Top business skills every teen should start learning now

If your dream is to one day earn a business degree and build your own company, why wait until college to start honing your business skills? You can start learning many crucial business skills now, from tackling challenges and collaborating effectively to managing your finances.

The biggest benefit of developing skills for business in high school? They’re incredibly versatile, whether you eventually choose to pursue a career in business, a trade, or another field altogether. And, the earlier you start practicing your business skills, the more confident and capable you’ll become, transforming every new challenge, from school projects to internships, into an exciting opportunity to apply your expertise.

With the right guidance, you can gain a head start on developing valuable skills for business long before you land your first internship or job after college. This article covers seven hard and soft skills in business management, including “job skills” that look good on your resume and interpersonal skills that all great leaders have. We’ll also cover some tips on how to start building these seven key business skills as a high school student. 

Developing an entrepreneurial mindset

There are some skills in business you can’t learn from a textbook, which shouldn’t be all that surprising. After all, entrepreneurship isn’t a clear A to B to C progression or as simple as clocking in and out of a job. Building a business from scratch takes dedication, perseverance, and a combination of confidence and practical business management skills.

To be an entrepreneur is to be an innovator; it requires a willingness to step outside of the status quo and chart your own course. It means taking risks, learning from setbacks, and staying resilient in the face of uncertainty. It’s also about being resourceful and building a strong network of people who can help you achieve your goals.

MIT’s 3 traits of an entrepreneurial mindset

There are many different ways of defining the “entrepreneurial mindset.” According to the MIT Sloan School of Management, entrepreneurs are: 

• Solutions-oriented: You don’t just identify issues; you ask questions and seek knowledge, anticipate roadblocks, tap into your resources, and take actionable steps to solve problems for yourself and your colleagues (or fellow classmates).
• Adaptable: You’re ready to handle whatever comes your way; you embrace change and can assume different positions and approaches to your work (as a team member, manager, innovator, etc.).
• Anti-fragile: You approach change with confidence and curiosity, strategically plan next steps, have the skills to execute your plan, and know how to lead others to ensure its success.

NFTE’s 9 entrepreneurial mindset domains

NFTE defines the entrepreneurial mindset as a blend of characteristics, attitudes, behaviors, and business skills:

• Critical thinking & problem solving
• Creativity & innovation
• Comfort with risk
• Initiative & self-reliance
• Future orientation
• Flexibility & adaptability
• Opportunity recognition
• Communication & collaboration

Regardless of the definition, an entrepreneurial mindset encompasses more than a proficiency in certain business skills or abilities. This mindset encapsulates how you approach your work (alone or with a team), how you overcome obstacles, and your ability to thrive in any environment.

Unlike memorizing facts or learning formulas to ace a math test, you can’t learn to think like an entrepreneur through studying. You’ll need to keep practicing this mindset over and over, adjusting as you learn more, until it becomes second nature.

Practicing essential communication skills

Communication is one of those business management skills that’s so obvious, it’s easy to overlook. But if you can’t clearly communicate necessary responsibilities, expectations, and shared objectives, you can’t realistically expect a team of individuals to stay aligned and work toward a common goal. Whether you imagine yourself becoming the manager of a small team or the CEO of a multimillion-dollar company, communication is a non-negotiable skill — and one you can proactively work on.

Like other business skills, communication is an umbrella. It encompasses many different types of interactions: 

• Writing engaging and professional emails
• Leading meetings or team discussions
• Communicating with customers or clients
• Negotiating or resolving conflicts
• Giving and receiving constructive criticism
• Presenting in public forums

Whether you work in quantum computing or real estate, you must be able to present your ideas to different audiences, from entry-level employees to C-suite executives. You also need to be comfortable translating and collaborating across teams, such as accounting, marketing, product development, or sales.

Becoming a successful and versatile communicator requires learning how to clearly articulate your thoughts, project confidence, and adjust your tone and composure in different settings. It also involves networking and relationship-building. Young entrepreneurs should start practicing these underrated (but powerful) skills in business early. 

Networking sometimes gets a bad rap, especially among those who don’t consider themselves a “people person” or particularly extroverted. But effective networking allows you (even if you’re not a fan of schmoozing) to genuinely connect with others in a professional context. Get comfortable engaging in an appropriate give and take, actively listening and taking an interest in your “conversational companion” and also presenting the best version of yourself.

