A skill is simply the ability to do something well. Yet whenever we hear the word, we often think of skills like photography, videography, or writing—useful, yes, but not the full picture. Have you ever thought about the core skills that make all the others possible?
Many of these foundational skills don’t require formal education. If you have them, they will definitely be of much help. They’re not only for earning a living, but also for simplifying life in other fields. These 10 skills can certainly make you street smart (er), help you earn and save more, while leading a capable and meaningful life.
#1. Negotiation
“Ngenda Kampala,” you humbly say. “Mutwalo gwoka,” the boda boda guy with equal humility replies. Maintaining your outrage, you respond, “Nina taano zoka.” Because Sir Boda guy knows he overstepped with the price, he gives in and says, “Onsede naye tula tugende.”
Negotiation is defined as a strategic discussion between two parties to resolve an issue with a solution that both find acceptable, just like in the above dialogue. Be it in business, politics or day-to-day life, this skill is a big asset.
Firstly, negotiation provides a framework for resolving conflict. From the big Israel-Iran war to sibling rivalry, the simple skill of negotiation can ascertain that there will be peace moving forward.
Manoeuvring through life requires a mind quick to think of alternative solutions and negotiate where necessary. There are three kinds of negotiation: the hard, which relies on competitive bargaining, the soft, which includes more compromise and the principled, which focuses on objective information and interests instead of people or positions for long-term success for everyone.
If a 4-year-old starts to throw a tantrum about not wanting to eat vegetables, one could decide to negotiate with them by promising ice cream after they finish all their veggies. There will be peace at the table, and everyone will be happy. A father demands that the bride price must be paid, while the daughter insists, she is not for sale. This argument could either grow heated, or the daughter could decide to…. Negotiate. She could tell her father that she and her (soon-to-be) husband will not pay bride price, but will lavish him and his wife (her mom) with gifts of appreciation and gratitude. Win-Win.
While refining your negotiating skills, you also improve your communication, persuasion, assertiveness, interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. This shows just how relevant negotiation is, no matter who you are or where you’re from.
Additionally, negotiation helps to build relationships since it often leads to win-win situations, ensuring both sides leave satisfied. After a heated negotiation, there will be mutual respect for one another. Oftentimes, the strongest relationships are built from the toughest negotiations. Two things to keep at the back of your mind in every negotiation: be flexible and use good judgment, which means you should be ready to walk away when necessary.
As we go about life, let us embrace the advice of J.F. Kennedy, “Never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”
#2. Networking
Establishing relationships is prime if you seek to progress as a successful individual. We are social beings after all. To network means to be intentional about the people you meet and connect with. Networking can get you great friends, a boss (employment), clients, a spouse, a news source, a story, a discount, a plug… the list is endless.
I have personally benefited greatly from networking. I’ve met people in the same industry who have given me concrete advice. I even met the Love of my life at a networking event… Nah, I’m just playing. But it could be you, since networking helps to build valuable relationships.
Grooming your networking skills will help you build confidence in yourself and what you have to offer. This confidence is pushed to the surface more when you realise that the ones who dream big and achieve big are as human as you are. Meeting such people helps to propel you forward and encourages you to keep on keeping on.
If you have a business or a brand you represent, networking helps to strengthen business connections while at the same time growing your brand. Being visible allows people (your potential clients/audience) to get to know you better. Once you put yourself out there, you won’t have to look for people; people will look for you. Keep in mind that networking isn’t only about sharing contact details and promising not to be a stranger, but it is about forming lasting connections through engaging discourse. It is about exposing yourself to various perspectives that will eventually lead to you making conclusions from an informed point of view.
Above all, it is strategic; you must have goals. Are you networking to sell a new product, are you networking to spread awareness on a specific topic, or maybe you’re networking to get informed? Whatever it is, be strategic as you network.
#3. Leadership
The skill of leadership comes naturally for some, while others have to learn how to be leaders. Leadership is not about bossing people around and demanding respect; instead, as a leader, you are required to provide direction, motivation, promote communication and collaboration and inspire those around you.
