Everybody knows the old saying “you should never judge a book by its cover.” If we adapt that phrase for the workplace, we might find that there’s an even more apt way to put it: “never judge the abilities of an employee by their resume.” Sometimes, we never really know what a person is good at until they’re put in a favorable position to demonstrate it, and often, their aptitude in a new skill surprises even them!
Hidden Skills are Always a Benefit
If you’re wondering why it’s worth the time to discover hidden skills in your employees or co-workers, think about this: if you have an office of specialized people and one of them gets sick or otherwise isn’t available, what do you do? Having a number of people with diverse skills can get you out of tight spots like the one I just described.
Give People a Chance to Show What They Can Do…
Some employers value added talents of their employees, yet some prefer to have employees simply focus on the job they were hired to do. This is understandable, but misguided in my opinion. People who have multiple skills are never a hindrance, they are always a benefit. If you have an employee who wants to try a new role or add additional responsibilities to their present role, at least consider it. Great employees are continually evolving to suit the needs of their company, and sometime the employee knows about a company’s needs sooner than their management does.
Or Help Them Recognize Their Hidden Superpowers
Sometimes, people don’t even know they are good at something. This added confidence is not just a superficial benefit: it may totally transform their life and career. This doesn’t just apply to the professional world either: if you have a friend or family member that is good at something but doesn’t believe it due to low confidence or an excess of humility, encourage them to see that they have a talent that could benefit their life or career.
I’m Jessica Cox, and I love helping people discover or rediscover the hidden strengths and talents that allow them to defeat any difficulty that life may throw their way. If you’re interested in having me come share my inspirational story to your meeting, convention, or religious gathering, please contact me.