A Step-by-Step Framework for Understanding Skills and using them for Career Growth

You know what separates the career superstars from the rest? 

It's not their technical (or hard) skills or years of experience. Nope, it's all about understanding and developing the right competencies (and how to do it).

This article is inspired by my recent 2h workshop, delivered at the 42 School, here in Berlin, which made me realise (again) how little support people get in understanding themselves, their skills, their … power.

In my 14 years as a talent acquisition professional, I've witnessed countless career journeys - some thriving, others stagnating and today, I'm sharing information from 2 game-changing tools from Korn Ferry that can help you unlock your career potential: the Competency Connections Table and the Developmental Difficulty Matrix.

The Competency Connections Table - Skills Understanding

First, let's look at the "Competency Connections Table" - a roadmap that reveals how various skills interconnect and influence each other. It shows you how different skills are interconnected.

Why it matters: 

• Showcase how your strengths in one area can fuel growth in others 

• Pinpoint targeted skills and create a ripple effect on your career 

• Helps you navigate the sometimes-messy world of professional development

For example, Innovation Management, a crucial competency for professionals (ahem, AI…you feel me?). 

The table reveals that if you're skilled at Business Acumen but struggle with Innovation Management, developing your Creativity, Perspective, and Strategic Agility can help bridge that gap. 

Similarly, if you excel at Functional Technical Skills but find Innovation Management challenging, focusing on Creativity can unlock new opportunities.

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Real talk: I'm a multi-passionate person with skills that might seem unrelated at first. I paint, I design, I win innovation contests, AND I'm good at critical thinking, meaning that I can break down complex problems and think “efficiency first”. So, it does not have to be all creative or all “business”, does it. I bet you have similar experiences.

And, as I keep adding skills (skills stacking), I observed this: 

• diverse skills are my unique advantage,

• embracing unique skills and passions can be the key to a fulfilling career, 

• individual contributors can make a huge impact, the world where only "managers" could lead is long gone.

  
  

(and if you are in a company where this does not hold true, maybe re-evaluate that employer 😎 sorry, not sorry)

The Developmental Difficulty Matrix - Skills Growth

Okay, so - skills are connected. But what about the effort it takes to actually improve them? That's where the “Developmental Difficulty Matrix” comes in.

Here's how it works: 

• Categorises skills based on difficulty level and average skill proficiency.

• It flags the "Hardest" skills to develop (like Conflict Management).

• It encourages a patient, persistent approach to developing more challenging competencies.

  
  

It classifies skills into categories such as "Hardest," "Harder," "Moderate," "Easier," and "Easiest" based on the average level of difficulty people face when trying to improve them.

For example, Conflict Management is classified as one of the "Hardest" skills to develop, with a "Low" average skill rating. This means that while it may be challenging to improve, investing time and energy into this area can set you apart as a leader. Because not many people have it. (I swear by this!!! The amount of senior people I worked with who would rather fire or move someone than address conflicts, is saddening).

The matrix encourages us to approach these "Hardest" skills with patience and persistence, recognising that growth is a long-term journey. 

It also helps us set realistic expectations and create targeted development plans that focus on the skills that will have the greatest impact on our careers.

By working with a "Developmental Difficulty Matrix", you can prioritise your skill development efforts.

Homework: putting this into practice

Now that you know a bit about the "Competency Connections Table" and the "Developmental Difficulty Matrix", let’s try and put this knowledge into practice. 

Here are some actionable steps you can take to start developing the skills and competencies that will drive your career growth:

1. Target connecting skills to bridge gaps: identify the skills that are most closely connected to your desired competencies and focus on developing those first. Write-Them-Down!

2. Pinpoint skills that can elevate you in multiple areas: look for skills that are highly transferable and can be applied across different roles and industries. These are the skills that will give you the most bang for your buck in terms of development.

3. Embrace discomfort: don't shy away from the skills that are classified as "Hardest" or "Harder" to develop. 

4. Commit to continuous learning: make learning a daily habit and prioritise your skill development. Set aside dedicated time each week to focus on acquiring new knowledge and practicing new skills.

5. Actively seek feedback and development opportunities: don't wait for feedback and opportunities to come to you. Proactively seek out constructive criticism, mentorship, and stretch assignments that will help you grow and develop.

6. Invest in your growth for long-term career success: don't get discouraged by short-term setbacks or challenges. Stay focused on your goals and keep putting in the work.

7. Get tailored guidance: consider working with a career coach or mentor who can provide personalised guidance and support as you navigate your career journey. 

Here is an example to illustrate this process 

Developing Innovation Management Skills 

• Desired competency: Innovation Management 

• Connecting skills: Creativity, Perspective, Strategic Agility

Your DIY Career Growth Playbook

Let me try and make it more of a "how to guide":

Step 1: 

• Reflect on Your Strengths and Growth Areas ("what skills am I good at, what do I need to improve?")

• List your current skills, knowledge, and abilities 

• Identify areas where you excel and areas where you'd like to improve 

• Consider seeking feedback from colleagues, managers, or mentors to gain a well-rounded perspective

Step 2: 

• Define your Career Goals 

• Research the skills and competencies that are most valuable in your target industry or position

• Prioritise the competencies that align with your goals and values

Step 3: 

• Analyse how your current strengths can support the development of your desired competencies

• Identify transferable skills that can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be 

• Look for opportunities to apply your existing skills in new contexts.

Example: from Software Engineer to Leader

Let's say you're a software engineer looking to move into a leadership role. You might identify the following competencies as crucial for success: Communication, Strategic thinking, Team management, Emotional intelligence.

To develop these competencies, you could: 

• Leverage your technical expertise to communicate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders, enhancing your communication skills 

• Apply your problem-solving abilities to analyse business challenges and propose strategic solutions > strategic thinking 

• Mentor junior team members, honing your team management and leadership skills 

• Practice active listening and empathy in your interactions, strengthening your emotional intelligence.

Boom!

(The visual is for inspiration only, as it is from their other book, around Leadership)

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Developing the competencies you need to succeed doesn't require access to a specific book or resource. By reflecting on your strengths, skills, defining your goals, and creating a targeted action plan, you can work through it yourself. Requires some thinking time though.

The key takeaways from this article are:

1. Understanding the interconnectedness of skills and competencies is crucial for career growth and success.

2. The "Competency Connections Table" and the "Developmental Difficulty Matrix" are powerful tools that can help you identify and prioritise the skills you need to develop. BUT - you can develop your own if you don't have the book.

3. Embracing discomfort, committing to continuous learning, and seeking feedback and guidance are essential for accelerating your skill development and career growth.

4. Following a step-by-step framework and creating your own personalised career growth playbook, is rather essential.

Start putting this into practice today and take ownership of your career trajectory. It is fine if the journey won't be easy, but the rewards of investing in your own growth and development are well worth the effort.

And if you need a little extra help along the way, you know where to find me.

Till next time folks,

Andreea