Week of August 30-most useful skill...

[andream]

We've talked about tools, we've talked about toys, we've talked about a lot of things that have to do with your jobs.  Today, let's talk about you personally.  What's your most impressive skill? Sound off blow your own horn.  What do you do better than anyone else in the office and where does that fit into your job?  

do tell...
Andrea

[juspeachy]

I think my most useful skill is mediation.  My boss is not the easiest person to get along with.  His ego really needs stroking sometimes.  As a result, I can clue in visitors as to his mood and the best way to handle him.  

Another useful skill I seem to have developed is anticipation.  I love to see the look on his face when I hand him something that he's fixing to ask for.    Recently, we moved into a new area in the building.  One of the first things I did was to change the information board in the lobby to reflect our new room number.  A day later, he finally thought about it and was half way through asking me to do it when he looked at me and said, "You've already done it, haven't you?"    It's great!

JusPeachy

[countrigal]

My most useful skill is my computer skills.  Working with a bunch of nurses and such, who know little about a computer, it is great to know how to use all the different softwares we have and be proficient at them too.  I also like the fact that I can generally teach myself any program if given a bit of time with it.  That's beneficial too, since they don't like to pay for classes.

Anyway, everyone around here comes calling me with questions on how to do things in Excel or Word, and I'm the local guru when it comes to Access databases.  Kind of feels nice to be needed, though there are days that I just want to ask them "why can't you learn this?", especially if it's the same question for the 4th time in just a matter of days from the same person.  Sheesh, write it down folks!

Ok, enough from me....

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[spitfire78]

Common sense!!!!  Sounds silly, doesn't it?  However, I work with people who have very little of it.  Because of that lack, they have a tendency to make a mountain out of a molehill.  It always floors them when I say, "wait a minute - why don't we just do such-and-such."  It stops them in their tracks as they realize what a simple (yet effective) solution it is!

[catsmeat]

Definitely skills with Outlook and all it can do. The idea of being able to operate my boss' calendar on the PC completely flummoxes some of my colleagues!  In fact, computers tend to flummox most of them .... it surprised me to find out that the MD's PA had no idea how to do a mail merge using Word, or even the most basic tenets of Excel.  Her job is very much straight typing, so I guess she's never needed to use them.  Even so, it came as a bit of a shock - and means that I can look really good by doing something relatively simple ;-)

[dedlered]

I would have to say my computer skills and my communication skills

[semaxwell1]

I too would have to say it is my computer/software skills that I'm proud of. I'm a quick learner when it comes to working with computers. I'm also a quick and efficient typist, so if a lot of data needs to be entered, I can do that in a timely matter, too.

semaxwell1

[raindance]

My most impressive, and useful, skills are my organizational and problem solving abilities.  

Technical skills are very important, and I take every opportunity to learn computer packages that I need, but what makes me really stand out at work is how I do my job.  My post is fast-paced and multi-faceted and I have to juggle lots of balls all the time so organization is a key skill for me.

Raindance

[sobriquetnic]

Hi all

I think my organisational skills are my greatest asset but with my current company the fact that I have worked in a few other areas helps too.  I have worked in the IT department and whilst there also did a lot of work for the Accounts Department.  In fact, the only thing I probably haven't done is sell holidays! lol!

All the best,
Nicola.

[sami]

My memory and attention to detail. It amazes me how many times I'm asked to "remember back" and I usually can come up with the answer. I also know where most things are or can be found within our organization. I think one of the best remarks on my evaluation was "I challenge management with my attention to detail!"

[mbajjada]

I am told I have the gift of the gab, the ability to converse with anyone and almost under water. Also tend to have good organisational skills, things must look neat and tidy, this drove my previous boss crazy as he liked to have lots of paper on his desk and I preferred to stand over him and sort through it so it remained tidy... he loved it when I went on holidays!

[supergirl]

People skills and attention to detail.  

SG

[chevygirl55]

ESP!!!!  Got to be able to read their minds!

[gee4]

Andrea,

Apart from my IT skills (I am now a MOS Master), I am able to multi-task and juggle to get things done eg. organisation skills.  I work best when working to deadlines as well as being able to act quickly and accurately.  I know lots of people who make a day's work last a week by shuffling paper round their desk - but that's not me as you never know when the next big job is coming!

The other point is I actually enjoy organising and co-ordinating as I am able to help others out and at the same time provide a reliable service so they know a job will be done accurately and on time.

(eg. I am just back from a week's leave where yet again, I co-ordinated a great weekend away which included flights, hotel, itinerary etc etc.)

G