Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What has been the most useful skill in your working life?

300 replies

Bigfatfuckingfailure · 04/09/2018 20:56

What innate talents or acquired skill really stands out for you?

Bags of energy? Team player knack? Great networker? PRINCE2? Excel?

OP posts:
BareBelliedSneetch · 04/09/2018 20:57

Learning how to admit I don’t know something, and ask questions.

stressedoutpa · 04/09/2018 20:58

Being adaptable.

TwoOddSocks · 04/09/2018 20:58

Analytical and mathematical skills. (Pretty dull - wish I could say the ability to perform the trapeze)

Luglio · 04/09/2018 20:59

Touch typing. And a sense of perspective: it's only work.

southeastlondonmum · 04/09/2018 20:59

Don't want to say too much as it's outing but I'm very senior. Three things have been really useful
I'm a people person, I can speed read and I'm very fast thinker

imsorryiasked · 04/09/2018 20:59

Touch typing
Being able to prioritise
Owning up immediately if I make an error

SnuggyBuggy · 04/09/2018 21:00

Knowing when to keep my mouth shut. All this "you have to stand out from the crowd" is crap. 99% of the time bosses just want someone who will shut up and get on with the work.

MarshaBradyo · 04/09/2018 21:00

Losing inhibition, ie just going for it and also presenting / public speaking

And yes it’s just work (not a surgeon obvs)

CrazyDuchess · 04/09/2018 21:01

Positive can do attitude and networking!

StarB80 · 04/09/2018 21:01

Learning to bite my tongue and not say anything when I'm running round doing the work whilst others chat and go on their phones 😅

MayhemandMadness01 · 04/09/2018 21:02

Touch typing, grabbing every training opp that came along and saying 'no problem' alot when asked to do something.

LemonysSnicket · 04/09/2018 21:02

Knowing that I have to just get on with something if I don't want to or feel out of my comfort zone

Wearywithteens · 04/09/2018 21:02

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

StoorieHoose · 04/09/2018 21:03

The ability to tease information out of staff when they say ‘my computers not working’ when they don’t know one end of a mouse from another AND managing not to say ‘have you tried switched it off and back on again’ in a weary voice

ISeeTheLight · 04/09/2018 21:03

Fantastic Excel skills. That by far has been the most useful, from client reporting to invoicing checking.

BrynsPicasso · 04/09/2018 21:04

Being part of the solution and not part of the problem

Storm4star · 04/09/2018 21:04

Knowing how to look busy when you're not Grin

Neolara · 04/09/2018 21:04

Touch typing. Working hard. Being reliable.

Original poster
Bigfatfuckingfailure · 04/09/2018 21:04

Some cool and interesting responses here, interesting.

OP posts:
sonjadog · 04/09/2018 21:04

Being pleasant to everyone. Being able to chat to anyone.

Jimdandy · 04/09/2018 21:05

Organisation.

It’s a skill I value very high.

GrumpyOldMare · 04/09/2018 21:06

A sense of humour,asbestos hands and feet that like being abused.

Licketysplits · 04/09/2018 21:07

Excel vlookups Grin. So simple but in my office hardly anyone knows how to use them so they all think I'm magic!

tenbob · 04/09/2018 21:07

Being able to hold my booze Wink

I work in a very male-dominated industry with a big drinking culture, and being able to keep up on those nights out/trips/hospitality/lunches has opened more doors than a masters.

NotDrunk · 04/09/2018 21:07

Learning my ABCs