In a recent LinkedIn post, Idris Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB offers a strategic approach to skill acquisition for career growth, emphasizing a method that moves beyond chasing trending topics. Instead of immediately listing popular skills, Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB suggests a backward-planning technique focused on studying successful individuals in desired career fields.
Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB highlights the importance of observing those who have already achieved the career or financial outcomes an individual seeks. The focus, he clarifies, should not be on their motivational content but on their tangible abilities. He poses key questions for aspiring professionals to consider: “What skill gets them hired? What problem are companies paying them to solve? What do clients repeatedly come to them for? What can they do today that they probably spent years becoming unusually good at?”
Identifying Marketable Skills Through Observation
According to Idris Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB, the core of this strategy involves studying the practical skills of successful people. He elaborates on this by stating:
“Then I work backwards. If several successful people in a field are using data analysis, sales, product management, software development, writing, AI automation, marketing or another valuable skill to create income, that tells me something.”
Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB advises that after identifying potential skills through observation, it is crucial to conduct market research. This includes verifying if companies are actively hiring for these skills, understanding what constitutes competence, and assessing if the skill aligns with one’s own strengths and interests. He cautions against learning a skill solely because one person has profited from it, advocating instead for identifying patterns of success.
The Necessity of Deep, Focused Practice
A significant part of Idris Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB’s advice centers on the commitment required after selecting a skill. He emphasizes that acquiring a skill demands a substantial amount of focused time and effort, a stage he notes is often overlooked.
Mastering a Skill Through Deliberate Effort
Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB outlines the process of deep practice, which involves more than superficial learning. He states:
“Learn it. Practise it. Build projects. Solve real problems. Get uncomfortable. Ask for feedback. Use AI to accelerate your learning. Repeat until your work starts looking noticeably different from that of the average beginner.”
This rigorous approach, according to Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB, is essential for moving beyond beginner status and developing a level of expertise that stands out in the job market. He encourages professionals to embrace challenges and seek continuous improvement.
Building Evidence While Learning
Idris Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB also addresses the common tendency to wait until a skill is fully mastered before seeking employment or income. He advocates for building tangible evidence of one’s abilities concurrently with the learning process.
Practical Steps for Demonstrating Competence
To bridge the gap between learning and earning, Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB suggests several practical actions:
- Volunteer for opportunities.
- Solve problems for small businesses.
- Create portfolio projects.
- Engage in freelance work.
- Apply for internships.
- Help someone for free if the experience is genuinely valuable.
The primary goal during this phase, as outlined by Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB, is not necessarily to secure a high salary but to obtain validation from others that you can solve their problems. This builds credibility and provides proof of competence. He explains his own career navigation as a testament to this approach:
“I watched people, learned what created value, experimented, built things, changed direction when necessary and kept developing skills long enough for opportunities to start appearing.”
In conclusion, Idris Akinlabi, PHRi™ MCIB’s recent LinkedIn post provides a structured and pragmatic framework for career development. By shifting the focus from trending skills to observable expertise and committing to deep, deliberate practice, professionals can make more informed decisions and build a foundation for sustained career success.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Idris Akinlabi , PHRi™ MCIB on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on August 15, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →