Management Tip of the Day: Master a New Skill

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile FEBRUARY 27, 2013 Master a New Skill Self-improvement is necessary to getting ahead. But whether you want to be better at public speaking, using social media, or analyzing data, how do you start? Here are three general rules to follow: Start small. Learning new skills can feel overwhelming. Focus on one and break it down into manageable goals. For example, if you're trying to become more assertive, push yourself to talk in the first five minutes of a meeting. Reflect along the way. Think about what you're learning, otherwise the new skill won't stick. Talk about your progress with others to get valuable feedback, keep you accountable, and cement the change. Teach it to others. One of the quickest ways to learn something new, and to practice it, is to show others how to do it. Share what you learn with your team, your manager, or your co-workers. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Master a New Skill" by Amy Gallo. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Financial Accounting A Self-Paced Learning Program The Financial Accounting Self-Paced Learning Program is an introduction to the fundamental concepts of financial accounting in a management context. Developed by Harvard Business School faculty for use in MBA and executive education courses at HBS and other leading business schools, as well as Fortune 2,000 companies this program describes the business activities for Global Grocer, a small retail franchise specializing in gourmet foods and specialty kitchen implements from all over the world. In the program, you'll follow the story of Global Grocer from its inception through the first year of operation. The program teaches you how accounting systems are used to record the day-to-day economic activities of a business and places special emphasis on understanding accounting terminology. You'll learn fundamental accounting concepts and apply those concepts in a detailed examination of the financial statements used to describe the business. Throughout the program, you'll be presented with real-world challenges that require you to interpret the financial data to find answers. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Learn To Be Charismatic Write Your First Draft Fast Balance Creative Free Time with Structure Managers: It's OK to Keep Your Door Closed When Delegating, Let Go of the How Persuasion Doesn't Require Manipulation Give Your Slides Some White Space Learn From Your Rivals Defuse Difficult People Revise and Edit Your Writing Project All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)