In the June series, Spice Up Your Skillset, we’ve discussed LinkedIn’s “Skills on the Rise” report and how you can bring those skills to life on your LinkedIn profile as well as interview conversations. So far, all the usual suspects are there: Collaboration, willingness to learn, and conflict mitigation.
But LinkedIn missed one critical competency that pulls it all together: Character. And that’s why we have to talk about Patti Lupone.
If your taste is more Beyonce than show tunes, you may not know superstar Patti Lupone and her love/hate relationship with Broadway, fellow actors, and unruly theatergoers. (For instance, don’t take out your phone mid-performance, or you’ll get Luponed.)
People were used to Lupone’s snappy takedowns, but downplaying Audra McDonald’s current success in “Gypsy” seemed like jealousy. She off-handedly used the word “bitch,” which was meant to be a joke, but it turned out the joke was on her.
Lupone ultimately apologized yet the damage is done. Time will tell if her apology reinstates her as a revered elder statesman in the tiny, tight-knit theater community. For the moment, her choices have backfired, turning Patti into what her enemies have tried to do for years: Irrelevant.
The cautionary tale for your workplace is that OG qualities like solid judgment and emotional maturity still matter. At first glance, it seems that skilling is about learning how to do stuff. However, the case study shows that accomplishments don’t mean much without being backed up by character.
It turns out there’s power in coming from the heart, being restrained, and lifting others up when you could punch down. What’s more, Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and colleagues are actively looking for people with those marketable capabilities. It’s ok to be ambitious and driven—just don’t cross the line and try to be fabulous by doing things at other people’s expense.
So, make character part of your portfolio. Here are five ways you can make integrity real:
There’s no easy way to say it: The job market is a hella thing right now. That’s why you want every advantage you can get, such as rounding out hard skills like designing, coding, or accounting with easy-to-describe people skills. Spice up your online profile and interview conversations with these compelling competencies:
* Skill #1—Collaboration: In the past, taking matters into your own hands was tolerated. But with the pace and pressure of an ever-changing workplace, engaging the right stakeholders is more critical than ever. So, highlight situations where you’ve reached across the aisle to create success. (And extra points for out-of-the-box examples of, “Wow—you partnered with who?!”.)
* Skill #2—Willingness to Learn: Swap the limitation of classroom-only learning for the blue-sky vision of applied learning, where you learn anytime, anywhere, and in any medium. Articulate how you’re teachable, willing to try nine ways before way #10 works, and partner when knowledge gaps occur. Those relatable characteristics show how you’re constantly evolving and growing.
* Skill #3—Conflict Mitigation: Bickering and right-fighting sometimes feel justifiable, but they’re a fast pass to damaging relationships. So, take some deep breaths before you start forcing and pushing. Swap short-term demands with long-game choices that reflect positively on your reputation. Step back and cool down that conflict.
* Skill #4—Character: If no one told you lately, being The Brilliant Jerk is optional, not mandatory, to get ahead. So, backstop your outstanding What with an equally exceptional, trustworthy character.
Personal development work can seem like a “nice to have, “but these quiet assets are the qualities that make you stand in a crowd. So, don’t leave your high standards on the shelf—they’re the gateway to payoffs like increased status, better-paying roles, and chances to be a thought leader. Take charge of your skillset like the creative, wise CEO of your life—a Soul Boss.