Since I'm in career transition, I've been giving talents and skills a lot of thought.
I recently read and loved Geoff Colvin's Humans Are Underrated: Proving Your Value in the Age of Brilliant Technology. His premise is that eventually it won't be the "hard skills" so valued today that will keep our jobs safe, but the soft ones that make us uniquely human. So there will be a lot fewer programmers, doctors, and lawyers and those still viable will be great at developing human ties with others: the ones with high EQ. Women will finally have an advantage when that day comes.
But that day is still some time away, and in the interim, I envy those that have a talent or skill that allows them to excel, be fulfilled, and in demand. I just finished reading Kym Gold's Golden Standard on how she founded the True Religion brand, and this perfectly demonstrates what I mean.
Kym had a knack for fashion everyone recognized and she realized this was something she could turn into a career. With each business that she founded and that didn't succeed, she learned what to do better the next time. And even when ousted from her own successful businesses, she was always able to start over since her talent was so valuable and distinctive.
That type of talent is precious. At one point I thought writing was my talent. Story ideas would present themselves all the time and I loved putting them to paper and seeing how the characters and plot evolved. Ironically majoring in creative writing dried out my inspiration. I've since discovered that I have certain strengths and try to apply them where I can, but that's not the same as talent.
I still enjoy some types of writing (obviously) and believe I have a minor talent for teaching, but neither of these are things I'm driven to do all the time or that make me stand out. The "strengths" I've discovered on the job can be deemed as minor talents as well.
Perhaps my talent is learning and evolving in addition to teaching. Maybe not the most distinctive or glamorous of talents, but perhaps more useful. And thankfully there will come a day when my soft skills will be more valued.
Do you know what your talents and strengths are? How often do you use them?
Review: Rock Bottom to Rock Star: Lessons from the Business School of Hard Knocks
Rock Bottom to Rock Star: Lessons from the Business School of Hard Knocks by Ryan BlairMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read Ryan Blair's original book, Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain a while back and enjoyed it, so picked up his latest, Rock Bottom to Rock Star. It did not disappoint.
In his second book, Ryan teaches us all what he's learned through trial and error, so that we can all become "rock stars" in our own lives and careers. Each chapter is a different tip, told in his very readable and down-to-earth tone and with anecdotes showing either how he learned the tip and/or applied it. And although some of the lessons are more obvious than others, they're all valuable. Tips include knowing your superpower, working backwards, funding first, what weakens strengthens you, wrong type of success, and many others.
A quick enjoyable read that I'd recommend for anyone interested in learning what it takes to become a business "rock star."
Review: Persuadable: How Great Leaders Change Their Minds to Change the World
Persuadable: How Great Leaders Change Their Minds to Change the World by Al PittampalliMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
There are many leadership books and I've read a good chunk of them. I've read about what it takes to be a leader, what to do and not to do, how to inspire, etc. Phrases like "analysis paralysis" and "be decisive" come up often, but Al's take on leadership is different.
We all agree that not being able to decide (aka, analysis paralysis) is bad. Most of us agree that leaders need to be good at making the tough calls. Al argues that being too decisive and sure of yourself is just as bad as the alternative. With great stories to back this up, he shows us how the greatest leaders were not afraid to be proven wrong and/or take other people's opinions. No one person can know it all and true leaders are not afraid to get advice and input from others.
This attribute is what he refers to as "persuadibility" and to get there, one must be able to "consider the opposite," "kill your darlings," "take others perspective," and "take on your own tribe," among others.
So if you are a leader, aspire to be one, or just want the mindset for success, read this book.
Review: The Cheat Code: Going Off Script to Get More, Go Faster, and Shortcut Your Way to Success
The Cheat Code: Going Off Script to Get More, Go Faster, and Shortcut Your Way to Success by Brian WongMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Brian Wong, author of The Cheat Code: Going Off Script to Get More, Go Faster, and Shortcut your Way to Success is a young entrepreneurial genius. He graduated college at age 18 and started Kiip, his current company, at age 19. Not only has his company revolutionized mobile advertising, but he was one of the youngest to receive VC funding.
This book—written in a lighthearted tone and with many short chapters—is Brian's attempt to share his "cheat code" to success. It includes tips like:
- get in over your head
- find the action
- don't ask—announce
- screw the MBA
- never learn the rules
- know when to let go
- get a trademark haircut
- focus on what won't change
One of my favorites is "know your superpower." Brian defines this as something you're so good at and enjoy doing, that you can't help but do all the time. For him, it's getting others excited about his passions and pursuits (including Kiip). His point is that it's important to know your superpower and use this as often as possible at work and otherwise. First off, why not since it's what you do best and enjoy; and second, it will only get better as you practice. He asks every potential employee what their superpower is.
A great read with lots of food for thought and highly recommended, whether you have entrepreneurial aspirations or not.
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