7 answers
Jacob
Student
Brunswick, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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What are the best professional habits to learn at a young age that'll stick with me throughout my career?
I'm just curious about what habits I should learn early on before it's too late to pick them up.
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7 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I tend to emphasize the John Wooden principles, that he outlined in his Pyramid of Success. These includes developing skills that include:
Industriousness: Nothing will work in life, unless you are willing to work hard. A great love and passion for learning helps you to learn and progress in life.
Enthusiasm: This tends to be very infectious, especially for the people around you. You are always the first in the office every day and the last to leave in the evening.
Friendship: You have esteem, respect and devotion to others around you. Do something for someone who will never be able to repay you or thank you.
Cooperation: work well together with others. Listen to those around you, in order to find the best way, and not your own way.
Wooden also lived by personal principles like being true to yourself, making each day your masterpiece, and helping others.
Very important professional habits included punctuality, avoiding profanity, never criticizing teammates or co-workers, and maintaining a strong work ethic, and focusing on daily improvement rather than just winning.
Industriousness: Nothing will work in life, unless you are willing to work hard. A great love and passion for learning helps you to learn and progress in life.
Enthusiasm: This tends to be very infectious, especially for the people around you. You are always the first in the office every day and the last to leave in the evening.
Friendship: You have esteem, respect and devotion to others around you. Do something for someone who will never be able to repay you or thank you.
Cooperation: work well together with others. Listen to those around you, in order to find the best way, and not your own way.
Wooden also lived by personal principles like being true to yourself, making each day your masterpiece, and helping others.
Very important professional habits included punctuality, avoiding profanity, never criticizing teammates or co-workers, and maintaining a strong work ethic, and focusing on daily improvement rather than just winning.
Sinead Rose
Equality development
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sinead’s Answer
Learn how to talk effectively with your manager and adjust your communication style to fit the person you're speaking with. Feel confident asking questions whenever you need to. Discover the best ways for you to work and stay organized. Embrace chances to try new things and find what you truly love doing. Regularly seek feedback and learn how to use it to improve.
LaTausha Myers
Medical Laboratory scientist
55
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
LaTausha’s Answer
Great question!
Time management and puncutality: being on time and completing task efficiently is a good quality. It let's your team know you're reliable. It also allows you to have work-life balance. Practice making schedules, using a calendar/planner, setting alarms, to-do lists etc...see what works for you
Problem solving and critical thinking helps you be an independent contributor in a team environment. It also gives you confidence to work independently. When problems arise,you may have to think outside the box. There may not be an explicit policy for guidance. Those skills are helpful to demonstrate you understand your job and can make suggestions and come up with solutions. I don't know how to develop this skill. To practice this skill do things that challenge you solo or in a team setting like sports, robotics, clubs, puzzles and brainteasers teasers, reading the news.
These are referred to as "horizontal skills". They are not job specific. They are life skills that you can apply to develop personally and professionally.
All the best!
Time management and puncutality: being on time and completing task efficiently is a good quality. It let's your team know you're reliable. It also allows you to have work-life balance. Practice making schedules, using a calendar/planner, setting alarms, to-do lists etc...see what works for you
Problem solving and critical thinking helps you be an independent contributor in a team environment. It also gives you confidence to work independently. When problems arise,you may have to think outside the box. There may not be an explicit policy for guidance. Those skills are helpful to demonstrate you understand your job and can make suggestions and come up with solutions. I don't know how to develop this skill. To practice this skill do things that challenge you solo or in a team setting like sports, robotics, clubs, puzzles and brainteasers teasers, reading the news.
These are referred to as "horizontal skills". They are not job specific. They are life skills that you can apply to develop personally and professionally.
All the best!
Lisa Towles
Senior Manager of Operations at HCL Technologies
11
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Lisa’s Answer
1. Prioritize COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS as your most important tool (listening, public speaking, asking for what you want, saying no gracefully, offering support to others).
2. Cultivate appreciation for YOURSELF and constantly recognize and acknowledge your successes.
3. Teach yourself to not care that much what other people think and be attuned to your own instinct and wisdom.
2. Cultivate appreciation for YOURSELF and constantly recognize and acknowledge your successes.
3. Teach yourself to not care that much what other people think and be attuned to your own instinct and wisdom.
Greg Fazekas
Technical Writer
15
Answers
Pécs, Hungary
Updated
Greg’s Answer
What a fantastic question! I'd say: finish things. Even if they're bad. Even if you lose interest. Knowing how to finish is a skill that you'll always lean on. Not stop, not abandon: finish. Because starting things is easy, and when things become hard, it's your ability to finish will be your differentiator. You'll learn how to push through adversity, how to find creative solutions nobody thought of, and how to negotiate a graceful exit if all else fails.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Building good habits early in your career can really help set you up for success. Here are some important habits to start developing while you're young:
First, time management is a habit that can make a huge difference. Being able to organize your tasks and meet deadlines is essential. You can use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of important dates, meetings, and deadlines. If you can learn how to manage your time well early on, you'll become more productive and less stressed as you move forward in your career.
Another habit to develop is strong communication skills. Being able to express your ideas clearly, listen to others, and collaborate effectively is vital in any job. Whether you're writing emails, speaking in meetings, or working in teams, good communication will help you build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
Next, adaptability is a habit that will help you no matter where your career takes you. The world of work is always changing, so being able to adapt to new situations, technologies, or challenges is key. Instead of resisting change, try to see it as an opportunity to learn something new.
Lastly, taking initiative is a habit that can set you apart from others. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do, you should look for ways to help out, suggest ideas, and take on new responsibilities. When you take the initiative, it shows you're committed to your work and eager to learn.
First, time management is a habit that can make a huge difference. Being able to organize your tasks and meet deadlines is essential. You can use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of important dates, meetings, and deadlines. If you can learn how to manage your time well early on, you'll become more productive and less stressed as you move forward in your career.
Another habit to develop is strong communication skills. Being able to express your ideas clearly, listen to others, and collaborate effectively is vital in any job. Whether you're writing emails, speaking in meetings, or working in teams, good communication will help you build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
Next, adaptability is a habit that will help you no matter where your career takes you. The world of work is always changing, so being able to adapt to new situations, technologies, or challenges is key. Instead of resisting change, try to see it as an opportunity to learn something new.
Lastly, taking initiative is a habit that can set you apart from others. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do, you should look for ways to help out, suggest ideas, and take on new responsibilities. When you take the initiative, it shows you're committed to your work and eager to learn.
Nathan Weddle
Lead Software Engineer
7
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Nathan’s Answer
There are many good habits that are useful in your career, but I recommend two:
1. Curiosity
2. Proactiveness
Being curious is the key to learning, and you need to be a lifelong learner. Your career could be based on technology that has yet to be invented. How do you prepare for that? Get good at learning.
Proactive behavior shows you are engaged with your job. Proactive employees require less oversight and generally easier to manage. Proactive behavior also shows leadership because you are doing what needs to be done without constantly being asked or directed.
1. Curiosity
2. Proactiveness
Being curious is the key to learning, and you need to be a lifelong learner. Your career could be based on technology that has yet to be invented. How do you prepare for that? Get good at learning.
Proactive behavior shows you are engaged with your job. Proactive employees require less oversight and generally easier to manage. Proactive behavior also shows leadership because you are doing what needs to be done without constantly being asked or directed.