Non-business skills (including procrastination) that add value to business skills

Finance, strategy, accounting - all of those are good to know and nice to have. However, to sign the deal, we all need a little more. Some of these non-business skills can be that missing link.

1. A bit of humour -

You don't need to be a comedian (but if you are, good for you). For the rest of us, a safe joke or two (not 8 or 10, it is business after all) can lighten the room. It can elevate you from just another potential client/employee to a friend. Plus, it is easier to do business with people you are comfortable with i.e. friends and share a joke or two with them.

2. A strict cell phone ban -

Unless you are expecting a call for the presidential nomination, do not text, answer or even look at your cell phone. Establishing trust and empathy with eyes on the screen is not possible.

3. No fluff -
Contrary to what we might have experienced in classrooms and even in some boardrooms, fluff won't get us far. Save the jargon, be to the point and let's all get home on time for dinner.

4. Logic and storytelling wins over pretty slides -
This rule applies because the idea is and should always be at the core of the presentation and not the artistic use of PowerPoint themes and 'free' images pawned off the web. (SideNote - certain classrooms are an exception, you know what I'm talking about)

5. Remember to procrastinate a little -

Apparently, ideas tend to be more creative when you take a little time instead of diving right into them. So, go on and take some time to not do what you should be doing...so that you can do it better.
(Scientifically explained (with humour) in this TED talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxbCHn6gE3U)

6. Learn something unrelated -

Having skills that have nothing to do with business skills can be a great asset. It makes great conversation material because even business folks tend to be human after all.
(Suggested learning - Juggling, Rubik's cube and juggling a bunch of those cubes)