# The New “Coin(s) of the Realm”
The phrase “coin of the realm” originates from 18th-century England in the then-established monarchy’s attempt to recoin or reestablish its currency for the realm. It has as grown into a metaphor that speaks to value within a particular domain, institution, effort, or any other social or economic structure within which the thing of value is sought after and drives prosperity.
The 20th century brought about knowledge as the coin of the realm. Knowing more meant more productivity, better use of time, and an advantage over others. The 21st century brought about the proliferation of computing and the internet,on which knowledge could be easily shared and retrieved on demand,for any piece of knowledge one might seek. Thus, skills have become the coin of the realm rather than knowledge, which is now relegated to being a commodity, with the ability to differentiate oneself to the same degree as corn, gasoline, or fertilizer (which is to say, knowledge no longer differentiates one prospective worker or citizen from another).
## SKILL #1: Motivational and Time-Effective Communication Skills
The ability to motivate colleagues and patients toward activities, behaviors, and habits that result in better health from optimal medication use will be a can’t-miss skill set.