In the utterly brilliant, yet criminally underrated, film, “Tapeheads,” John Cusack’s character, during a desperate pitch for his videography services to a prospective producer, waxes poetic about the “pyramid of success – skills, knowledge & attitude.” I always loved that line and thought it to be a fairly accurate recipe for success in life.
Since migrating from the hyper-intensity of a refined urbanity to a more relaxed and pastoral environment, I’ve begun to notice the subtle ways in which the pragmatism of skills has shifted somewhat slightly. Certainly those skills, such as interpersonal for example, that are universal and transcend environment remain critical, but there are others I have found to be a bit more situational. And this has given me pause to reflect upon and evaluate my own arsenal of skills (such as they are) amassed over a lifetime.
Shortly after arriving here in Neverwhere, I, by pure happenstance, met and befriended a couple who are early retirees. Also, like me, they previously held professional positions with a global Megacorp in Seattle and wanted a more quiet, peaceful existence a little more far afield. However, unlike me they are both PhD’s in mechanical and software engineering respectively and, in all honesty, are among the two smartest people I’ve ever met. What with my lowly Master’s degree, I am, academically speaking, far less knowledgeable in comparison.
However, what really got my mind focused on this whole skills thing was when they shared that they were building their own house. “Oh cool,” I unwittingly said, “I just finished building my place as well. What contractor are you using?” They then informed me that they were, in fact, building the house themselves. With their own (and only their own) minds and bodies. What. The. Fuck?
Naturally, I assumed they had some type of prior construction experience, but, as it turns out, they do not. They’re just using their staggering whip-smartness to learn and do while applying much of their transferable engineering skill to the task at hand. I guess when you personally build a laser and then cut microscopic-sized machine cogs in your garage as a fun weekend project (true fact), dicking about with some concrete, lumber and whatnot really isn’t that big a whoop.
This really put my mind in motion because, as I well know, even with a rifle at my head, I couldn’t even get the dirt work done on the project before it was lights out. Nevertheless, I still felt like Napoleon Dynamite. So, this got me intrigued in looking in to skill acquisition theory which I found to be pretty fascinating.
WHAT IS A SKILL?
Interestingly, in perusing the academic literature, it seems that the very definition of a skill is somewhat vague. Nevertheless, an erudite synthesis would suggest that “Skill refers to the ability to do rather than underlying competence or mental representation” (Vanpatten & Benati, 2010) and possesses particular defining attributes such as:
- Skill is learned
- Skill involves motivation, purpose and goals
- Skills require content and context knowledge
- Skill involves relative judgments with individual differences in skilled performance evident
- Standards of excellence are important
- Skill involves comparable replication
- Considerable periods of time are required to reach high levels of skill (Cornford, 1996).
Moreover, skill acquisition is further delineated by distinct stages that include:
- Priming: Refers to a “cognitive repetition phenomenon in which prior exposure to specific language forms or meaning that facilitates the speaker’s subsequent language processing.” McDonough (2013).
- Automaticity: “Learning processes which are involved in the acquisition of skills entails a transition from attentive to automatic mode, with the final stage being fully spontaneous, effortless, fast, and errorless use of that rule, often without being aware of it anymore.” (DeKeyser, 2007 & 2002).
- Practice: While there’s also much debate here, I was most fond of this definition – “Practice is the subclass of learning that deals only with improving performance on a task that can already be successfully performed.” (Newell & Rosenbloom, 1981).
SKILLS TO PAY THE BILLS
So once I established a foundational understanding of what a skill actually is and how it’s acquired, I embarked upon a mental inventory of what legitimate skills I actually possess. Since there are clearly a number of them for each of us ranging along a rather vast spectrum, I attempted to narrow it down to only those skills in which I believe I have a actual mastery in.
It seemed as if there was a small handful, until I refined my thinking and realized that knowledge is entirely distinct from a skill. For example, I am an expert on and have an encyclopedic understanding of post-punk and related forms of alternative music made between the years of 1977 to 1989, but that’s not a skill, it’s knowledge. Admittedly, ridiculous and completely useless, but knowledge nonetheless.