Mastering time management and organization

Some people excel at managing their daily life and staying organized, while others find it more challenging. You might not have all your ducks lined up 100% of the time in your personal life, and that’s okay. Professional settings demand good time management and organizational business skills.

You’ll be expected to show up on time and prepared for calls and meetings, and complete your work in a timely manner. Establishing simple routines and strategies can make meeting these expectations more manageable. Even small habits, like planning your day the night before or reviewing your tasks weekly, can make a big difference over time.

While these self-management skills aren’t necessarily stand-out resume builders, they are among the most important soft skills in business management. Why? Because they define you as a dependable and reliable team member whom your coworkers and supervisors can trust. And, your capacity to manage time, meet deadlines, and maintain a clean workflow directly shows others you are ready to apply those same skills to leading a team.

The good news about these business skills? You can cultivate them even if they’re not innate. Tools like digital calendars and scheduling apps can help you track meetings and block out time to accomplish your tasks. List, reminder, and notes apps can effectively manage daily and weekly responsibilities. Creating folders and clearly labelling files on your computer helps keep important documents easily findable and shareable.

Problem-solving and critical thinking in business

No job comes without its challenges, and working in business is no exception. Unpredictable clients and unforeseen circumstances often necessitate last-minute changes in strategy, and even the best laid plans need to be adjusted when problems arise. Problem-solving isn’t a “nice to have” talent. It’s a crucial business skill that involves thinking on your feet, diagnosing a problem, and creating an action plan to keep a business running smoothly.

Problem-solving and decision-making are classic skills for business, and they’re applicable to nearly every aspect of your work. They’re also essential business skills for hitting the ground running in a new job. Why? Starting at a new company or in a new position means learning new processes and inevitably encountering unfamiliar tasks or challenges that you’ve never faced before. 

Instead of letting the newness of a role overwhelm you, you can make a great first impression by tapping into your entrepreneurial mindset and putting on your critical thinking cap. Start by asking: Have I seen this before? 

• If yes, use your experience to guide your actions, adjusting your approach based on the role’s specific guidelines. 
• If no, identify a resource (a peer, manager, or supervisor) and ask for guidance. The first time, allow them to walk you through the process. Moving forward, refine your questions to target specific points for clarification. Eventually, propose your own solution first — this shows you’re analyzing the problem, learning from feedback, and thinking proactively.

Now that we’ve covered key soft skills in business management, let’s turn our attention to a few hard skills.

Financial literacy: understanding money early

Not all business management skills revolve around your approach to people or problems. Financial literacy is crucial for anyone interested in business, especially those who aspire to start their own venture.

Financial business skills, typically taught as part of most standard undergraduate business programs, include budgeting, accounting, financial analysis, investment and financing, pricing strategy, and cost-benefit analysis. The more technical aspects of financial literacy involve:

• Forecasting
• Financial modeling
• Reading and interpreting financial statements
• Preparing variance analysis
• Valuing assets or business units
• Understanding key terms like profit margin, ROI, and debt-to-equity ratio 

These skills may seem complex at first, but they’re helpful to anyone operating in a business context. For managers and CFOs alike, a strong understanding of finances enables them to make informed decisions, manage resources effectively, and evaluate new business opportunities.

In high school, however, it can be more beneficial to focus on financial literacy: the fundamental understanding and skills necessary to earn, manage, and invest capital. Easy ways to develop these skills could include: 

• Learning how to budget your allowance
• Tracking income from a part-time job
• Saving and investing small amounts of money to see how interest grows over time
• Understanding taxes and how they affect income

Even running a small business project, like a bake sale, lawn service, or online shop, is a practical way to practice pricing products, managing costs, and calculating profits. A strong start with these financial fundamentals establishes a solid base, which makes tackling finance’s more technical aspects much easier in the future.

How learning coding and data analytics can boost your business IQ

Today’s tech-driven economy relies on coding and data analysis as increasingly important skills for business. They help companies gain insight into market trends, target specific consumers, improve operational efficiency, and make more informed business decisions. 

