This is a great question. I do believe that you can train someone the skill but it is difficult to coach the will.
In all my previous businesses I used DISC profiling to understand the individuals behaviour traits and then assessed their behaviours at work, and in life, during my interviews.
I tool that I recommend using and understanding for this purpose is the “Skill vs. Will Matrix”.
This is a tool that helps you understand how to best support and motivate individuals based on their skill level and willingness to perform a task. In my opinion by understanding the matrix it also helps you hire.
It’s a 2×2 grid that categorises individuals into four quadrants depending on their skill and their will being high or low.
Here’s a breakdown of the four quadrants:
- High Skill/High Will: Individuals in this quadrant are both capable and motivated. They are often self-directed and require minimal supervision. Those to hire!
- High Skill/Low Will: These individuals possess the skills but lack the motivation to apply them. This could be due to factors like boredom, lack of recognition, or feeling disconnected from the task. Could hire if you believe the ‘will’ can change.
- Low Skill/High Will: These individuals are eager to learn and contribute but lack the necessary skills or experience. They need guidance and training to develop their abilities. If they have the ability to learn, then good potential to hire.
- Low Skill/Low Will: Individuals in this quadrant require the most support as they lack both the skills and the motivation to perform the task. Don’t hire unless you believe you have the magic to change this.
What is common to see is that a new starter joins you with High Will but not quite the skills desired for the role, even if that’s simply doing the things the way you systemise it in your business. With training and support, then then uplift their skill to be in the High Skill / High Will quadrant. Over time without ongoing personal development, communication and attention, then the majority of people tend to slip bacl on the ‘will’ line.
How to use the matrix:
- Assess: Evaluate an individual’s skill level and their willingness to perform a specific task.
- Identify: Determine which quadrant the individual falls into.
- Adapt: Understand what you need to do to best support the individual based on their quadrant.
Example:
- For someone with High Skill/Low Will, you might try to understand their motivators, delegate challenging tasks, and provide opportunities for growth.
- For someone with Low Skill/High Will, you might focus on providing training, coaching, and clear expectations.
By understanding and utilising the Skill vs. Will Matrix, you can can tailor your approach to maximise individual performance and overall team effectiveness.