Leadership is an important life skill because the world in which we live needs direction, motivation and innovative solutions. We shall all encounter leadership at some point in our lives. For instance, teaching is a form of leadership. Once you are sought after for direction, you automatically become a leader because you must direct. Even helping someone cross the street is a form of leadership. Now, for you to grow in your leadership, take these seemingly little moments of leadership and allow them to shape you into a more confident and responsible individual. The more you are thrown into (or throw yourself into) leadership positions, the more confident you become in your skills. This skill gives you the extra padding to brave the winds life blows at you. With it, your senses will always be alert as you constantly strive for the best.
The greatest leaders in history stood out because of their vision and the lengths they took to achieve it. Martin Luther had a dream of a society undivided by colour, and he died pushing for this very vision. The bullet that ended his life did not obscure the vision, for Martin had already planted it in the hearts of many.
Alexander the Great had a vision to reach the ends of the world with his empire; he died having established one of the largest empires in history in under 15 years.
Remember, to be a great leader of others, you must first be able to lead yourself. As a leader, you will be able to see gaps and endeavour to fill them up, while at the same time gaining a deeper understanding of yourself. Understanding who you are, how you react in different situations will automatically lead to you making more informed decisions.
#4. Decision Making
Decision making is the ability one has to weigh out all their available options and decide for themselves the best way forward. This skill will enable you to navigate tough and high-risk circumstances. It will save you from carelessly spending your hard-earned money on things with no proper value, allowing you to think through every move you make before you make it. Once you have adopted this, you will be able to assess obstacles with a clear head, thus improving the outcome of your choices
A life and leadership coach, Elizabeth Perry, highlights some of the sub-skills decision-making requires:
- Analysing the available information
- Recognising other people’s viewpoints
- Considering consequences
- Exploring alternatives
- Assessing the efficacy/effects of your choice.
Harnessing your ability to make the right decisions sets you apart, since it makes you more independent, smarter and more confident. Keep in mind that every good decision made is a problem solved.
#5. Problem solving
Speaking of problem solving, it cannot be avoided; problems exist and must be solved. The beauty about it is that it encourages creativity, and a creative mind is an active one. Mind you, everyone is creative and has the potential to be creative. So, combine problem solving with creativity and you will be able to make critical observations, gather facts, ask the right questions and consider a wide range of perspectives.
With this skill, you will be able to identify a need in your society or community and provide a solution, one that will lead to the creation of jobs and opportunities for many. Take SafeBoda for example, Ugandans needed a safe, reliable and affordable means of transportation that provided accountability for each ride. This eliminated the need to bargain with Boda Boda riders. Ricky Rapa Thomson founded SafeBoda to do exactly that, meet the market need. With SafeBoda, Ricky promotes helmet usage for both rider and client, stopping at traffic lights and constantly wearing reflector jackets. Such safety precautions gave (and are still giving) Ugandans the assurance they needed. Hundreds of riders now have jobs, Ugandans feel safer, and motorcycle-related accidents have significantly reduced.
Problem solving does not make you rely on others for direction or a solution; instead, you become a self-driven individual. FYI, this is what employers (and self-employment) are/is looking for, no one has the time to babysit.
#6. Critical thinking
To think critically is to analyse something again and again, from different perspectives each time. Critical thinking requires problem-solving tactics, analysis, observations and sound conclusions. The Foundation for Critical Thinking states that it is not the mere acquisition and retention of information alone because it involves a particular way in which information is sought and treated.
Why is it important to employ critical thinking? The Critical Thinking Foundation answers this question by pointing out that those who think critically consistently attempt to live rationally, reasonably and empathically. They avoid thinking simplistically about complicated issues.
Surround yourself with people whose thinking isn’t basic, listen to podcasts, and watch shows that employ critical thinking. You could also try out games like Monopoly and chess, puzzles and brain teasers to develop both critical and strategic thinking. Here is something to tickle your thinking: What can never be put in a saucepan? Keep reading, and maybe you’ll stumble upon the answer.
#7. Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (also known as emotional quotient) is the ability to understand, manage and regulate your own emotions and the emotions of those around you. The more developed your EQ, the more in tune you are with your own feelings and the emotions of people around you.
This skill will encourage you to appreciate the variety in humanity and see beyond your vision. The more intelligent you become emotionally, the more you will be able to anticipate what someone else is feeling, thus paving the way for a smooth interaction with respect at its core. It can help you maintain calmness under pressure, manage awkward moments and relate comfortably with almost anyone.
Its key components include: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. It is important to note that the emotionally intelligent have strong feelings and much more empathy than the next person.
