MicroSkills

“What if the path to professional growth was built on small, manageable steps instead of overwhelming leaps?”

1. Prioritize Self-Care to Thrive Professionally

Taking care of yourself is not just about feeling good; it’s about building the resilience needed to handle challenges in your career. The authors emphasize the reality that your job may demand a lot from you, but it won't reciprocate love or loyalty. This is why maintaining a life filled with fulfilling activities outside of work is vital for balance and mental well-being.

A key strategy is to form your “personal board of directors” – a trusted network you can turn to in moments of difficulty. For example, Adaira Landry leaned on a supportive colleague after making an error during a stressful medical situation. Her experience shows how having a dependable network can provide both professional guidance and emotional relief during trying times.

The book also highlights gratitude as a workplace survival tactic. Expressing gratitude nurtures relationships and fosters mental strength. Resa Lewiss shared how acknowledging her mentor’s teachings in a tough situation strengthened her connection to that mentor and shaped her professional journey. Moreover, the authors remind us of the non-negotiable nature of sleep. Lewiss recounted how neglecting rest early in her career undermined her performance and clarity, revealing that sufficient sleep is a cornerstone for both productivity and resilience.

Examples

• Landry built a support network to process her mistake with the wrong medication.
• Lewiss thanked her mentor years after receiving guidance, deepening their professional bond.
• Prioritizing sleep boosted Lewiss's cognitive functions and work effectiveness.

2. Approach Tasks Like a Professional

Effective task management is about working smarter, not harder. Small skills like prioritizing tasks, setting realistic timelines, and assessing resource needs can make a big difference in how you perform at work. Great results often come not from doing everything, but from doing the meaningful things well.

Landry learned early on to align her priorities with her boss's goals. During a workshop project, she focused on what mattered most to her supervisor – research and networking – bypassing unnecessary details like catering. This strategy advanced her career by showcasing her ability to prioritize effectively. Similarly, Lewiss shared how making quick decisions in emergency situations, such as choosing an ultrasound over standard protocol, can lead to life-saving outcomes.

Planning also plays a big role. Landry broke down her preparation for a major Harvard lecture into achievable steps with clear deadlines. Her careful pacing allowed her to deliver an impactful presentation. However, missteps, like underestimating the resource demands of a podcast initiative, taught her the importance of assessing feasibility before diving into projects.

Examples

• Landry focused on impactful priorities during a departmental workshop.
• Lewiss used prioritization in an emergency to save a patient’s life.
• Breaking down lecture milestones helped Landry deliver a top-quality presentation.

3. Communicate Effectively and Authentically

Clear communication is like a superpower in any workplace. It’s not only about what you say, but how you say it – from body language to concise messaging, every aspect matters. Good communication can foster smoother interactions and quick problem-solving.

Landry illustrated how body language can set the tone for effective communication. She transformed a tense moment with a frustrated patient by maintaining eye contact and adopting an empathetic posture, which diffused his anger. Addressing language barriers is equally essential. Once, a Spanish-speaking patient was misdiagnosed due to incomplete information, but calling in an interpreter resolved the issue and avoided a health crisis.

Being concise also saves time and ensures clarity, especially in urgent situations. Lewiss recalled handling a medical emergency by giving the surgeon precise, factual instructions instead of elaborate details, enabling prompt action. These situations demonstrate how intentional communication can make every conversation count.

Examples

• Landry used empathetic body language to connect with an upset patient.
• An interpreter helped avoid a misdiagnosis for a Spanish-speaking patient.
• Lewiss’s direct approach during a medical emergency saved precious time.

4. Build Trust to Cement Your Reputation

A good reputation is built on consistent actions and transparency. People notice if you follow through on promises, meet deadlines consistently, and take accountability for mistakes. Professional respect grows over time and hinges on creating positive patterns of behavior.

Meeting deadlines, for instance, is a simple but powerful way to earn trust. Lewiss recounted working with someone who repeatedly missed due dates, which eroded their reputation. Alternatively, addressing complaints constructively can show leadership. Landry worked with a team member whose negative tone affected morale but guided them toward voicing issues more positively, improving team dynamics.

Finally, honesty is non-negotiable. A resident lying about completing a procedure deeply damaged their relationship with Lewiss, demonstrating how even one instance of dishonesty can have lasting consequences. Owning up to errors might be hard, but it’s far better than losing credibility.

Examples

• Maintaining deadlines builds reliability; failing them tarnishes trust.
• Landry coached a team member to present complaints positively, improving morale.
• A resident’s dishonesty affected trust, showing the long-term impact of integrity.

5. Spot Conflict Before It Escalates

Conflict doesn’t need to be destructive. If recognized early, mild disagreements can lead to improved understanding and solutions. Ignoring subtle signs can turn a small issue into a larger dispute over time.

Landry’s story about a mother withdrawing from test sessions after being denied extra time points to missed chances for early resolution. Subtle cues like sarcasm, quiet withdrawal, or aggressive tones often signal underlying tensions. By acknowledging and addressing these signals, relationships can shift toward trust rather than animosity.

Proactively discussing your own role in conflicts can also help bridge gaps. A confrontation between Landry and her overconfident colleague only improved when both admitted mistakes during a debriefing. Such open communication restores relationships and mitigates tension.

Examples

• Passive withdrawal by a client indicated unresolved tension, which could have been addressed early.
• Sarcasm or smaller behavioral changes often indicate dissatisfaction in the workplace.
• Mutual acknowledgment of errors allowed a resolution between Landry and her colleague.

6. Focus on Gratitude as a Workplace Tool

Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good activity; it helps cultivate stronger professional relationships and improves your outlook on work. Supporting others and expressing thankfulness builds loyalty and creates less stressful work environments.

For example, Lewiss’s gratitude to a mentor years after their guidance demonstrated respect and maintained a connection. Gratitude fosters supportive teams and helps you appreciate everyone's contributions during difficult times.

Examples

• Thanking a mentor helped maintain lasting professional respect.
• Teams that acknowledge each other’s work bonds better and achieve more.
• Practicing gratitude regularly can shift overall team attitudes.

7. Sleep Is a Non-Negotiable Pillar

Sleep directly impacts memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. Lewiss’s experience of burnout from sleep deprivation emphasized why rest must be prioritized in demanding careers.

Examples

• Recovery from emotional burnout was delayed until sleep improved.
• Clarity increased remarkably when Lewiss took sleep seriously.

Takeaways

1. Celebrate small wins like finishing key tasks or supporting coworkers – they add up over time.
2. Create a “personal board of directors” you can rely on for honest feedback and guidance.
3. Acknowledge mistakes promptly and focus on problem solving when addressing conflicts or errors at work.