I want to work on skills - and whilst I have SPD's on I'll continue to just jump and bring the bike with me, rather than front-then-back and using the mechanics of the situation to bring the bike up.
I'm not convinced by the ride flats to learn skills approach. If you're going to ride SPD long term then why mess about with flats? Do a skills training day, it's the bike fit of mtb.
Shoes (five ten) matter more than the actual flat pedals as I understand it.
And kiss goodbye to your shins
Scalpel with flats is WRONG