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Contrarian here. I would say having something to communicate is most important. There are often
intermediaries who are skilled at taking a great new concept or solution to a problem and communicating it to others. But if there is no substance (no concept or solution) behind it then 'communication' is just noise.
I don't know if we can narrow it down to just ONE skill. It is like asking what is the most important part on a car ? If we say the motor, it is no good without the wheels, or the brakes, or the steering......every part has to work together. Same with skills.
I've known a lot of great communicators over the years who were lousy at other things, like math, writing, people skills, and bringing concepts to fruition. I've also known people who had all the book smarts in the world, but who were terrible at their people skills.
A well rounded person can communicate well, knows how to get along with others, has some degree of education and intelligence, a good work ethic and a strong desire to get ahead.
There is an old saying that goes "An expert is a person who knows a lot about a little, and a Salesman is a person who knows a little about a lot !" That pretty wells sums me up..........I know a little about a lot of subjects but am not an expert in any particular field.
Subsets would include patience, listening, relating.
"People skills" are totally overrated, IMO. It depends on your job, and your ability to text message your way in every situation. I think the most important skill we need in life is the ability to think critically, thus allowing us to make sound judgments, like foregoing college now, if applicable
Communication, compassion and empathy are all important, but very high on the list should be quantitative thinking. Innumeracy is a bigger problem than illiteracy. Innumeracy is what has collapsed our economy and the world's economy.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man
,,,. Innumeracy is a bigger problem than illiteracy. ,,,.
Reading a tape measure is a skill I have a hard time finding in $12/hr employees, They can hack up a $70 sheet of cabinet grade plywood in no time. 2 week lead time to replace, and all the sudden your $12 / hr employee has caused you to miss a contract obligation with a $400k/yr customer.
Nice going. (And they will want a raise next week (if they get a job done correctly once).
Paying their workman's comp and SS is fun too, Math skills are important for business owners. (just don't get to deep into what your $12/hr employees REALLY cost you!)
Fractions? Not a chance (Thank goodness I have been 'Metric' since Spiro Agnew was VP). Tough to make a measuring mistake using Metric. (gotta really work at it, but it happens).
Last edited by StealthRabbit; 02-21-2015 at 11:14 PM..
Subsets would include patience, listening, relating.
This is what I thought the answer would be. I had a boss once who told me the most important skill for success in his high level job was interpersonal relations - he said nothing else -- math, writing, analytic skill, knowledge of finance --came close.
I don't know if we can narrow it down to just ONE skill. It is like asking what is the most important part on a car ? If we say the motor, it is no good without the wheels, or the brakes, or the steering......every part has to work together. Same with skills.
I've known a lot of great communicators over the years who were lousy at other things, like math, writing, people skills, and bringing concepts to fruition. I've also known people who had all the book smarts in the world, but who were terrible at their people skills.
A well rounded person can communicate well, knows how to get along with others, has some degree of education and intelligence, a good work ethic and a strong desire to get ahead.
There is an old saying that goes "An expert is a person who knows a lot about a little, and a Salesman is a person who knows a little about a lot !" That pretty wells sums me up..........I know a little about a lot of subjects but am not an expert in any particular field.
Don
The question is not "what is the only skill". It asks "what is the #1 skill?". Of course there is a #2, #3, etc.
Since, to the best of my knowledge, "communication" per se isn't taught in elementary school, doesn't that really translate to teaching reading and writing?
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