Beyond Talent

Talent, ambition, and technical ability – you possess the first two attributes, and you are on your way to achieving the third. And all three are healthy prerequisites for a successful career.

But there is another, hidden set of non-technical skills that few teachers, professors, or bosses take the time to impart. These are the learned, social skills that achievers begin practicing in grade school, and continue to hone – even master during college and afterward. Few have acknowledged these all-too-often self-taught skills. But they are essential tools that you will need as you embark on your career.

I will use six non-technical success skills to frame our discussion of specific scenarios and topics that will help you to address your questions, and help you to achieve a meaningful college experience – that will segue into your first job in your chosen field, one that truly inspires you.

Below are the skills I have identified over thirty years of career coaching and intensive study of highly successful achievers in myriad fields of work. I use them in my work with college students, entry-level employees, and mid-career professionals. They are the six non-technical skills that will guide you through college and beyond:

Exploration
Do you listen to your instincts or are you a prisoner of your obligations?
Risk
Do you develop new relationships and try out new ideas despite the fear of rejection?
Connection
In your social interactions are you more like a guest or a host?
Presentation
Do you wait to be discovered or do you position yourself so that your talents will be indispensable?
Elevation
Do you see yourself as a cog in the wheel or have you apprenticed yourself to a mentor?
Magnification
Do you share your knowledge with bright up and comers as your mentors did?

Over the years, I have written many books and countless articles about these non-technical skills, and how to develop them. I have coached people in all stages of learning, in both fabulous economic times and terrifying ones. Right now, we are living in a time of downsizing, layoffs, job-changing, which causes grief and anxiety – and intense competition for highly desired careers. In this turbulent climate, I would like to make the six success skills available to you, so you may memorize them, use them as tools, and successfully find a job before graduation.

When you do enter the workforce you may want to "graduate" to my career blog: http://dradele.livejournal.com/, which uses the same principles you will find here, and explores topics relevant to individuals in all stages of careering. As you continue your education in college and throughout your career, I look forward to your comments, questions, and success stories!