Skills are Overrated. Be Memorable in 2016!

3 min readJan 3, 2016

Having interviewed, coached and watched many talented professionals in action, I am constantly amazed why so many describe themselves as a basket of skills.

Answering the simple question, “Tell me something about yourself?”

The reply is often a laundry list of qualifications, certificates and so-called “professional” skills.

“I studied this…, I studied that and I can do this etc.”

What is common in all these responses is how dull and generic lists are. Laden with “buzz words” they mean little and are instantly forgettable.

It is no wonder. When professionals recite these bland list of their “skills” they become dispassionate. Their body language sags. Shoulders drop. Disembodied, they grind through a series of “skills” because they think you want to hear.

Now I am not saying that skills and qualifications are unimportant. People have invested time, effort and money to acquire them. But all skills are tickets of entries. Door openers to professions. Nothing more.

Skills do not guarantee success. In fact, all skills are mere commodities. As commodities they are only discreet unit of value. Like any commodity, all “skills” are ease to expend and replace.

Think about it for a moment.

Name one skill you cannot purchase in the marketplace? Each skill has its price. There is nothing special or memorable about it.

So how can you be memorable in 2016 and catapult your life, career and business?

The answer is part changing how you describe yourself. Qualifications do not define you. Your unique talents are your true marks of differentiation.

All of us are the sum of our experiences: good and bad. The result is a unique spark that makes us stand out from the crowd. Focus on that spark. It is the source of your unique value.

Ask yourself, what are my drivers — passions- to see change in my field? Your energy to make change is the source of your uniqueness. Not abstract skills. People who able articulate “why” and “what” drives them are magnetic and memorable. Even if you disagree with them. It does not matter. Their drivers are a source of energy. It is memorable.

Focus on what drives you. Writing it down. Develop statements that are an expression of your unique drivers. Test them. Refine them. Turn them into personal statements that will amplify your impact.

Finally, the greatest gift of your unique drivers is that you do not experience to obtain them. There is no school for formulating personal drive. You must be entirely self-educated. Be introspective. Be truthful. Frauds are easily spotted, so be honest. But remember your limits of your drivers are only what you place on yourself.

So forget the mindless basket of skills. By describing your personal drivers, you give others an insight into your inspirations and dreams. Their impression of you, and your abilities, will be fixed at that point. You will be memorable. The rest depends on your actions and the result you achieve.

About the Author

Simon Trevarthen is Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Elevate Your Greatness (EYG). EYG helps individuals, teams and organizations unpack the secrets of success by becoming even better versions of themselves through dynamic keynotes, seminars and workshops on innovation, inspiration and presentation excellence.