What is the main message of MicroSkills?

The main message of MicroSkills is to develop specific skills that lead to professional success.

How long does it take to read MicroSkills?

It takes a few hours to read MicroSkills and only 15 minutes to read the Blinkist summary.

Is MicroSkills a good book? Is it worth reading?

MicroSkills is worth reading for its practical advice on skill development.

Who is the author of MicroSkills?

The authors of MicroSkills are Adaira Landry & Resa E. Lewiss.

Career & Success

MicroSkills Book Summary - MicroSkills Book explained in key points

Listen to the Intro

00:00

MicroSkills summary

Name: MicroSkills
Rating: 3.6 (13 reviews)
Author: Adaira Landry & Resa E. Lewiss

Adaira Landry & Resa E. Lewiss

The Tiny Steps That Lead to the Biggest Accomplishments

3.6 (13 ratings)

17 mins

Topics

Time Management Inspiration Career Progress Goals Success Routines & Habits

Table of Contents

MicroSkills
Summary of 5 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 5

What’s in it for me? Transform challenges into opportunities through bite-sized habits.

Do you ever get overwhelmed by the complexities of professional growth? Well, what if we told you that every career challenge, from task management to conflict resolution, could be tackled through actionable, bite-sized steps?

Through their extensive experience in the medical and educational fields, authors Adaira Landry and Resa E. Lewiss debunk the myth that traits like competence, ambition, humility, dependability, and effective communication are innate. They propose that these qualities can be cultivated through the deliberate daily practice of microskills – small yet practical skills – to transform potential into excellence over time.

This Blink to MicroSkills is filled with tips and anecdotes on how to do just that. You’ll learn to lay a foundation with self-care practices that will protect and enhance your professional life. You’ll also discover how to streamline your task management to boost productivity and alleviate stress – and hone your communication skills to ensure that your ideas and concerns are clearly understood and valued. Finally, you’ll see how to build a reputation that both commands respect and opens new doors, and skillfully navigate workplace conflicts so you can turn potential challenges into valuable growth opportunities.

So, are you ready to flip the script on your professional life?

Build resilience with self-care

Understanding the importance of self-care isn’t just about wellness – it’s a strategic element of professional survival. It starts with the hard truth: you might love your job, but your job won’t love you back. This realization isn’t cynical but practical, highlighting why it’s crucial to have a life outside of work that brings you joy and fulfillment.

The first essential skill is building your personal support network, otherwise known as your “personal board of directors.” These are the people you trust deeply, who can support you without passing judgment. Adaira Landry experienced this firsthand as a junior resident when she administered the wrong medication during a high-pressure situation. Afterward, she sought out a trusted colleague to debrief. The move wasn’t just about analyzing a medical error; it was about finding emotional support in a stressful environment. Ultimately, Landry’s support network proved invaluable, especially when the stakes were high.

Now onto the second skill: gratitude. Being grateful is more than just good manners – it’s a survival strategy in the workplace. It involves recognizing and appreciating the contributions of others, which in turn strengthens your relationships and boosts your mental health. Consider Resa Lewiss’s experience, where she navigated a delicate end-of-life conversation with a patient under her mentor’s guidance. Years later, she applied these lessons and expressed her gratitude to her mentor. This act of gratitude wasn’t just polite; it was a meaningful exchange that reinforced her professional and personal growth.

Third, no amount of networking or gratitude can replace the fundamental need for sleep. Sleep is a nonnegotiable pillar of health, especially in professions demanding high levels of alertness and emotional resilience. Lewiss recounts how neglecting sleep early in her career impacted her recovery and cognitive functions. It was only when she started prioritizing sleep that she noticed significant improvements in her overall health and job performance.

In hindsight, it’s clear that these microskills aren’t just tips; they’re necessities. The foundations of self-care enable us to manage other aspects of our professional lives effectively, like keeping on top of a task list – which we’ll unpack next.

How to manage tasks like a pro

Managing your task list is about more than just getting through your day – it’s about smartly navigating your responsibilities so you end up feeling accomplished, not just busy. Think of it like triage in an emergency department, where what you do first can really make a difference. By adopting some strategic principles, you can clear your list more effectively and with less stress.

Take Landry’s lesson from a seminar she once attended, where she and another colleague were running a workshop. While her peer focused on perfect invitations and fancy food, Landry zeroed in on what their supervisor really valued: solid research and expanding the department’s network. This smart prioritization not only saved her time but also significantly advanced her career, highlighting the importance of aligning with your boss’s priorities.

Master the art of communication

In the fast-paced whirl of professional interactions, being a polished communicator can transform your impact in the workplace. It’s not just about dodging verbal fillers or cracking jokes; it’s about delivering your message clearly and effectively, ensuring your words resonate and fostering positive relationships.

First up, let’s talk about body language – a critical player in communication. Landry’s experience in the emergency department shines a light on this. Once, she encountered a visibly frustrated patient who had been waiting for hours. Recognizing his closed-off body language – sighs, eye rolls, terse replies – Landry knew she had to adjust her approach. She sat down, made eye contact, and showed through her open posture that she understood his frustration. This simple act of aligning her body language with a message of empathy transformed their interaction, paving the way for a more genuine and less confrontational exchange.

Stay reputable, stay credible

Building a solid reputation in the workplace isn’t a marathon; it’s an ultramarathon! Every action you take contributes to a pattern of behavior that either builds trust or erodes it – and so a continual demonstration of reliability can significantly boost your career. In fact, your progression often hinges not only on your performance but on others’ perceptions of you, which in turn can influence their willingness to work with you.

So, which microskills can bolster your professional reputation?

