Five-tool players in baseball field, throw, run, hit for
average and hit for power with excellence. This isn't "jack of all trades, master of none" stuff. Players like Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle back then truly excelled at all five skills as do Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and University of Washington softball shortstop Sis Bates today.
We desperately need more five-tool players across all professions. What are the essential tools that should be developed in addition to subject-matter expertise in one's profession? For starters, the best leaders and employees possess emotional intelligence and its prime ingredient, self-awareness. They understand that emotional intelligence can be developed and work hard at doing so. In addition to emotional intelligence, they embrace developing their critical thinking and problem solving, data analysis, speaking
and writing skills, too.
Being capable in these five domains transcends any profession. Stressing the importance of these skills, especially emotional intelligence, is the best advice for young people who are asking for career guidance and, in David Epstein's words in his 2019 book, "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World" are flirting with their possible selves.
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