Paul works at a large organization with offices spread across multiple locations. He had always aspired to be part of such a setup, one where he could both learn and contribute. When he joined a couple of years ago, he was energetic and career-oriented. However, over time, his enthusiasm waned, and he began focusing solely on completing his tasks and maintaining an above-average performance.

One evening, while grabbing a bite at a café after work, he ran into his college friend Aaron, who was working at an MNC similar to Paul’s. As they caught up, Aaron shared that he had recently been promoted to be a manager. Paul congratulated him but was also surprised! Aaron hadn’t seemed to possess any extraordinary skills or talents that would lead to such early success. Curious, Paul asked more questions and discovered three key skills Aaron had developed over time that helped him stand out.

Setting Clear Goals: Aaron realized early on that to achieve anything meaningful, he needed to set clearly defined goals. He regularly revisited these goals to track his progress and adjust his plans as needed.

When he first set the goal of becoming a manager, he wasn’t very confident but he figured he had nothing to lose. Even if he didn’t achieve it within the desired timeframe, he believed he would at least learn something valuable along the way.

Over time, he refined his goals and stayed committed, even during moments of self-doubt. His persistence paid off.

Conflict Resolution: While working with his team or collaborating across projects, Aaron often encountered disagreements. He understood that conflict was a natural byproduct of teamwork, but he also recognized how it could lead to ego clashes and delays.

Whenever such situations arose, Aaron stepped in to mediate. He ensured clear communication among all stakeholders, using tools like meetings, conference calls, and chats to facilitate resolution. Though it required time and effort, the approach was effective.

Many conflicts stemmed from differing perspectives. Aaron emphasized that everyone was working toward the same organizational goals and that collaboration was key. His emotional intelligence played a vital role in these moments. While not every attempt was successful, he often received appreciation for his efforts and learned how to navigate difficult situations and personalities.

Open-Mindedness: In the beginning, Aaron relied heavily on his existing knowledge and beliefs. He was confident in his methods. However, when asked to approach tasks differently, he initially resisted. Eventually, he gave in and that changed everything.

He came to understand that there are multiple ways to complete a task, many of which can be equally effective. He began listening to others’ opinions without immediate judgment. While he still trusted his instincts, he also respected and evaluated alternative viewpoints.

Over time, this openness led to better decision-making. His colleagues felt heard and valued, which contributed to the success of his team and projects.

Paul thanked Aaron for the valuable insights and practical advice. They exchanged numbers and promised to stay in touch. That evening, Paul reflected on their conversation and decided to apply some of those lessons to his own work life. He felt a renewed sense of energy, similar to what he had experienced at the start of his career. He began setting goals and committed himself to pursuing them with diligence.