With beads of sweat now glistening on my forehead, the original handful was rapidly shrinking. To be honest, the only thing I could legitimately come up with is my career and business expertise. And while that could easily be sub-categorized into many additional, inter-related skills, the reality is that, at a consolidated level, it amounts to one (or maybe five if we’re being charitable).
Moreover, these skills are considered abstruse to the point of being arcane and, thus, extremely scarce. For example, the skill and ability to, say, create an organizational infrastructure to successfully recruit and hire thousands of professional-level employees for a global enterprise every year, is not one many folks have; nor is it particularly pragmatic in everyday life. However, if you’re a global enterprise in a service industry, that skill is extremely coveted and profoundly desirable. And that is a prime example of how I was able to earn a living while really only possessing a mastery of my one skill of “HR-ing.”
When I finished my exercise, I was a little beleaguered by it to be honest. Nearly half a century and mastery of only one skill, albeit a multifaceted one? Then I got to thinking that it’s likely the case for many of us and I should be grateful. Even more so when I acknowledged that I, and all of us, have hundreds, if not thousands, of skills that we have a functional command of. There also was a little solace in knowing that, unlike Napoleon Dynamite, I actually do have bow-hunting skills.
However, the thought that made me re-frame the entirety of my thinking process on all this was realizing that I also have the skill to learn new skills. I am fairly adept at understanding and applying new information reasonably quickly and have a passion for learning. This, I figured is the greatest skill of all we humans. So, while it’s true I don’t really have any “mad skillz” per se, I know that I can acquire them when needed or desired as I have done and will continue to do throughout my life. And that’s pretty cool, even if I can’t build my own house.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
You have any “Mad Skillz?” I know you do and I’d love to hear about your best, strangest, or most treasured skill! Bring it on!
I’d count writing in your skillset, whether you like it or not! Interesting exercise though–it isn’t often we stop to take inventory of our own abilities. Like you, I think mine would mostly be job-related and require some generosity, though I don’t think that’s a unique circumstance. Hunter gatherers, we are not.
Hey IF and thanks for the comment! I appreciate the kind words about the writing. I’d concede I may have a facility with language, but I definitely don’t have master-level chops. Having fun trying to get them there though! Yes, I noticed a disquieting trend of me publishing a lot of navel-gazing oriented articles lately. Your writing skills also qualify as mad, so you got more than just work. Loved your last line there. No, we are not hunter gatherers. Not by a long shot!
When reading this, the first two skills that popped into my mind for you were playing bass and writing. Then I saw your comment to Freddy. I found it interesting you class your professional career above these. Was it the amount of time you spent working, or do you feel your “HR skills” are that superior to music or writing?
Professionally. There’s nothing I do that’s really amazing or even skillful. Period. I’ve always known this. It’s my ability to analyze and be pretty good at both math and English at the same time (not great at either) that has enabled me to progress in the corporate realm. Well, being able to read a room too has been a big one.
However, although I wouldn’t categorize my creative skills as even advanced, I personally value my music playing and writing as the most valuable skills I have, or find the most enjoyable.
I loved the intro – it’s always been a dream of mine to build a house with my own two hands. I have no idea why. But I’m no engineer nor as smart as those people to figure it out on my own…. haha.
Good post Mr. Fate!
Thanks Q-Fi and I hope the moving process is coming to a close and you can relax a bit.
Yeah, while I personally value the music and writing skills more, I’m certainly not a master. I definitely was with the career which is why they didn’t make the cut. However, I’m having a blast getting those closer to mastery-level!
Yeah, my friends are insane. I still can’t believe it. And the quality of craftsmanship on their place is astounding. That said, I did put up a bird feeder today, so I’m making progress! 😆
I have nursing skills, albeit limited ones, due to my specialization. Granted, they’re highly coveted skills, ensuring I can get a job anywhere, but they limit me from exploring other areas of nursing without taking on the enormous task of learning and developing an entirely different set of skills.
That said, I’ve been learning smaller skills as the need arises, like replacing my garbage disposal or fixing my toilet. I’m always working to improve my cooking skills too. Like you, though, I’m more knowledge based versus skills based. But I like a d enjoy knowledge. For your friends, I think it’s both a personality and brain function to figure out and devise systems. Different sets of applications for different folks!
Interesting topic!
Hi Katie and thanks for the comment. You definitely have “mad skilz” with the nursing. Probably a lot packed into that one including consistent application of empathy and compassion which are commendable.
