If you keep asking yourself why you were not as successful as the others were, why you failed to get that promotion, why you did not land that dream job, better ask yourself if you have the right skills needed for you to achieve your endeavors. In the corporate world, most employers choose to hire candidates who either have the potential to develop their skills or those who already are skilled enough to perform the job.

Core skills are the most indispensable skills. People who possess them are more likely to achieve their goals and ambitions than those who do not. There are three basic categories of core skills an individual can have: basic skills, thinking skills, and personal qualities. Let us understand each type of fundamental skill and learn the techniques to develop them as we progress in the next few articles.

First Core Skill: Basic Skills

Basic skills are the essential abilities which we all acquire even during the early stages of our lives. But when these are honed, they become our weapons in facing any life situation. Everyone, with the inclusion of physically handicapped individuals, has the ability to speak, but not all of us can readily talk or converse. A good communicator is one who can easily express thoughts and opinions with fluency. But being able to talk and interact is not all that is needed. Since communication is a two-way process, one must also know how to be a good and active listener. Listening is a skill, particularly active listening. A person who has good listening skill does not just plainly listen, but is also able to respond appropriately.

There are people who are good at expressing their thoughts through writing. It takes skill to be an efficient writer. Just as you verbalize thoughts with sense and substance, the same goes for writing. Reading is not merely a typical human activity; it is also a skill. Uttering the words alone is not enough. One has to have the skill to comprehend what is being read. Some people do well with words and metaphors, others with numbers and figures. Mental calculation is something not everyone is capable of. You have to learn how to understand and apply number operations based from mathematical theories and formulas.

All aforementioned skills comprise the basic skills.

Second Core Skill: Thinking Skills

The second core skill is thinking skills. Intelligent individuals can easily get their way out of challenging and unique situations. People with good decision-making and problem-solving abilities make good leaders. Those with good logic and reasoning can easily win over debates, arguments, and conflicts. In the workplace, employees are encouraged to be critical thinkers especially when challenging situations arise. Furthermore, breakthroughs in technology and modern inventions are products of the creative thinking of skilled individuals.

Third Core Skill: Personal Qualities

As we mature, we should also enhance our potentials and make good use out of it. Confidence is an attribute not every person can boast of. Thus it is always necessary to take steps to build confidence in yourself. What are some personal qualities that can transform us into someone we have always hoped to become? A skilled individual is not just adept at talents and abilities but also possesses fundamental inner skills such self-esteem, integrity, responsibility, sociability, and credibility to be more effective and productive. It takes certain skills to be able to socialize and be at ease conversing with people from all walks of life, with all types of personalities. It takes skills to uphold truths and keep the value of honesty. And all the more that it takes skills to be responsible in everything you do. All these comprise the third core skill which is personal qualities, and the result of possessing such skills is personal effectiveness.

Certainly, one can easily see how valuable these core skills are. There are many skills used by people today, with many of these constantly evolving to meet the demands of the changing times. Some skills now were not even known in the past; conversely, some skills today will no longer be needed in the future. However, core skills remain unchanging- they will always be needed regardless of what kind of job, task, or endeavor we have. Obviously, learning and acquiring these core skills is a must for people who wish to succeed in their lives.