This is The Only Skill You Need to Master

Written on: 20th Jul 2025

Keeping today’s read short, let’s call these side quests?

With few recent events I believe there’s one skill that’s been the foundation of everything I’ve built so far work, business, content, and even client relationships. And no, it’s not a technical one.

It’s people skills.

I’ve always had the hard skills. But I’ve never considered myself the cleverest person in the room. I’m not a communication expert or the most polished English speaker.

But I’ve reached a place where I can convey what I feel and get others to act on it. And honestly, that’s all you really need.

This started back when I prepped for interviews and taking sales calls during my Freelancing days. Over time, through trial, feedback, and books like How to Win Friends and Influence People, I developed one core belief.

You don’t need to manipulate people. You just need to understand them.

Here are a few people skills I’ve found most helpful

Don’t criticize. If you point out a flaw, people automatically go into defensive mode. Even I do. Say “your video wasn’t great,” and I’ll instantly want to justify it bad lighting, off day, rushed script, whatever.

Praising genuinely matters. People love to talk about themselves. Don’t make every conversation about “I.” Ask questions. Show curiosity. Make it about them.

Listen. Don’t talk. Since I have been observing things around. One thing which even I do btw is sometimes I don’t listen enough. I find myself running to catch the next chain of thoughts right after someone spoke. Worse is even when someone is speaking I am waiting impatiently for them to stop talking so I can start.

But since reading the book now that I am aware of this I am putting conscious efforts into not letting that thing happen. Making progress huh?

So why this topic now? Because this week, I got a negative comment. I woke up, checked Youtube, and saw a rude remark under one of my videos. It stung for a moment. But then I noticed something else a person defending me in the replies.

We as humans never focus on the bright side do we?

“That’s when I remembered no matter what you do, someone will misunderstand you.”

Read that again!

Even your closest people. You’ll pull strings for someone, go out of your way to help them and all they’ll remember is that one thing you didn’t do.

So here’s a new rule I’m living by (and you can hold me accountable) I’m done giving energy to people who are determined to stay offended.

If I make a mistake and it’s pointed out sincerely, I’ll own it. But if someone’s just there to throw shade I walk away.

When I was talking my mom and telling here about these comments, she was like reply to them maybe there’s some feedback for you. And I said yes I hear you, I will definitely reply to the top comment. But the second is pure frustration, I wouldn’t engage in that.

This happens in personal life too. I do my best as I can to accomodate events, meetups in my schedule but sometimes I fail to register few things. But people seem to not care and just give out for no reason.

Hence, moving forward no more Mr. Nice guy. Just keeping this in mind no matter what I do or say I won’t make everyone happy and it’s not my duty either. So be it.

We got it all wrong (Introverts vs Extroverts)

When I first moved to Ireland, I knew 4–5 people. Everything else family, friends, support was back in India and online. That first year was lonely.

But in year two, I started putting myself out there. I joined meetups, talked to strangers, said yes to more invites. And suddenly, I realized I love being around people.

For the longest time, I thought I was an introvert because I confused “communication skills” with “personality.”

But here’s the actual definition

Introverts lose energy around people.

Extroverts gain energy from being around people.

And I definitely fall into the second camp. That shift changed everything. The right conversation at the right time can lift your mood, give you clarity, and make you feel less alone in your struggles.

Decisions, Friction & Focus

Lately, I’ve had three options pulling me in different directions. Focus on my job and chase promotions or Grow my content business or Build Debugged, my software services company.

So I did what I always do broke it down.

Option 1: Job stability. I already got promoted. I’ve got 21 months of sponsorship left. If I stay, I get Stamp 4. So for now, it’s smart to stay put.

Option 2: Content is gaining momentum. People I looked up to are now reaching out for collabs. It’s wild. And I don’t want to lose this momentum.

Option 3: Debug is tough to pursue legally here right now. But I can lay the foundation, build connections, and then use my content distribution as leverage later.

So the decision is clear Double down on the job and content. Let the business idea simmer until the timing’s right.

Sometimes, clarity comes from just writing it all out. This was a real quick one but I’ll share more about this decision making thing next Sunday.