Celebrity stylist Erin Walsh has a non-negotiable for clients: Get rid of clothes from your old life.
Sometimes your old life is keeping the suit you wore when you aced a job interview. Other times, it’s hanging on to potential, where the shoes you spent too much money on hide out on the highest shelf. But the twist is that the best wardrobe isn’t built on stuff—it hinges on confidence. So, whether a client is longing for the future or hung up in nostalgia, she pushes them to refresh.
Erin’s advice is timely for spring cleaning, but it also applies to your career. Think of people competencies like your closet. These skills work best when you have a full wardrobe at your fingertips. So, if you’ve grown attached to one skill, like a favorite piece in your wardrobe, it may be time to rethink.
Leaning on a superpower was the problem for my colleague Sloane. She checks all the boxes—she’s smart, well-liked, and has incredible engineering chops. That’s why I was surprised when her manager put the brakes on a promotion.
“What’s the problem? You’re never short on accomplishments,” I argued.
“That’s true, but individual contributions are only part of the equation.” Sloane rolled her eyes. “At the next level, presenting to customers is mandatory.”
My stomach dropped. Sloane is a friendly, articulate person, but speaking in public has always been at the bottom of her list. “Is there any wiggle room?” I wondered.
“Unfortunately, no. If I don’t get some coaching and master presenting, I may be bumping up against a glass ceiling—one that I constructed.”
Ultimately, when Sloane thought about a future where her opportunities and bank account were limited, the choice was clear. She overcame her fears and is now a C-suite executive.
Like the case study, do you have one go-to people superpower? It may work beautifully, but like your college varsity jacket, it has a shelf life. So, start developing as many skills as possible because the truth is that more skills = more professional options.
If you’re not sure where to start, rebalance your skills portfolio by finishing these sentences:
* I’m known for the soft skill of <communication, problem solving, collaboration, negotiating, emotional intelligence, productivity, or leadership>.
* I try to work around the competency of _____ when people ask me.
* I’d love to feel more confident with ____.
* AI Prompt: Identify the three most in-demand soft skills and provide suggestions to help me grow.
In the April series, Spring Clean Your People Skills, we’ve discussed clearing roadblocks that will get in the way of your professional success. Everyone hits a wall where what once worked so well stops working. That’s why keeping an eye on your skills is so critical. If you stay in a “constant improvement” era, you’ll be able to meet choice points that were once difficult with ease.
Here’s a recap of common roadblocks, how to sidestep them, and an AI prompt for you to personalize:
* Roadblock #1—Destructive Feedback: Are you still replaying someone’s flip negative comment from years ago? Let criticism that isn’t constructive go and start cultivating a healthy self-image.
* Roadblock #2—The False “Culture of Genius”: What you know is only the starting point, not the destination. So, replace the performative habit of schooling others with creating connections and allies.
* Roadblock #3—Unrealistic Expectations: Wave goodbye to the idea that extreme makeovers are the only outcomes worth having—that kind of mindset adds unnecessary pressure and stress. Clock incremental wins on the daily.
* Roadblock #4—A Single Superpower: Develop a suite of skills rather than over-indexing on a single competency.
Facing potential limitations head-on can feel like a lot. However, your efforts will pay off because you’ll wind up with a portfolio of marketable, transferable competencies. So, take charge like the creative, wise CEO of your life—a Soul Boss— and spring clean your people skills.