill that you need in order to be successful. You will undoubtedly always have to work in teams. No matter what field you decide to work in, there will be task that requires more than one person to complete it. You need to learn how to work with people to be successful and learn how to build teams if you decide to become a manager.

Team building has its own strengths and weakness I can’t lie. You accomplish things faster and build relationships with others or you’re not working well with others and can’t seem to agree on something important.

Here are a few keys that will improve your effectiveness managing and working in teams. These that I list are skills that you should practice and master.

Listen

Often when there is a problem, nobody wants to listen they just want to be heard. Try to sit down and let the other person speak. You just listen. Don’t interrupt the, don’t even try to correct them even if they say something wrong. Just let them talk, then speak. Most problems are solved when people are venting.

My Management professor calls it “Compassionate Listening”.  You listen to others thoughts without judging, cutting them off, or correcting them. After they are done talking let them know you heard them and understand their frustrations.

Learn to Let Go

Majority of problems are that big of a deal. Sometimes you may have to ask yourself why are you fighting?  Some people say when you go of your thoughts and opinions and let the other person win, you will still be able to focus and do your job with no interruptions. Just like old times. You don’t risk much by letting the other person when most of the time.  You are trying to keep the drama at minimum.

Compromise

Look for places where you agree with others and look for compromises.

Make Deals

It is easier to make deals when working with teams so that everyone works together. On the basketball court, players put their differences aside because they all want to win the game.  Just like the business world, find common goals that every team member agrees on so they put their differences aside. When you find out what those goals are, make a deal with everyone to work together and achieve.

Accept your team

There are slackers, liars, cheaters, backstabbers, and pain in the but people in the business world. Try to accept these people the best way you can so you can focus on the work. You can’t always be friends with everyone.

3. Problem Solving

Don’t run away from problems. As time goes on, problems become more complex.  You will eventually have more responsibilities and challenges.  So, the question would be, how do you deal with problems?

It is said that successful people ask questions out of the norm. But a person who is successful asks the correct questions like “What’s right”?When you have a problem ask yourself this question, “what’s right about this?”

Asking what’s right is trying to come up with a solution. You have a challenging situation before you and whatever positive you can find you want it. Every successful person goes through challenges that they over come. They did not punk out and run away, instead they tackled the issue. The question “what’s right” ask you to think outside the box  to handle the situation.

4. Influencing. Sales & Negotiation

These skills are related to each other. The more you can influence someone the more you can sell. I’m sure you get the picture.  Just because it is not your dream to become a sales person you don’t have to sell. You have to sell yourself at interviews, to co-workers, and ect. You also negotiate all the time. Asking for vacation time, salaries, and bonuses. The level of influence you have over people will determine if you can sale and negotiate with people. It’s simply up to you!

Listed below are links that will help you when your faced with conlict manament.

http://mdbgroup.com/conflict1.html

http://facs.pppst.com/conflictresolution.html