I spent the first decade of my career trying to get good at business.
I read thousands of articles.
I watched video after video and listened to podcast after podcast.
I attended every conference I could afford.
I filled my shelves with books by bestselling authors.
I wanted to be good at business so badly.
I wanted to matter. I wanted to contribute. I wanted to make a dent in the world.
I devoured every hard skill in business I could find assuming the accumulation of business acumen was the key to success.
And despite a voracious appetite for the skill of business, I struggled to get ahead.
I languished in obscurity.
Frustrated and disappointed, I gave up.
I stopped reading articles and books.
I stopped watching videos and listening to podcasts.
I stopped seeking out new business skills.
So much of business has nothing to do with business.
In the long-game, “Soft” skills win:
Connection.
Fortitude.
Gratitude.
Empathy.
Courage.
Compassion.
Caring.
Commitment.
Adaptation.
Acceptance.
Bravery.
Belief.
These are skills that grow a business.
When you focus on “Soft” skills, you’re forced to develop the necessary “Hard” skills (or tactics) to deliver your product or service.
The opposite is not true.
Yours in strength,
Hanley
P.S. If you enjoyed this article, you’ll love the podcast.
