good-at

[good-at]

To impress, or not

I met an acquaintance for dinner today. He made most of the talks over the course of our conversation. It went from his childhood dream of becoming the chairman of department of transportation, his near goal of becoming a higher-up in one of the leading consulting firm he’s currently interviewing, to his far goal of studying anthropology. I caught a gap and threw this question to him – What do you think you are best at? – thinking it was appropriate since he revealed so much to me.

My prepared answer to this question was something close to excellent communication skills, easy-going personality, etc. His answer was a little unexpected. He quickly answered that he was really good at helping people brainstorm ideas.

I expressed my surprise. He jokingly said, “Yeah being talkative is so obvious that I don’t even need to say it out loud. I wanted to reveal something strong about me that you didn’t know.” He continued by showing me a grateful message a friend sent to him after they had a brainstorm session.

#Day4 #WhatAreYouGoodAt

[good-at]

Picking records

I’ve never met a colleague like R before. He talked bluntly about his indifference in this job. He has no passion toward the work he’s doing. “Work is work.” That’s what he would tell you. 

By night, he’s a somewhat well-known music record picker. He has made fans and friends through his “primitive” music review/ record recommendation website, home and abroad. He has made money, too. 

The other day I asked him: “What do you think you are best at?” After some expected poking around, he answered unashamedly and almost with some confidence that he thought he could be a really good record picker.

“I am able to tell the great music from the ok ones. If I didn’t work this job, I might be able to make some money off picking music.” 

And I also remember that he told me previously, the music industry is worse than the journalism industry.

#Day3 #WhatAreYouGoodAt

[good-at]

Being spontaneous

“Hara is very spontaneous, just like you.” It’s a paraphrase from Lulu. 

Hara was complaining about her EM of the new project the whole weekend. She didn’t sleep well and got up early to write an email to the AP to explain the situation and the inability of the EM. 

So I asked her the question after reading her blunt straightforward email.

- What are you best at doing? 

- I am really good at being straight. I can speak straight out of my mind, regardless of whatever thoughts others might have.

- I wasn’t asking about your job. I was asking in general.

- My job turned me into a more and more straight person, especially when dealing with conceited male managers.

About a week later, she corrected her answer to be: I am really good at changing people’s mind and persuading someone into doing something. I did, after hearing her complain about my long hair and urge for a haircut for two days, made a reservation with a Japanese hair salon.

#Day2 #WhatAreYouGoodAt

[good-at]

The first question

At Hunan House on 56th Street, she told me how she made the decision to leave this tech company in New York City to join a hedge fund in Chicago, moving from the cold to the colder, while I reached out my spoon for spicy fish broth from time to time.

- What do you feel you are best at doing?

- Ha... (Paused and surprised) Probably organizing stuff. I couldn’t stand a messy room, desk, or work space. I’m really good at keeping my space clean.

#Day1 #WhatAreYouGoodAt