Linking Skills, Employee Performance & Career Development

Skills determine an employee’s ability to perform their job. Some have a big impact on performance and make achieving career goals possible. Recruiters and employers look for soft and hard skills when filling vacancies. Beyond that, employers must be concerned with skills and competencies for performance management and employee development.

It’s also becoming increasingly important that companies offer employees the opportunity for personal growth. The University of Phoenix's Annual Career Optimism Index found that 68% of workers would stay with their employer throughout their career if the employer made an effort to upskill them. In this article, we’ll discuss some skills that are linked with employee performance and career development and how to improve them using performance management.

Types of Skills

The two major categories of skills include hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are quantifiable and usually gained through training and experience. For example, a person’s ability to code or use Microsoft Excel. These determine what career someone can pursue and where it can progress.

Soft skills are non-technical, interpersonal attributes. These are indicators of how someone will work with others and handle pressure or challenges on the job. They even help a person to implement their taught capabilities in the workplace. Soft skills really dictate employee performance and their malleability in developing their career.

Let’s look at five soft skills and better understand their link to performance and career growth.

1. Problem-Solving Skills

Employees with good problem-solving skills can forecast issues that could impact the company or their ability to complete projects. This skill allows them to plan and consider the best way to manage potential risks, improving overall performance. They’re able to address something that isn’t working proactively and without panic.

These employees are highly motivated meaning they can make career development by accepting challenges. Strong problem-solving skills demonstrate logic, creativity, and lateral thinking. As such, managers and leaders will notice these workers and likely offer them career development opportunities.

2. Communication Skills

Employees with strong communication skills positively contribute to a team. They can convey ideas clearly and will address any concerns without hesitation. These workers promote team collaboration with higher productivity and better performance. Communication competency goes beyond talking. They also use assertive body language that is believable and trustworthy.

Such employees are confident to discuss career development with managers. They are more willing to become leaders and offer themselves up to manage team tasks. They can also be trusted to lead discussions with anyone involved, including colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.

3. Organizational Skills

Organizational skills directly impact performance as time and energy are focused on exactly what needs doing. These employees know how to prioritize and can spot opportunities to improve their work. They’re efficient workers, meaning they can fit more work in and experience less stress.

Employees with great organizational competency make great managers and can move up in the ranks managing teams easily. An organized and efficient workplace also motivates others. Leadership can trust these employees with challenging tasks which will expose them to better career development opportunities.

4. Time Management Skills

Employees who manage their time efficiently are reliable and will meet deadlines. Though good time management means increased performance rates, they are less likely to burn out. These workers can juggle multiple tasks at once as they allocate attention to a set schedule.

Stress is typically a setback in career development, but when you’re less stressed and managing your work well, you can have a better work-life balance. This balance is key to career development. Good time management leaves extra time to learn new skills and accept more responsibility at work.

5. Leadership Skills

Strong leadership skills are what every employer wants to see in their employees. These people are patient in team collaboration and encourage high performance. They can take calculated risks and align individual goals with overall business goals. A competent leader has the confidence to put forward ideas and go beyond expected workloads.

It goes without saying that employees with great leadership skills are set up for career development. They often already communicate with managers and leadership so this will be a top thought when a promotional opportunity arises. They not only develop their own careers but also motivate others to perform their best.

Utilizing Performance Management

Performance management is a great way to develop your employees’ skills and guide their career development. Managers can ensure that everyone in the team understands their roles and identify areas for improvement. Together with employees, you can develop training aims to improve performance in the short run and establish career development goals.

Ensure that you’re asking for feedback when conducting performance management. Your employees know what soft and hard skills they have to offer. They also have an idea of how they’d like to progress in their career. Two-way communication is key.

Upskilling or reskilling employees can be highly advantageous in retaining staff, which can save a company a lot of money. Filling a vacant role with existing staff rather than hiring for it demonstrates that you value your employees and their growth. You’ll also attract top talent that values skill-building opportunities and will be committed to your organization.

Final Comments

Skills can be inherent or taught. They impact performance and career development opportunities. As an employer, it’s in your best interest to help employees upskill and reskill. A lot of individual skills have the potential to improve the performance of others on a team through motivation and efficiency. Having a team of skilled employees makes for better opportunities for your whole company.