Life Lessons from the Top 5 Skills of Mid-Level Professionals

Delegation

Sometimes you need to say ‘no’ but the work still has to get done. Being able to delegate to partners, peers, or subordinates is a skill. It’s the artful and delicate balance of sharing the wealth of the work without making people feel like you’re dumping on them. Learning delegation is key, particularly when you’re in the middle.

Appropriate Escalation

You remember the meme, “it’s above me now”...well sometimes it holds true. It’s important to know when things are above your pay grade and it’s time to bring in your boss or partner. No need to play Captain Save An Organization. You don’t have to go it alone. Pull in your supervisor when you need to and even occasionally when you don’t need to, just to keep them in the loop.

Project Management

Your ability to manage people, processes, and policies at work is a critical skill. Being able to manage projects from idea formation to implementation is key for mid-level professionals and you don’t need a PMP certification to do it. However, it is important to know how to properly manage a project and the necessary stakeholders in order to position yourself as someone who can lead and get things done.

De-escalation

Sometimes things get heated, tense, or unbearably awkward and someone has to break the ice. That someone can be you. Knowing how to de-escalate a situation, bring everyone back to neutral, and identify a reasonable solution for everyone is a key trait of mid-level professionals.

Leading Teams 

Even if it’s a small team, a group of volunteers, or community members, your ability to lead and manage people towards achieving a result is a critical skill. Supervising, managing, being a boss—all a little different in approach but all still types of leadership—are key because each demonstrates your ability to lead and drive a team towards achieving organizational goals.

I’m teaching a masterclass on one of these critical skills, project management, on October 26 and there are only 20 seats available. Grab yours today at https://www.mentor-me.org/web/mentor-me-masterclass-project-management-101