Former Community – We Moved
🆕 Coached community here, for posts & feedback public community here.
Tech skills give you job security. People skills give you board seats
I first realized that soft skills move you upward when I talked to a senior VP.
I was in my graduate talent programme, interviewing to get into the big restructuring project that had just started.
McKinsey was launching the program for us and it was a colossal opportunity to network with the upper management and learn from the most driven consultants.
That day Michael, an IT SVP, was interviewing in the teleconference room.
He asked me why I wanted to join the program.
Those days I had spoken to an internal consultant who explained Lean methodology to me.
So in my mind, it was about learning the method.
So I replied I wanted to join to "learn the lean methodology".
His answer changed how I looked at career growth.
He largely ignored my initial, useless answer -great frame control that also saved my face-.
Instead of contradicting me, he picked up from what I said last, and went on:
 Are you here to learn the lean methodology, or to learn about people skills?
The methodology is an added benefit, and what's an even bigger opportunity for you is to learn the soft skills.
Things like leadership, persuasion, stakeholder management, presentations... ".
I couldn't help but feel schooled.
'Why didn't I think of that before' moment.
That guy talking (soft skills) presents the results of what others will be doing for him (tech skills)
I went in there focusing on technical skills.
And Michael Schlitt, I still remember his name, showed me that the methodology -the technical skils- meant little to those who had power.
And he also explained without making me feel like an idiot for my answer.
He frame controlled and explained like a high-power "alpha", but delivering it with a high-warmth, brimming smile.
Michael didn't mention 'confidence, frame control, or looking and speaking with power and authority'.
Those are not usually listed behind the big catch-all 'leadership skills'. But that's what he showed me.
All I could answer that day was: "yeah, I see, actually, that's why I want to join".
