Life skills for success: How to grow your career?

Choosing a field of study is a major decision, typically made upon entering tertiary education. The next three to four years are spent acquiring knowledge in that domain. Eventually, we are awarded a degree, a significant milestone worth celebrating.

When it comes to finding a job, the qualifications we worked hard for can only get us as far as the interview. From that point onwards, our performance and future success depend on our skills. Therefore, developing our skills is crucial for a successful career.

Understanding the value expectations of the marketplace early will help us in developing our skill set. The value expectations are implementation, unification, communication, and imagination. Developing the skills associated with these values is essential for long-term career success.

Implementation
Implementation is the foundational level of value required by employers. Individuals offering this value focus on completing tasks in exchange for wages or a salary. The work typically involves physical labour or manual skills. Income is limited by the individual's capacity and availability for work. Examples of implementers include marketing assistants, customer service representatives, and administrative staff.

To be a successful implementer, one needs technical proficiency, physical handiness, and attention to detail. Implementers must be skilled at executing tasks efficiently, following instructions, and maintaining consistency (Becker, 1993; Percy & Dodd, 2021 ).

Unification
Unification represents the second level of value in the marketplace. Those who provide this value use their skills to manage and supervise implementers in achieving objectives. Earnings at this level are determined by leadership and organisational abilities. Examples of unifiers include sales managers, social media managers, and digital marketers.

To thrive at this level, individuals need leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills. They must possess strong interpersonal abilities to coordinate teams, delegate responsibilities effectively, and ensure that goals are met. The ability to mediate conflicts is also essential (Davey, 2021; Yukl, 2013).

Communication
Communication represents a higher level of value that focuses on conveying ideas, knowledge, and messages. The emphasis is on influencing others through inspiration and education. Individuals proficient in communication earn them higher incomes. Examples of communicators include general managers, chief operating officers, and marketing directors.

Excellence in communication requires public speaking, persuasion, and storytelling skills. Communicators must engage with people, convey ideas clearly, and influence others through well-articulated narratives and presentations. Active listening and the ability to tailor messages to different audiences are crucial (Clampitt, 2016; Rossier et al., 2021).

Imagination
Imagination is the highest level of value required by businesses and communities. Individuals at this level generate innovative solutions that address problems or fulfil unmet needs. This value is offered through creativity, and earnings are limited only by one's potential and ability. Examples of imaginers include inventors, entrepreneurs, and artists.

To excel at this level, individuals need creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking. They must be able to generate new ideas, solve complex problems, and envision possibilities that others may not see. Resilience and a willingness to experiment and take risks are also vital (Amabile, 1996; Lee, 2019; Sultana, 2021).

References

1. Amabile, T. M. (1996). Creativity in context: Update to the social psychology of creativity. Westview Press.
2. Becker, G. S. (1993). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
3. Clampitt, P. G. (2016). Communicating for managerial effectiveness (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
4. Davey, K. M. (2021). Organisational career development theory: Weaving individuals, organisations, and social structures. In P. J. Robertson, T. Hooley, & P. McCash (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Career Development. Oxford University Press.
5. Lee, K. E. (2019). The role of imagination in communication and common world building: A Husserlian account [Doctoral dissertation, KU Leuven].
6. Percy, C., & Dodd, V. (2021). The economic outcomes of career development programmes. In P. J. Robertson, T. Hooley, & P. McCash (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Career Development. Oxford University Press.
7. Rossier, J., et al. (2021). The narrative turn in career development theories: An integrative perspective. In P. J. Robertson, T. Hooley, & P. McCash (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Career Development. Oxford University Press.
8. Sultana, R. G. (2021). Authentic education for meaningful work: Beyond career management skills. In P. J. Robertson, T. Hooley, & P. McCash (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Career Development. Oxford University Press.
9. Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.