Do timeless skills and methods count?

Do old memories, skills, methods, and even technologies serve a purpose? Or are they forgotten, without any value extraction whatsoever?

I recently talked to a group of young entrepreneurs and asked them how they came up with ideas for their inventions. The answers were different and very diverse, but one thing was in common - they used the past experiences of their own and others in making decisions.

Here are some skills and methods (Top 10) which are timeless, based on my observations and experience. If you can develop those, you will have the advantage in running your own business, and please any employer if you are looking for a job or trying to advance within the existing one. Don't be afraid to talk about these skills because they may seem blatantly obvious, yet, in my experience, not many practice them or fitness them.

So here goes!

1. Problem-solving - old methods or new, old generations or young, this skill is one of the most important ones - if you can't solve the problem, or even anticipate it, using your experience or intuition, you can't function - period!

2. Analytical reasoning and logic - Analytical reasoning is, in some ways, part of your problem-solving skills: taking the larger problem and breaking it down into smaller problems to identify a solution. If you can't do it, you can't function either.

3. Critical thinking - Like problem-solving and analytical reasoning, critical thinking is the evaluation and interpretation of information to make a judgment, conclude, or choose a course of action. If you can't judge a situation properly, you can't come up with a reason or a solution. Now think about that!

4. Adaptability - if I couldn't adapt, being an immigrant, I wouldn't be able to survive - adaptability is key to survival and growth or advancement. "Adapt or die" say some motivators and speakers - well, we certainly had to adapt during the Pandemic, and in some cases, some made a profit and did very well beyond adaptation.

5. Leadership - but what do you do with all of the above? You need to lead! In some way or form, leadership is essential to the successful outcome of any business or endeavor. The great thing about it is that you can learn leadership skills - you don't have to be born with them.

6. Teamwork - remember something important about teamwork: being on the team and being part of the team are two separate things. In the end - whether you are working solo or in the company of others, being a 'team player' is important. And that means you can balance your 'taking' and 'giving' in terms of learnings and contributions.

7. Communications - it's not just about having great oral skills - your essential communication skills are your ability to share ideas and information clearly and concisely, leaving no room for misunderstanding or error. You need to communicate effectively and efficiently so whomever you are communicating with understands your message.

8. Listening - Listening skills, specifically active listening skills, are transferable skills that cannot be overlooked, especially if you’re in management or growing your own business. To solve a problem for a client or resolve team conflicts, you have to be able to listen and understand what the other side is saying. If you aren’t a good listener, you may not truly understand what the speaker conveys.

9. Creativity - Creativity isn’t always about your painting or drawing skills (unless it’s relevant to your role). Creativity is about how you approach tasks and solve problems. Are you an out-of-the-box thinker? Do you employ novel techniques to help clients understand how to use the product? Creative thinkers find non-standard solutions to the problems they or their clients/partners face.

And finally...

10. Attention to detail and nuances - Paying attention to the finer details means you notice everything. You go through life with a fine-tooth comb to make sure it’s all correct and that nothing—no matter how small—gets lost. Being detail-oriented means others can count on you to pay attention and catch issues while correcting them as needed. It also means that you’re intentional about life and work tasks and strategies, and there’s strong reasoning behind all decisions. In some cases, it translates into life and death decisions as well as outcomes.

I hope I was able to share the above for the benefit - you can start practicing them immediately and notice your results immediately as well. Practice them and practice them well - I promise you will be a better person for it, and it can even make you happier!