Get a SKIN in the game – a call for your passion and perseverance

After interviewing over 30+ students from my department, I found myself having coined a new term called SKIN. You are also witnessing the possibility of the genesis of creating a new entrepreneurship and/or leadership framework for advancing leadership skills and career development. The term I am talking about is appropriately called SKIN as part of the title of this blog – Get a skin in the game !! Most people would understand the title of this blog article. Please also take note that in this article, I have also made use of popular LLM-based AGI tools like (Perplexity.ai POE.com and Bing) to give the reader a taste of its comparative performance.

For those who are not familiar, this phrase of “getting a skin in the game”  has a metaphorical meaning. The phrase “getting a skin in the game” refers to being directly involved in or affected by something, especially financially. When people have skin in the game, it means they have a personal investment in an organization or undertaking, and therefore a vested interest in its success. Essentially, it implies that individuals have incurred some risk (monetary or otherwise) by participating in achieving a goal. The metaphorical “skin” represents an investment, and the “game” symbolizes the actions or endeavors under discussion. For instance, when advising someone to invest time and effort into acquiring skills, knowledge, and networks for their career, we encourage them to get a skin in the game. It emphasizes the importance of active participation and commitment to achieving professional success

So, there were 30 university students (all very bright and capable ones) who joined me for one-on-one interview (much like consultations) as part of the course requirement for TEMG1010 at the Double-Degree Program in Technology and Business. (Anecdote : this TEMG DDP happens to be one of the most elite undergraduate programme here at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

I am actually very sure on how I will interpret the “S”, “K” and “N” as, and I pondered on various notions of what the “I” could mean. however, while I was I was still procrastinating on the “I” whilst enjoying the development of the “Open AI soap opera” unfolding in front of our eyes during the week when Sam Altman got outsed as OpenAI CEO and now hired by Microsoft, I toy with these AGI tools to suggest me the lexicon for my purposes.

I had to use these AGI tools to help me find what the “I” could stand for. “I” could mean different things to different people, so I asked some of my favorite AGI tools and and you will be surprised why I still think AGI is still not perfectly a human’s alternative. Quite something less than satisfactory – I might say.

First, Let’s look at this following set of text which is what I asked actually

If I want to use this “SKIN” as a new term with S representing Skills, K representing Knowledge and N representing Networking, What would you suggest to be as the best lexicon or descriptions for “I” then. Consider the phrase “get a skin in the game” where we describe to people to invest time into the acquiring skills, knowledge and networks, So the “I” must be something relevant to career preparation. Please feel free to suggest as many as you like for “I” and give rationale. And finally, I disagree using “I” for investment.

Perplexity.ai returned the following

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Based on the given context, “I” could represent “Investment” in the phrase “get a SKIN in the game”. This is because investing time into acquiring skills, knowledge, and networks is a crucial aspect of career preparation. By investing in oneself, individuals can improve their chances of success in their chosen career path. Additionally, the term “investment” implies a long-term commitment, which is necessary for building a strong foundation for one’s career. Other possible options for “I” could include “Improvement” or “Initiative”, as both of these terms also suggest a proactive approach to career preparation.

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POE.com using ChatGPT 3.5 returned the following

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Certainly! I understand your perspective regarding the letter “I” representing investment. Here are some alternative options for the “I” in the term “SKIN” that are relevant to career preparation:

  1. Initiative: This represents the proactive and self-driven approach individuals need to take in their career preparation. It emphasizes the importance of being proactive, taking the initiative to seek opportunities, and demonstrating a willingness to go above and beyond.
  2. Improvement: This highlights the continuous process of personal and professional development. It signifies the commitment to improve oneself, acquire new skills, and enhance existing knowledge to stay relevant and competitive in the career landscape.
  3. Ingenuity: This emphasizes the ability to think creatively, problem-solve, and innovate. It reflects the importance of developing a mindset that embraces innovation, adaptability, and the ability to find unique solutions to challenges.
  4. Introspection: This emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness in career preparation. It encourages individuals to assess their strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals, enabling them to make informed decisions and align their career path with their personal aspirations.
  5. Intuition: This highlights the significance of intuition and gut instincts in decision-making and career navigation. It suggests the importance of trusting one’s instincts, listening to inner guidance, and making choices based on a combination of rational analysis and intuition.
  6. Integration: This emphasizes the importance of integrating the acquired skills, knowledge, and networks into a cohesive whole. It suggests the need to connect different pieces of the career puzzle, synthesize information, and leverage diverse resources effectively.

Ultimately, the choice of the “I” term in the acronym “SKIN” depends on the specific emphasis and message you want to convey. Consider selecting a term that resonates best with the intended meaning and aligns with your vision of career preparation.

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I am still not very convinced the AGI has it right

Then, I try using BING Chat which is powered by ChatGPT 4

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Certainly! Let’s explore some relevant terms for the letter “I” in the context of career preparation, considering the components of Skills, Knowledge, and Networking (represented by “S,” “K,” and “N,” respectively). Each term has its own rationale:

  1. Insight:
    • Rationale: Insight refers to a deep understanding or perception gained through experience or observation. In the context of career preparation, having insight means gaining valuable perspectives about your field, industry trends, and potential opportunities.
    • Usage: “Developing insights into market dynamics is crucial for career growth.”
  2. Initiative:
    • Rationale: Initiative represents proactive action and taking responsibility. It aligns with investing effort and energy into skill development, knowledge acquisition, and networking.
    • Usage: “Taking initiative to attend workshops and industry events enhances your career prospects.”
  3. Investment (Alternative Perspective):
    • Rationale: While you disagree with using “I” for investment, consider it from a different angle. Viewing career preparation as an investment emphasizes the value you place on acquiring skills, knowledge, and networks.
    • Usage: “Treating career development as a long-term investment pays dividends.”
  4. Involvement:
    • Rationale: Involvement signifies active participation. Being involved in professional associations, mentorship programs, and collaborative projects contributes to career readiness.
    • Usage: “Joining industry groups fosters networking and expands your involvement.”
  5. Inquisitiveness:
    • Rationale: Inquisitiveness reflects curiosity and a desire to learn. Curiosity drives skill-building, knowledge-seeking, and relationship-building.
    • Usage: “Cultivating inquisitiveness leads to continuous growth in your career.”
  6. Integration:
    • Rationale: Integration involves combining different elements seamlessly. In career preparation, integrating skills, knowledge, and networks creates a holistic foundation.
    • Usage: “Strive for the integration of learning experiences to enhance your career readiness.”

Remember that the choice of term depends on personal preference and context. Each of these options emphasizes a different aspect of career development, so select the one that resonates with you the most! 🌟

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However, both have failed my test in one way or the other. Guess which “I” I was actually looking for ?

Click this link to submit your choice of “I”