The significance of ongoing skill development for my studies and future employability is frequently disregarded. In the contemporary, fiercely competitive corporate environment, every product and endeavor aims to acquire a competitive advantage. It is imperative that I do not lag behind in this quest for leadership and distinction. The extent to which I enhance my skills during this phase of continuous skill development and progress largely dictates my prospects for future employment. Hence, it is vital to prioritize specific aspects in this stage of my life.
Skills play a crucial role in the success of the organization I desire to join. Effective communication holds significant importance in any profession as it showcases my capability to comprehend and convey ideas efficiently. Although my verbal communication skills may not be outstanding, expressing my thoughts clearly and passionately could greatly advantage the company, providing us with a competitive edge. Communication serves as a platform for me to showcase my authentic self; nevertheless, it necessitates courage and self-confidence.
Some individuals fail to acknowledge the importance of engaging with others, hindering their ability to recognize their own great ideas. Even if they excel in various domains, their ineffective communication skills prevent them from connecting with others. Effective communication encompasses both sending and receiving messages that foster interpersonal relationships. It comprises two vital components: listening and speaking, both of which are crucial for successful interpersonal communication.
Listening is a crucial component of effective communication, necessitating an open mind and heart towards the other party (Hellriegel, 2002, p.14-15). However, obstacles may impede attentive listening. To overcome this, it is vital to learn how to listen with an open mind and show respect to the speaker.
Speaking is a voluntary act that allows individuals to authentically express themselves to others. It functions as a means of being heard and accepted for one’s true self. Communication always aims at fostering interpersonal relationships (Otter, 2002, p.13). Establishing an informal communication network is essential for future employability as it helps establish social connections. By refining informal communication skills, one enhances their chances of joining a reputable company in the future (Otter, 2002, p.15).
In addition, acquiring formal communication skills is important for future employability purposes. Effective communication involves keeping others informed about significant events and activities while staying updated on their current situation. When interacting with individuals in positions of authority, formal communication can enable a more personal connection that leaves a positive impression of intellect and knowledge.
At present, I am faced with challenges that compel me to diligently work on overcoming them in order to enhance my overall communication abilities.
“It is not a matter of how many times I fall. It is a matter of how many times I rise every time I fall,” as the old saying goes.
Moreover, leadership skills are another crucial skill that I believe is necessary during the development stage and for my future employability. Unlike something you are born with or inherit from your parents, leadership can be learned and acquired. Nevertheless, developing leadership competency requires continuous effort and demands considerable energy and self-confidence to step up and take on the responsibility of guiding others towards a specific goal.
As a leader, it is crucial for me to prioritize the individuals at the center of leadership and recognize their unique qualities and skills. I must appreciate and encourage these attributes in order for them to thrive. Demonstrating originality and unmatched skills that inspire trust is important for maintaining my own identity as a leader. Leadership skills allow others to follow the path or vision I present, helping us achieve our goals. However, collaboration from everyone within my organization is essential in building these goals (Kotler, 2006, p.212). Upholding moral and legal values is also necessary as a leader to guide followers in a positive direction.
In the corporate world, being a leader goes beyond pressuring or coercing employees into compliance with my desires. An exemplary leader for me is David Pottruck, president and co-CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation (http://www.schwab.com). His company’s mission focuses on providing customers with useful and ethical financial services globally. Currently employing over 18,000 individuals across 360 offices, Charles Schwab Company leads in discounted financial services online and over the phone.According to David Pottruck of Charles Schwab, effective leadership entails building strong interpersonal connections rather than solely depending on organizational strategies, constitutions, and schemes. Previously known for his assertive and resolute approach, Pottruck acknowledges that he was excessively aggressive and overly competitive due to his high energy levels.
People were afraid and uncomfortable around him, causing his relationships to suffer. Realizing this, he recognized the need for change and made it happen. During one of his speeches, he emphasized that being a leader brings out either the best or worst in us. A feedback on David Pottruck’s leadership stood out to me: in order to lead a fast-paced organization, one must be able to learn quickly and adapt to reinvent the organization.
In addition, David Pottruck transformed the whole organization and in doing so, he began transforming himself. As CEO of Charles Schwab, Pottruck instills trust and continuously motivates employees to embrace innovation and advance with confidence. He evolves into a leader who attentively listens to his team and empowers them to express their ideas and viewpoints. He promotes their growth as leaders and backs their endeavors in taking risks. Reflecting on Pottruck’s leadership journey, I gained an understanding that the numerous skills an effective leader possesses result from continual growth.
