he most valuable person in a company is the jack of all trades.
Multi-skilling has been proven to be beneficial for both the employee and employer. It makes sense! The employees who are adaptable and willing to learn more than what their job asks them to, are more likely to succeed than those who, well… aren’t.
Nowadays, there has been a shift in the workforce mindset in the way we see and approach our roles. It’s no longer about just clocking in and doing our job, and that’s it. To really succeed and advance in our careers, we must go above and beyond. For this reason, we must find ways to bring value to other functions beyond our immediate responsibilities. Whether it is helping a colleague or taking on new projects beyond your usual daily tasks.
And this is where multi-skilling becomes the key to success!
Multi-skilled employees are individuals with more sets of skills than the ones they were originally hired for, allowing them to work in multiple departments or areas. Companies increasingly desire such employees as they are flexible, adaptable, and responsive to our business needs.
In fact, this shift towards hiring multi-talented employees reflects the modern work environment. Employers like to create teams where employees can and want to learn from each other. This way, they can provide them with opportunities to learn and maybe move into departments that are not quite similar to what they were initially hired for. In fact, according to a McKinsey research:
“A majority of respondents (58 percent) say that closing skill gaps in their companies’ workforces has become a higher priority since the pandemic began.”
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Be the Jack of All Trades and Master of One.
There’s no denying that having multiple sets of skills can help you advance in your career. Not only do you have multiple career options, but you will also see that all your knowledge will be acknowledged in any job you do. But as you develop more than just one skill, you become a valuable asset to your workplace. In fact, a polyvalent employee is seven times more likely to be promoted to a higher role. Plus, who knows? You might also be paid a lot more.
Even more so, if you know how to manage your time – your productivity and efficiency will skyrocket. Because you possess all the skills you need, you don’t need to depend on others to help you. This independence allows you to handle all your tasks on your own, improving overall efficiency.
Let’s face it – this benefit is bilateral. While we grow as individuals – both professionally and personally, for organizations, multi-talented employees represent an increase in productivity by 8%. And it’s all thanks to our ability to be responsive, adaptable, and quick to resolve any issue that might arise.
The benefits of multi-skilling for employees:
- Increased job opportunities and collaboration
- Increased job security and marketability
- Increased productivity and efficiency
- Professional development
- Become an expert and a valuable asset
- Potential for higher and better pay
- Enhanced confidence and self-esteem
The benefits of multi-skilling for an organization:
- Creating a dream team of talented people
- Faster and high-quality deliverables, increasing productivity
- Reduced dependency on external resources
- Prevent presenteeism in case of leave or sickness
- Greater adaptability to ever-changing business and customer needs.
Remember! It’s okay if you’re a UI/UX designer looking to improve your marketing skills. Or if you’re a doctor who wants to become a writer. Or even an engineer looking to enter the sales world.
The sky is your limit! You have so many possibilities to grow and broaden your wings!
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