#8. Effective communication
There was a dialogue I read through on Instagram between a man and a woman. The man began the dialogue, stating he felt like he was putting in all the work since he was the only one who made the phone calls in their relationship. The lady replied by agreeing to what the gentleman said and promising to call as well. The gentleman was surprised by this because he came expecting an argument. The lady responded to him by thanking him for communicating clearly, and because he did so, she was able to see her mishaps and was ready to act on them. No argument!
Effective communication involves clearly sending a message and receiving acknowledgement of it being received and understood by the intended audience. This skill is guaranteed to increase the lifespan of relationships tenfold.
Effective communication starts with knowing your audience. If you’re promoting a lunch buffet during Eid al-Fitr and targeting the Muslim community, you’ll avoid any mention or imagery of pork. Instead, your ads will highlight refreshing fruits for breaking fast and homely beef Lusaniyas that speak to their tastes and values.
Secondly, be an active listener. Give your full attention during any conversation. Maintain eye contact, avoid restless movements like tapping your foot or checking your watch, and face the speaker fully. These nonverbal cues show respect and improve how well you listen.
A good listener, in effect, becomes a good communicator; they know the best ways to communicate because of active listening. An active listener will not brush off a child who hates school with words like “you need to learn to be grateful. When I was your age….” Instead, an active listener will ask, ‘Why do you hate school?’ and listen with no judgment.
At the end of the day, this makes you an effective communicator. You do not just throw around off-handed questions, but instead you communicate clearly, correctly, completely, in a concise manner and with compassion.
#9. Self-Awareness/Esteem
To be self-aware is to have the complete knowledge of oneself, both good and bad attributes. Most self-help ‘helpers’ often ask their audiences to describe themselves in three words or write down 3 negatives and 3 positives about themselves. These activities encourage your mind to analyse you, something many often take for granted. But a better understanding of oneself allows you to appreciate both the good and bad, then seek to improve where needed or tone it down where need be.
Organisational therapist Tasha Erich describes the concept of self-awareness as the foundation for high performance, smart choices and lasting relationships. She goes on to say that 80% of people are lying about themselves to themselves. This gives birth to the negative ways of being self-aware, one of the common ones being the cult of self, as Eurich calls it. Cult of self is the overglorified self/life you show the world, which eventually leads to a disconnect from who you really are. We see this often on social media, people so wrapped up in the lies they purport to their viewers that they end up ‘murdering’ their real selves to make room for the fake person they aspire to be.
But to be self-aware is more than just knowing oneself. Blogger Chad Gordon highlights the two states of self-awareness, external and Internal. Internal self-awareness is knowing your values and personality, strengths and weaknesses. While external self-awareness is knowing and understanding how others see you. This also includes appreciating feedback.
As you explore self-awareness and self-esteem, do not fall prey to self-sabotage. This bacteria festers fast and leaves carnage in its wake. Believe in yourself, speak positive affirmations to yourself and never doubt yourself. If you do not see the value in you first, it becomes impossible for others to see it.
Take this test to see how self-aware you are.
#10. Teamwork and collaboration
As the saying goes, ‘unity is strength, collaboration is power.’ In other words, there is strength in numbers and togetherness. Teamwork eliminates competition by paving way for collaboration. Collaboration, in turn, allows for the comfortable exchange of brilliant ideas. Teamwork will make you feel like you belong and are valued, consequently increasing output.
Why is it important for you to be a team worker and encourage collaboration? Well, as they say, two heads are better than one. Teamwork brings in new perspectives that otherwise would not have been discovered if the task were done independently. Teamwork also reduces the time spent accomplishing tasks. If ten buildings were to be constructed by one man per building in one year, it would be impossible. If these ten men decided to all converge and work together on each project, then the ten buildings would surely be completed within the stipulated time frame.
Teamwork makes the dream work. On a global scale, the dream of achieving the SDGs can only be accomplished through all coming together to collaboratively work. To achieve zero hunger, the world must work together to feed the hungry. To attain gender equality, both genders must work in tandem for progress. Climate action requires each individual in the world to recognise the need and take steps to preserve the environment.
Each of these ten skills is part and parcel of our daily lives. Harness them, prioritise them and let them help define who you are. P.S. The answer is lid. And don’t forget to join our WhatsApp channel for more!
Written by Precious G. Aloyo
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