How Skill Misalignment Affects Performance
Skill misalignment occurs when the skills required by a role do not adequately match the skills available within the employee—or when an employee possesses important capabilities that the role does not use.
The first situation is often called a skill gap. The second is underutilization.
Addressing the skill gap
If the problem is a skill gap (the employee needs capabilities they have not yet developed), appropriate responses may include training, mentoring, coaching, guided practice, project experience, clearer feedback, or additional time to develop competence.
Addressing underutilization
If the problem is underutilization, however, simply providing more training may not solve the problem. The employee may already possess valuable capabilities that are being overlooked. For example, someone may have strong analytical, communication, teaching, leadership, or organizing abilities but occupy a position that gives them little opportunity to use those capabilities.
The two questions for managers
Managers should therefore ask two questions: What skills does this role require? and What skills does this person actually possess?
Revealing the solution
The gap between those two sets can reveal whether the organization needs development, redesign, reassignment, or better deployment. Effective workforce development is not only about fixing what employees cannot do. It is also about discovering and using what employees can already do well.
Ensure Your Skills Are Fully Utilized
Identify the skills you want to use and develop, and find roles where they will be valued, with the help of Penagix.
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