A skill is the learned or innate [1] ability to act with determined results with good execution often within a given amount of time, energy, or both.
Some examples of general skills include time management, teamwork[3] and leadership,[4] and self-motivation.
[15][16] Skilled workers have long had historical import (see division of labour) as electricians, masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, bakers, brewers, coopers, printers and other occupations that are economically productive.
[25] Development of a very high level of skill is often desirable for economic, social, or personal reasons.
Epstein argues that many tasks require a variety of skills which tend to be possessed by more well-rounded people, and finding a task which is a better fit to one's personality and interests can overcome the advantage otherwise provided by having more practice earlier in life and attempting peak performance as a younger person.
Someone who has demonstrated a high level of knowledge or skill in multiple disciplines is known as a polymath, or in musical performance, a multi-instrumentalist.
A long-standing question is to what extent skills can be learned versus the degree that innate talent is required for high-caliber performance.