The top 10 hottest transferable skills.

2. Dealing with Pressure. Let’s face the facts. Business, in America, is all about performing under pressure.

3. Negotiating Skills. Effective and long lasting negotiating proficiency involves the basic psychological impact of deal making. Negotiations that end with both sides feeling they “won” are the only type that will survive the test of time.

4. Verbal Communication. Maybe better stated as presentation skills. Standing up in front of a room giving a presentation is a talent that can be improved upon. However, nothing kills the effectiveness, impact and value of a presentation more than a bad speaker. The successful manager also has the ability to speak during business meetings at the right time and with the appropriate tone to achieve instant credibility. Depending upon the open positions requirements, several companies are now demanding, as part of the interview process, the applicants give a presentation to the hiring managers.

5. Written Communication. The knack for writing a cohesive, easy to read and intelligent narrative is definitely a appreciated transferable skill. Yet, it is not just the content of the message; it’s the presentation of the information that can be just as critical. For instance, employees and even managers are sending out email in "text" abbreviated format. Although this format has become a social norm, it is not acceptable for good business practice.

6. Organizing/Coordinating. If you stop and think about great events/occasions that you have attended in the past, how much thought or credit to your fond memory did you give to the organization skills of the coordination manager? Not much is my guess. What about events that didn’t go so well? Enough said.

7. Interviewing Techniques. Having the ability to ask appropriate and insightful questions during the interview process and determine if the candidate will be a match for the company is also an innate skill.

8. Teaching/Coaching. Teaching someone a new skill might be the most overlooked aspect of successful managers. Learning how to instruct the people underneath you to become experts in their individual specialties and trusting them to do the actual work allows the manager to continue to grow and focus on the bigger picture.

9. Budgeting. The learning’s involved in being responsible and accountable for a fiscal budget is invaluable to realizing your potential in management.

10. Public Relations. Stepping out of your comfort zone and representing an entity to the general public, also leads to your growth as a manager. An individual that has represented his company to the public, often times, make excellent change agents (people in the organization that help push changes in culture, and help drive business initiatives). The majority of successful managers possess at least seven of the above transferable skills. Hiring managers should be on the outlook for these very fine qualities and future candidates should strive to sharpen their aptitude in as many of the ten as possible. <br />About the Author: Paul A. Fischer is a father, husband, a former college athlete and a supply chain professional. He passionately believes in the benefits of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) as an important tool to succeed in business. <br />