What is *MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact* about?

*MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact* by Adaira Landry and Resa E. Lewiss teaches how to achieve career success by breaking goals into small, actionable steps. It focuses on self-care, task efficiency, communication, professional reputation, and conflict resolution. The book argues traits like competence and dependability aren’t innate but built through deliberate microskills—tiny habits practiced daily for long-term growth.

Who should read *MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact*?

Early-career professionals, overwhelmed workers, and managers seeking practical workplace strategies will benefit most. The book’s emphasis on foundational skills suits those navigating career transitions or aiming to improve communication, time management, or conflict resolution. Mid-career readers may find it too basic but useful for mentoring others.

Is *MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact* worth reading?

Yes, for its actionable, empathy-driven advice on balancing productivity with well-being. Readers praise its structured approach to workplace challenges, though some note it prioritizes breadth over depth. The microskill framework (identify, apply, practice) offers tangible methods to build resilience without burnout.

Who is Adaira Landry?

Dr. Adaira Landry is a Harvard Medical School professor, award-winning mentor, and career coach specializing in equitable workplace navigation. Co-author Dr. Resa E. Lewiss shares her medical education background. Their combined expertise informs the book’s evidence-based strategies for professional growth.

What are the key microskills for self-care in the book?

The authors stress two foundations: **nourishing trusted relationships** (your “personal board of directors”) and **practicing gratitude**. They argue against sacrificing sleep or well-being for productivity, noting 85% of workplace conflicts stem from poor self-management. These microskills create resilience for handling complex tasks.

How does *MicroSkills* approach task management?

It teaches readers to “manage tasks, not time,” focusing on mission-aligned priorities rather than busywork. Strategies include screening new opportunities against core goals, delegating effectively, and using calendar blocks intentionally. This shift aims to reduce overwhelm while increasing measurable impact.

What communication frameworks does *MicroSkills* recommend?

The book advocates for “compassionate directness”: clear messaging paired with active listening. Key techniques include reframing criticism as curiosity, using “I” statements during conflicts, and tailoring feedback to the recipient’s preferences. These skills aim to build trust and reduce workplace miscommunication.

How does the book address building a professional reputation?

Landry and Lewiss advise consistently delivering on promises, publicly acknowledging colleagues’ contributions, and strategically sharing expertise. They warn against overcommitting to tasks outside one’s core mission, which can dilute perceived reliability. Reputation is framed as a currency built through small, visible acts of integrity.

MicroSkills Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

MicroSkills

Adaira Landry & Resa E. Lewiss

3.91 (158 Reviews)

Self-growth

Business

Communication skill

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

"MicroSkills" reveals how tiny actions create massive impact in any workplace. Award-winning physicians Landry and Lewiss break down success into learnable microskills, from setting boundaries to mastering unwritten rules. Can the smallest change truly transform your career trajectory?

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Quick Summary9min

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Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Explore Your Way of Learning

MicroSkills isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Self-growth. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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@SofiaP

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@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Download This Summary

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MicroSkills

Adaira Landry & Resa E. Lewiss

3.91 (158 Reviews)

Self-growth

Business

Communication skill

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary9min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card8 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun21min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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In a world obsessed with grand gestures and overnight success, "MicroSkills" offers something refreshingly different: the recognition that career excellence comes from mastering tiny, learnable behaviors that compound over time. These aren't vague platitudes about "working harder" or "following your passion" - they're concrete actions anyone can implement regardless of background or industry. The brilliance of this approach lies in its accessibility. Unlike advice that assumes privilege or existing networks, these microskills level the playing field, providing a roadmap for navigating workplace dynamics that often remain frustratingly opaque, especially for those from underrepresented groups. Think about how we approach other skills. Would you attempt to run a marathon without training? Or perform surgery without medical school? Yet we often expect ourselves to excel professionally without deliberately practicing the component skills. What if your career growth isn't about innate talent but about mastering small, specific behaviors that create outsized results? This perspective transforms professional development from mysterious art to practical science - one where consistent, intentional practice leads to measurable improvement.

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Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

MicroSkills Summary in 9 Minutes

Break down key ideas from MicroSkills into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 8 Insights from MicroSkills in a Nutshell

Distill MicroSkills into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

MicroSkills Lessons Told Through 21-Min Stories

Experience MicroSkills through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience MicroSkills in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

Download This Summary

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MicroSkills by Adaira Landry & Resa E. Lewiss Summary

Overview of MicroSkills

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MicroSkills by Adaira Landry & Resa E. Lewiss Summary

Overview of MicroSkills

Similar books to MicroSkills

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Hidden Power of Small Actions

Self-Care and Strategic Prioritization

Communication That Connects and Convinces

Building a Reputation That Opens Doors

From Knowledge to Authority: Developing True Expertise

Navigating Workplace Culture and Building Community

The Journey to Excellence

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to MicroSkills Summary in 9 Minutes

Flash Card Mode - Top 8 Insights from MicroSkills in a Nutshell

Fun Mode - MicroSkills Lessons Told Through 21-Min Stories

Personalize Mode - Read or listen to MicroSkills Summary in 0 Minutes

Download MicroSkills PDF

Download MicroSkills EPUB

More Like This

Key Takeaways

The Hidden Power of Small Actions

Self-Care and Strategic Prioritization

Communication That Connects and Convinces

Building a Reputation That Opens Doors

From Knowledge to Authority: Developing True Expertise

Navigating Workplace Culture and Building Community

The Journey to Excellence