This guide outlines why you need to focus on business and career skills, and how to do it successfully.
You never know what direction life is going to take. One minute, you’re working what you think is a secure job, the next you’re out the door on your tail. Because of this, it’s a good idea to brush up on your business and career skills, no matter what career you’re embroiled in right now. If you get kicked out the door one day, you want to feel confident that you have the skills to start something new and make a success out of it.
Many people believe that careers and training for business are incompatible. However, there are numerous ways to bring the two activities together. You can actually work on career skills in parallel with your job, since there is considerable overlap. This way, you can prepare yourself for a more entrepreneurial life in the future while paying the bills today.
How to improve business and career skills
So what, exactly, do you need to do to brush up on your business and career skills? Let’s take a look.
Work On How You Communicate With Yourself
Virtually all self-improvement comes from improving the conversations that you have with yourself. It’s something that sages and wise folk have talked about for millennia. If you can master your inner game, then there’s nothing you cannot do in the world. But what does that mean in practice for career skills?
First, it involves changing your standards. Many people get into a rut of thinking that life is good enough and that they don’t need to progress. But taking a position like that is actually a trap. It keeps you from expanding and it justifies your present position, which isn’t what you want.
Second, it means checking that you’re not making decrees about your life. Saying things like “I’m not a good leader,” or “that’s too difficult” isn’t just negativity, it is shaping your life. Your thoughts will, if you repeat them enough times, become your destiny.
Thirdly, better self-communication means knowing when you need time out or a break. Nobody can work twenty-four-seven, and so you shouldn’t try. Instead, listen to your body and take time out when you need it, even if it is just for a fifteen-minute walk as a breather in the afternoon.
Lastly, check in with your emotions. Pay attention to how you feel. If your inner experience is spinning out of control, any future business you want to create will, too.
Work On Your Organization Skills
Part of running a business is about having great ideas. But the majority of the process is just about organizing everyone in your environment to be as productive as possible, including yourself.
The level of efficiency you can achieve as a businesswoman is quite extraordinary. But it does require planning and foundation business and career skills.For instance, time management is important. This means setting blocks for when you’ll get certain tasks done, and not deviating from your plan.
Delegation is also essential. You need to be able to hand over tasks to other people so you can focus on the things most likely to add value.
You’ll also want to get a handle on your personal finances. Make sure that you have enough money so that you don’t wind up compromising your health. Keep your work and personal finances separate to avoid the temptation to cross-spend. Automate all your saving, investing, and spending so you can focus more on making your business work.
Build Your Business Acumen
Even while you’re working, you can still build your career skills in the area of business acumen. For instance, show a greater interest in the finance and marketing side of the business you work for already.
Ask how the business model works and whether it is successful. Speak with colleagues who deal with the accounts and talk to them about their observations of the company: what works and what doesn’t.
In the background, sign up for training. These days, you can get a Graduate Certificate in Business online which teaches all the fundamentals of running a successful enterprise. This way, you can build your general knowledge of what makes companies tick before trying to build your own.
Develop Your Interpersonal Skills
If you work alone, you’ll struggle to build interpersonal business and career skills. But as long as your work with other people, you can improve how you relate to others in ways that will support you in business in the future.
For instance, when communicating with other people, acknowledge their expertise. Defer to them on issues and let them make the final decision. When colleagues or team members can make their own decisions, they feel more trusted and valued, and productivity goes up. It also makes them more loyal. They want to be around leaders who give them permission to spread their wings.
You’ll also want to focus on your communication skills. Above all, you should use these to make everyone feel like a part of the team. Nobody should be left out.
If there are problems at work, be transparent. Talk about your concerns. Avoid the temptation to brush issues under the carpet.
Lastly, if the option is available to you, join a team-building activity in your workplace. Take part in a club or organize something yourself. Get to know your colleagues so that you can practice being in professional social situations. These will prepare you for meeting and entertaining clients if you decide to become an entrepreneur.
Start Developing Yourself As A Leader
Leadership doesn’t come easily. But it is the sort of thing that develops naturally when you do it, not when you study it.
Try setting yourself up as a mentor for a younger or less experienced colleague. Guide them through the work and provide them with valuable insights.
If that option isn’t available, take a proactive role in motivating your team members. Colleagues will immediately notice and earmark you as a promotion candidate.
Always Be Curious
Lastly, today’s top business leaders are always curious and learning about the world. They look for patterns so that they can discover new opportunities. Try to develop your inner drive for life-long learning and see where it leads you. The payoffs can be tremendous.