Yep, the more I think about this topic and read the comments, I think the “sweet spot” on skills are those in the functional realm that we enjoy or look to improve, be those bow-hunting, cooking or fixing the garbage dispos.
Not surprisingly, I took a look at my friend’s house this week and the craftsmanship is jaw-dropping. They gave me some good natured ribbing about paying to have my rain gutters installed 😀
Oh heck yes, I honestly think I was world class in my engineering mad skilz as did my employer and their competitors. However being elite at chemical engineering isn’t really all that valuable since I retired.
But it was fun to know I was playing at a high level during my career. Now I’m only pretty good at tennis, running, hiking, fishing, skiing, pickle ball, cooking, running nonprofit organizations and bush whacking. But pretty good is good enough for me.
Thanks for the comment Steve. I totally agree. I’m happy to have one totally legit “mad skill” and a good host of other where I’m, while not a master, still pretty good and having fun getting even better!
I don’t think I’m really skilled at anything naturally, but I am really good at toughing things out and sticking to them. I get good enough at most things by mere persistence.
Hey Dave and thanks for the comment. I’m exactly the same. For example, my ability to create and play music is not a function of any particular talent or facility. It’s all sheer force of will. And like you say, grit and determination can make up for quite a bit!
Fascinating article Mr. Fate. I enjoy these subjects/topics that center around things we don’t really stop to think about. I think you’re being a bit too hard on yourself. I think your blog writing would be considered a skill? You fish as well right? And go hiking without killing yourself. You play an instrument. And while not really falling into a category/definition you listed above, I think being a husband is a skill.
I obviously have my trade background in carpentry. That’s probably my best skill. I can build things. It also taught me to research and do. Just jump in and do it. “You’re not going to build it by looking at it.” is a common phrase on a job. I’ve felt this translate over to working on my car, teaching myself to fish, roof work, window work, and bunch of other repair type things. The line is usually if I need to buy an expensive special tool I’ll balk.
But you know, sure I can toy around by myself building small things in the garage or a fence or maybe a simple house, but to really build, like a building. Carpentry skills are not sufficient. My most cherished skill that pays the bills (if this is one) is mastering the flow of communication and someone telling grown men to do what they don’t want to do. Reading the drawings and interpreting who will do the work and in what order. That may be more of an art than a skill, especially with the sort of knuckleheads in construction that think they’re tough guys and really will punch you out.
Hey, Noel and thanks for the comment. Yeah, I certainly do have outdoors, fishing and some writing skills for sure, but I am no master. However, they are functional to the point where I can enjoy them without (much) damage to myself.
I’m envious of your carpentry skill particularly as it magnificently blends both technical competency and art. I’d be so awed whenever I went to art shows and saw dudes make insane, gorgeous things like chairs, guitars, etc.
You’re right. “Communication Orchestration” is definitely a skill (and art) that I do have a mastery of. Sweet! Now I got me 2 legit “Mad Skilz!”
don’t sell your mad skillz short, mr. fate. what about the ability to play a bass or a guitar? i’m guessing you could set up a sound system at a gig with your eyes closed and one hand tied behind your back? my dad built his own house (the one i grew up in) and it’s still standing and livable. people in that rural area all did that back in the day and learned how to repair the place just because of the economics of it.
i am a pretty good home cook and it just gets better all the time. for us it has to do with the time available and interest to refine it. one underrated one is the ability to teach a complex subject to a layperson without all the technical jargon. regular non-chemists have always appreciated that.
Thanks for the comment, Freddy. Now when I think of mad skilz, you certainly got ‘em, particularly for being able to help others understand personal investment and finance in an easy, fun and inspiring way.
Yeah, I can play music and other stuff which are definitely skills, but they did not make the “mastery-level” cut. Okay, maybe being able to handle a drunk heckler while on stage is a skill I’ve mastered. 😎
You bring up a really great point here which is the fun of developing a skill using practice, like cooking, to increase the level of skill to a point of mastery. That’s where all the passion and good times are!
If you padded this article by adding 120 pages and changed the title to “The implication of economies of scale on service based labor”, you could get a PhD in economics and then work for the federal reserve as a printing press operator.