Through my experiences, I have discovered the crucial role trust plays in relationships between leaders and followers. It has become clear to me that effective leaders are those who communicate openly, providing clear guidance and objectives for their constituents. Pottruck’s insights further reinforced my belief in the importance of transparent and two-way communication. Additionally, I have recognized the value of fostering strong teamwork skills. Teamwork involves individuals working together harmoniously towards a common goal. In today’s business landscape, many companies rely on teams to effectively manage and operate the organization as a whole.
Previously, I used to differentiate between the leaders and members of a team when considering teamwork. However, my perspective has changed. I now perceive teamwork as a skill that requires taking on leadership roles, supporting and guiding others who assume leadership positions, and collaborating with colleagues on tasks that do not have a designated group leader. I view teamwork as an essential competency because many managerial responsibilities involve performing these activities simultaneously.
Drucker (1999) states that in a team setting, knowledge-worker productivity is characterized by managers or a team leader being responsible for designing the team’s goal and ensuring commitment to the task. In a well-organized team, members willingly accept their roles and responsibilities. The team can then create strategies to track their progress towards achieving the organizational goal. This approach helps prevent any confusion among team members about which tasks they should prioritize and delegate to others.
Drucker (1999, pp. 79 – 80) states that the competence of a team is contingent upon having an appropriate number of members. If there are too many members, it can result in individuals who contribute little effort. Conversely, if there are too few members, stress and obstacles to reaching goals may arise. I firmly believe that teamwork is essential for harnessing the unique strengths possessed by each team member. To maximize their potential, I assign tasks that align with their individual abilities. When collaborating as a team, my primary aim is to achieve collective success rather than focusing on individual accomplishments.
During a job interview, one common question is “How well can you work with others?” This question aims to assess the applicant’s ability to collaborate effectively in a team or if they are better suited for independent work. If teamwork is valued by the company, a negative response could harm the applicant’s chances. To improve my collaboration skills, I actively participate in activities that involve interacting with others. I strive to understand and empathize with others’ perspectives when faced with doubts or self-centeredness. I recognize that there is still progress to be made in developing my teamwork abilities and I am currently engaged in learning and improvement.
Additionally, I understand the importance of self-management. Self-management involves taking responsibility for all aspects of my life and how they impact me. When things don’t go well, I have noticed a tendency to blame others or external circumstances for my challenges. According to Don Hellriegel (2002), self-management skills include honesty, ethical conduct, personal accountability, adaptability, achieving work-life balance, as well as self-awareness and personal growth.
According to a book I read, achieving success requires dedicating 40 percent of one’s time to self-management, including moral values, character, principles, motivation, and behavior. Modern companies prioritize integrity and righteous behavior in their employees. When hiring entry-level individuals without significant work experience or technical skills, companies rely heavily on personal qualities.
This also applies to young job seekers, as numerous companies value the integrity, authenticity, dedication, and genuine enthusiasm of young individuals more than their technical skills. I became aware of Jeff Bezos, the creator of Amazon.com, during the initial stages of his business venture. He demanded personal drive and tenacity from his staff members. Numerous individuals regarded his concept of an internet-based company as impractical and simply a figment of his imagination.
His parents were the sole supporters who believed in him enough to financially back his pursuit of his dream, despite facing doubt from others. The remarkable triumph of Amazon.com serves as an exceptional demonstration of personal ambition and determination, motivating others to do the same. Acquiring the skills necessary for effectively engaging potential employers is vital to me. When given the opportunity to present myself before an employer, I must exhibit confidence and decisiveness without any hesitation in both my words and actions, striving to leave a flawless impression of reliability and self-assurance.
References: Otter, Scot (2005) Business Communication, 9th ed. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA. Hellriegel, D., Jackson, S., Slocum, J. W. (2002) Management: A competency based Approached, Southwest-Western Thompson Learning Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Kotler, Philip (1999) Marketing Management, Northwestern University, Prentice Hall International, NJ, USA. Drucker, Peter F. (1999) Knowledge Worker Productivity: The biggest Challenge, California Management Review, USA. http://www.amazon.com. http://www.schab.com
