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

[Bigfatfuckingfailure]

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

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

Perspective.

I’m not a pilot or a surgeon, so if a deadline is missed or a report contains a small mistake, so what? Nobody died.

Speed reading, touch typing and being able to organise.

Some people can’t organise for shit in my team and then moan when I have time to take my lunch break and they have to work through theirs to get the same amount of work done!

greebol I'm exactly the same on the interview thing! I am always paranoid that people are disappointed they hired me because I don't think I live up to my own promise!

Great thread, mine are massive enthusiasm (even if I fake it sometimes), being very cheery and saying not a problem when asked to do something.

I am quite good at reading people and getting them to do what I want, nicely. I am very determined and don't take no for an answer.

However I am rubbish in a team, hate being micro managed and get frustrated with people who I don't think work or care as much as I do. I struggle to finish projects and have to make myself.

Definitely fake it until you make it and google is your friend! I love a challenge and succeeding.

Where were all you people with excel skills last time I interviewed?

*'Absolutely no problem, leave it with me'

^ actually I have no fucking clue what you're on about, give me an hour or so and I'll have it figured out.*

Came on to say this ^^ don't be panicked into guessing or lying or giving a wrong answer. Put the phone down and work it out.

The ability to look completely unconcerned and unoffended when people start yelling. Not batting an eyelid when someone is purple in the face & the spittle is flying makes people want you on their side.

And driving. I’ve driven calmly in lots of countries in all sorts of weather, while having no clue what the road signs say. Mostly to trade shows and conferences. I’ve managed not to hit anything yet.

A critical illness policy and marriage relatively young to a kind and clever man saved me from financial calamity when a medical condition ended my nascent career, so I would say “effective disaster planning”.

Lol at quick sand, hot coals and making tea!

Touch typing, basic excel skills, good organisation and being able to meet people and listen to/talk to them. The last one doesn't come naturally at all and I had to learn it. I am less good at the talking bit but I have realised over time I am really good at the listening bit. I hear what they want to say vs just what they say. Its made a huge difference -when you know what people really want to see/hear/achieve you can present info in different ways.

@PersisFord please tell us how. That is a skill I particularly would like.

Otherwise touch typing is useful every where. Good organization and looking like I know the answer. Great customer service skills. Owning up to getting it wrong. Staying power.

" I hear what they want to say vs just what they say. Its made a huge difference -when you know what people really want to see/hear/achieve you can present info in different ways."
I'm going to work on that. Any particular tips?

Just do your job, and don't be a dick.

Simple, but very effective.

Being able to strike up positive relationships very quickly with vulnerable and distressed people.
The ability to transfer information accurately and quickly into writing.
Good networking skills.

I just wish I could touch type...

Touch typing and group skills.

btw I love Sooty, touch typing is very easy to learn. I use this one to brush up.

www.typingstudy.com/

Don't want to say too much as it's outing but I'm very senior

Theresa, you're not really a people person. 😂😂

Giving an empathetic no. Coined by a former boss - I can say no but people don't feel they've lost out. Usually it's actually a "No, but..." or "No. Have you thought about..."

Conflict resolution!
Given the fact that I've resolved 10+ incidents in classrooms for the past 6 years, I'm pretty sure that , given 20 minutes, I could broker world peace! 😂

Good acting skills. All work is acting the part. Faking the 'looking interested face'.

Grit
Enthusiasm
Flexibility
A smile

I give good feedback when people do well. In my experience being positive about people you work with reflects well on you and moaning about colleagues makes you look like the problem. It also makes good ppl want to work with and for you.

@Serbska
@Muddlingalongalong

I too think we might have been separated at birth!

Can i add sumifs into the excel ring, 27 nested if formulae all working seamlessly, it’s amazing! Far better than pivot tables for extracting information.

I’m loving this thread.

So many women being positive about themselves, their skills and their in the workplace - go team!

Coming to work on time, getting on well with other team members, asking questions and getting involved in meetings, looking generally busy and industrious and doing work well when asked to do it or when work comes up that you can do a good job at. I think this all goes a long way to having a good reputation while not having to work very hard or do lots extra most of the time. Then when a promotion comes up actually apply for it and take time to give examples of your best work that meet the criteria. Most of the battle is having the confidence to go for opportunities. I'm another one who interviews well and doesn't live up to the promise!

*their place in the