Business Class

Forget the teachers, books and dirty looks. Some of your most important business lessons can’t be found in the classroom.

CareerBuilder.com has come up with four important lessons for success in the workplace. They asked employers and employees what vital skills always seem to be missing and number one on the list is communication. Experts say tools like small talk, reading between the lines and public speaking can give you the advantage in almost any situation. Bronwyn Saglimbeni, a Public Speaking and Media Coach says one of the most overlooked communication tools is active listening. Saglimbeni says most of the time people listen with the intent to answer versus listening to fully understand what is being said.

But it’s not all about life in the office, experts say it would also be useful for schools to teach kids how to balance a checkbook or fill out a job application. To see what other skills you should perfect keep reading. Because in today’s economy learning how to get and keep a job isn’t found in a textbook.

From Careerbuilder.com

Communication skills
"Small talk. Probably the most important skill in business is how to engage people you barely know, how to hold your own in cocktail party and dinner conversation, and how to respond graciously to idiots, drunks and other problem personalities." - Maureen Wall Bentley, vice president of brand strategy for Aartrijk

"Reading between the lines in other people's words to find subtle indicators of dissatisfaction with what you're doing (or not doing)." - Jeff Deutsch, life coach and presenter

"Public speaking. I was fortunate to have competed on a speech and debate team in high school, but most kids don't get that training -- and it's truly priceless. I recently tracked down my coach and thanked him." - Bentley

Personal development
"[How] to be OK to change what you are doing to pursue something you are [passionate] about ... even if it means working for yourself." - Carrie Middlemiss, owner of Bella Cupcake Couture

"Time management. I had no idea how to organize my time to prioritize what needed doing." - William Duke, president of Duke Computer Solutions

"Success. Schools do not discuss how to determine what success is for the individual. We leave everyone to figure out for themselves what they want, or just go for money." - Duke

"Independent problem solving -- how to get things done by yourself and use strategy, deductive reasoning and common sense to do it when you aren't well-versed in the area and stuck doing it on your own." - Sabina Ptacin, partner and chief creative strategist for Red Branch Public Relations

"Actual hands-on accounting skills, such as budgeting, reading financial reports, financial instruments and their use." - Gary A. Powell, head of Financial Security Specialists

Interacting with others
"Relating to customers, superiors and peers. No matter how high you climb, you will always have all three to answer to." - Deutsch

"Gauging how important a particular issue is to someone." - Deutsch

"Tips on the best ways to ask for what you want and not to be afraid to do so." - Middlemiss

"Sales. No matter what you think, you'll be selling. Everyone's selling something; even if it's just themselves. Let's teach our kids how." - Duke

"Manual labor. Everyone should have a manual labor job at some point. Wait tables and wash dishes. Pump gas. Mow lawns. A little humility is good for you and might prevent you from being a jerk later in life." – Duke

All things boss-related
"Not all in management have true leadership ability. Not all have good management skills. Others are learning how to be managers after they get the job. Learn how to communicate and work with these bosses or be prepared to get a different job. Simply complaining about it is never a good step." - Nasser

"Practical aspects of management: hiring and firing skills, personnel management and employee assistance program management." - Powell

"To let your boss know in advance if an issue is going to explode in her or his face. Would you want to experience a negative surprise in front of others?" - Nasser