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Addressing Skill Gaps
Published on
October 14, 2025
Identifying skill gaps
Skill gaps often reveal themselves through various signals. These include hard skills, such as technical expertise, that may lag behind soft skills, like communication, that hinder collaboration. Misalignments with team members can also indicate areas for improvement. Recurring challenges during conversations in “Moments that Matter” (a term coined by Josephine Wong co-founder of Make Meaningful Work) provide valuable indicators and enablers for improvement opportunities. Awareness begins with listening to signals, reflecting on their root causes and being open to learning from others towards honestly taking responsibility for actionable improvement.
Challenges in accepting skill gaps
Admitting skill gaps can be difficult due to fear of judgment, ego or the discomfort of vulnerability. Many people struggle with the idea that acknowledging gaps might undermine their credibility. This resistance often stems from educational and societal conditioning from school, where success is equated with having all the answers. Additionally, environments that prioritise perfection over growth can make it harder to admit gaps.
Turning awareness into action
To make acceptance easier, cultivate a mindset that embraces learning and improvement. Seek consistent feedback from people who can provide constructive insights. Once gaps are identified, break them into manageable steps and set clear goals for improvement. Most importantly, take consistent action and enjoy the learning and development along the way to maintain motivation. Make Meaningful Culture, where iterative learning is encouraged, can also help people feel supported as they work on their skill gaps.
Improvement through action
Recognising, accepting and addressing skill gaps is an improvement practice. By listening to the signals, overcoming the challenges of acceptance and taking deliberate action, we can Make Meaningful Work.
References
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