Learning coding and basic programming also enhances business skills like problem-solving and logical and creative thinking. Consider this: writing code requires breaking problems down into smaller steps and strategizing how to build solutions systematically — a mindset that translates directly to tackling business challenges. Data analysis encourages critical thinking and helps you see patterns, spot opportunities, and make decisions based on evidence rather than guesswork.

Even at a high school level, experimenting with coding or data projects through online tutorials, school programs, or personal projects provides a practical understanding of how technology drives modern business. If you become proficient enough, they're also great business skills that can help make your resume stand out.

Leveraging technology to launch your ideas

Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to turn ideas into real projects, products, or businesses. Learning how to use these tools is a powerful way to develop your business skills simultaneously. Whether you want to start an online store, create an app, run a social media campaign, or organize a community initiative, digital tools give you the resources to make it happen, often with minimal upfront costs. 

Platforms like Shopify or Etsy help you sell products online, while Canva or Adobe make it easy to create marketing materials. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can help you promote and test your ideas and reach a wider audience.

The specific companies you work for throughout your career will largely dictate the tools (and technology) you use. However, there are three basic categories of tools you might encounter: 

• Online project management platforms like Monday.com, Asana, or Airtable can help you stay organized, track task completions, and keep projects on schedule.
• Collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack make it easy to communicate quickly with your team. 
• Video conferencing tools like Google Meet or Cisco Webex make staying connected simple when you work remotely or with people outside your school or office. 

Familiarity with digital platforms develops your teamwork skills and prepares you to manage projects in any modern workplace. Additionally, many companies now leverage AI through existing platforms or new and innovative applications. Getting comfortable with common chatbots and industry-specific apps (e.g., AI coding or image generation) will ensure you stay efficient and technologically current.

How to start building business skills in high school

In college, you’ll gain technical skills through courses like personal accounting, corporate finance, and operations management. But you don’t need to wait for a business degree to start developing these essential business skills.

Hard vs. soft business skills

Hard business skills, like how to analyze data or create a balance sheet, are best learned through instruction and practice. Many schools offer courses designed to introduce students to essential skills for business, like finance, accounting, and marketing. But if your school doesn’t offer these types of courses, don’t worry. Many summer entrepreneurship programs focus on teaching practical skills for business, such as budgeting and pitching. You can also explore online courses, as well as dual enrollment community college courses and pre-college summer classes at colleges and universities around the world.

Few teens have the opportunity to become managers in high school (though you might if you’re a star at your part-time job or following in the footsteps of successful young entrepreneurs). So, how do you learn soft skills in business management? By following one of the most common college admissions tips out there: seek and assume leadership roles! Look for opportunities in class, sports, clubs, or in your community. In addition to providing a leadership experience for your college apps, these opportunities will also build your confidence and hone your communication skills.

Hands-on experiences

You don’t have to launch your own company to grow your business skills. Simple projects, like coordinating a fundraiser, bake sale, or local event, help develop key skills for business. By jumping into a project headfirst, you’re guaranteed to encounter challenges that teach you to think creatively and manage responsibilities in real time.

If that sounds intimidating, remember you don’t have to do it alone! Whether you’re organizing through your school’s business club or a service organization, or trying something new with a group of friends, remember you can always ask a mentor, teacher, or parent for advice.

Top Business Skills - Takeaways

Building skills in business is about so much more than simply preparing for a career. Unlike other fields, business skills aren’t simply “job skills” — they’re life skills that will prepare you to work well with others, overcome challenges, and be successful in any job.

Here are five key takeaways about building business skills in high school:

• Start developing your business skills early so you can feel more prepared to enter college and, eventually, the workforce.
• Key business management skills include both soft (problem-solving, time management, communication, an entrepreneurial mindset) and hard skills (leveraging technology, coding and data analytics, financial literacy).
• Skills for business come from the classroom and from clubs, internships, and part-time jobs.
• Summer programs offer hands-on opportunities for you to apply your skills in business to real-world challenges. 
• Parents can foster their teen’s business skills by supporting small projects (like running a neighborhood service) and providing guidance and mentorship throughout the process.

Want more information about the business world? Check out our Guide to Business and Entrepreneurship.