Navigate conflict with finesse

Conflict in the workplace is as common as coffee breaks – and often just as energizing. Nearly 85 percent of employees encounter conflict, costing companies significant time and money. So how you manage conflicts can deeply influence both your career and your company’s culture. Seeing conflict as an opportunity rather than a setback can transform potential negatives into growth moments.

One crucial microskill is recognizing the early signs of conflict. Landry’s story from her days at a test preparation company highlights this skill. She faced a situation where a student’s mother reacted negatively after being denied extra time for her tardy arrival. The mother’s withdrawal from participating in sessions was a quiet yet clear sign of brewing conflict. Landry regrets not addressing this passive-aggressive behavior sooner. Recognizing and addressing such subtle cues early on can prevent issues from escalating and preserve a positive environment.

Want to see all full key ideas from MicroSkills?

Key ideas in MicroSkills

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is MicroSkills about?

MicroSkills (2024) offers a deep dive into how small, specific skills can significantly enhance your personal and professional growth. Learn to break down complex goals into manageable actions, from building professional resilience through self-care to transforming workplace conflicts into opportunities for success.

MicroSkills Review

MicroSkills explores the essential clinical skills and knowledge necessary for medical professionals. This book is definitely worth reading for anyone in the healthcare field. Here's why it stands out:

The book offers practical strategies and techniques for handling diverse medical situations with confidence.
Real-life case studies and scenarios enhance understanding and application of the concepts discussed.
Its engaging and interactive approach transforms learning into an exciting and enriching experience.

Who should read MicroSkills?

Aspiring moguls seeking corporate finesse
Self-improvement fans craving everyday success
Career climbers championing small changes

About the Author

Adaira Landry is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School with a background in mentoring students and early career physicians. Her expertise spans various prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley; the University of California, Los Angeles; and New York University.

Resa E. Lewiss is a physician who trained at Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and who served as a Howard Hughes Research Scholar at the NIH. She specialized in emergency ultrasound at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center and led the Emergency Ultrasound Division at the University of Colorado.

Categories with MicroSkills

Career & Success Motivation & Inspiration Productivity Personal Development

Book summaries like MicroSkills

Unstoppable Mindset

Alden Mills

How to Use What You Have to Get What You Want

18 min

4.3

The Science of Getting Started

Patrick King

How to Beat Procrastination, Summon Productivity, and Stop Self-Sabotage

18 min

Good Energy

Casey Means

The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health

The Peril and Promise of Medicinal Psychedelics

17 min

The Art of Reading Minds

Henrik Fexeus

Understand Others to Get What You Want

Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life

The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business

14 min

Excessively Obsessed

Natasha Oakley

Find Your Passion, Build Your Business, Learn Your Limits, Love Your Life

16 min

The Power of When

Michael Breus

Discover Your Chronotype – and the Best Time to Eat Lunch, Ask for a Raise, Have Sex, Write a Novel, Take Your Meds, and More

Escape 9–5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

28 min

4.2

The First Rule of Mastery

Michael Gervais

Stop Worrying about What People Think of You

4 min

3.7

The Algebra of Wealth

Scott Galloway

A Simple Formula for Financial Security

Financial Evolution at the Speed of Thought

How to Get More Done in Less Time, Outsource Everything and Create Your Ideal Mobile Lifestyle

20 min

4.1

All It Takes Is a Goal

Jon Acuff

The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential

15 min

4.4

Optimal

Daniel Goleman & Cary Cherniss

How to Sustain Personal and Organizational Excellence Every Day

19 min

3.6

Linked

Omar Garriott & Jeremy Schifeling

Conquer LinkedIn. Get Your Dream Job. Own Your Future.

17 min

The ChatGPT Millionaire

Neil Dagger

Making Money Online Has Never Been this EASY

How Emotional Intelligence Can Help You Build Resilience and Heal Your Relationship with Work

12 min

3.6

Walmart

Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts

Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World's Largest Retailer

How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

18 min

4.0

Work Smarter Not Harder

The Blinkist Team

Find more productivity by doing fewer things.

The Psychology of Persuasion

33 min

4.5

The Problem with Change

Ashley Goodall

And the Essential Nature of Human Performance

14 min

4.2

Buddhism – Plain and Simple

Steve Hagen

The Practice of Being Aware, Right Now, Every Day

Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health

The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything

19 min

4.4

The Program

Eric Kapitulik & Jake MacDonald

Lessons From Elite Military Units for Creating and Sustaining High Performance Leaders and Teams

16 min

Get Better at Anything

Scott H. Young

12 Maxims for Mastery

21 min

4.2

The ONE Thing

Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

The surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results

18 min

4.6

The Art of War (new version)

Sun Tzu

Classic military strategy for politics, business, and everyday life

The Science and Art of Overcoming Insomnia Without Medications

Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation

The New Workday Standard of Creating More by Working Less

Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness

Learn to Read a 200+ Page Book in 1 Hour

18 min

4.6

Made to Stick

Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

17 min

4.5

How to Make a Few Billion Dollars

Brad Jacobs

The Billionaire Blueprint Revealed

Philosophical Insights on Death

No-BS Secrets to Success (No Matter What Life Throws at You)

Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley’s Quiet Revolutionary

A Practical Guide to Personal Productivity and Wellbeing

19 min

4.2

Difficult Conversations Don't Have to Be Difficult

Jon Gordon & Amy P. Kelly

A Simple, Smart Way to Make Your Relationships and Team Better

19 min

Not the End of the World

Hannah Ritchie

How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet

21 min

4.2

The Education of Millionaires

Michael Ellsberg

Everything You Won't Learn in College About How to Be Successful

The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type

21 min

4.6

The Psychology of Money

Morgan Housel

Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness

22 min

4.4

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.