Master This Skill and Shine In Any Situation

As individuals, we are complex and riddled with nuances, quirks and follies of all sorts. Yet, within these carved niches of our character and personality are often rooted patterns, routines and behaviors, which can be deciphered and decoded.

Learning an individual’s patterns and routines provide a blueprint for their expectations and motivation, and allows us to react accordingly. Understanding how others work is crucial, and having this understanding provides us the ability to anticipate what others want and need – a skill rarely discussed, though invaluable to hone.

I meet with my boss daily, and my ability to anticipate questions allows me to fully prepare for any inquiry she may throw my way. If not prepared, I’m simply left gawking, often kicking myself for not researching further. Knowing her expectations allows me to not only meet them, but to exceed them.

Also, anticipating others’ needs and behavior prevents crucial details from falling through the cracks. If I know my colleague is more of a ‘big picture’ thinker, I can easily follow up and subtly ask if she has sent out an invite for next week’s team meeting.

Sometimes deciphering the needs and inner workings of others is not an easy task, but here are a few tips to aid in the decoding.

1. Who do they respond to? Who do they report to? Whose expectations must they meet or exceed? Looking at the priorities of those they report to, and what is pushing them is a significant indicator of what they’ll be expecting out of you.

2. Are there patterns in their requests? Are there specific projects they are continually asking you for, or requesting updates on? Is there a specific day of the week or time of day when they make these requests? These are top priority on their list.

3. Before going into a meeting, put yourself in their shoes. Ask yourself –what questions will I need to respond to? What do I need to be prepared to discuss and what value can I bring to the table? A little extra research and having valuable content to contribute can often go miles.

4. Examine past situations. Look back to particularly to high-stress situations and put your behaviors under the microscope. When under a high-stress situation, how did you react? How did your boss and colleagues react? Did your behavior help or hurt the situation in any way? Reviewing past situations can often help in knowing how best to respond and anticipate behavior in future situations.

When we’re able to learn and adapt to others’ quirks and behaviors, we can anticipate others’ needs, earning a reputation for being smart, reliable and providing quality work, making us a leader no matter what title our business card may read.

About the author

Teri has navigated her career from the nonprofit to the corporate sector, working currently in business development at the global public relations firm Weber Shandwick helping to secure work with many of the world's leading brands. Follow Teri on Twitter: @TeriLeavens.