This is the eighth in a ten-part series on Skills-based talent.
Today’s blog explores the implications and challenges of implementing a skills-based talent strategy on Compensation, Rewards, and Leadership Development.
Skills-based Compensation
Skills-based pay structures are a type of compensation system in which employees are rewarded and compensated based on their skills, knowledge, and competencies, rather than on their job title or tenure. Few companies have implemented comprehensive skills-based pay strategies across their entire enterprise. However, elements of skills-based compensation may exist in a variety of formats within pockets of the organization.
Implications of Skills-based pay
- Skill-Based Pay, Pay Bands, or Bonuses: Compensation may be linked to an employee’s level of skill proficiency or degree that they actively engage in continuous learning activities. As employees gain and demonstrate mastery in specific skills, they may receive higher compensation, reflecting their increased value to the organization. The organization may create pay bands or salary ranges based on different skill levels or competencies. Alternatively, bonuses and incentives can be tied to skill acquisition and utilization. In some cases, advancement to certain job levels or pay tiers may be dependent on achieving certain skills-based certifications.
- Skills Premiums: Employees with rare or high-demand skills may receive skill premiums or bonuses for possessing expertise that is critical to the organization’s success. The value of such skills may be driven by the market for such skills in an open talent market.
- Skills-Related Benefits: The organization may offer additional benefits or perks related to skill development, such as sponsoring relevant courses, providing access to specialized training resources, or covering certification costs.
- Project-Based or Task-Based Pay: In some cases, workers can be paid based on the specific tasks or projects they complete, with the compensation level determined by the complexity and the skills required for each task. Such might be the case when contractors secure projects or tasks in a talent marketplace. The contractor’s rate of pay may be determined by the complexity, supply, or market value of the task or skill being performed.
- Market Value Adjustments: Compensation and rewards are regularly reviewed to align with market rates for specific skills. This ensures that employees are fairly compensated relative to the broader job market.
Challenges of Skills-based pay
Implementing skills-based pay structures can skills-based pay can be complex and require careful planning and evaluation. It can create some unique challenges if not administered properly.
- Skills-based Pay Valuation: Determining how to value different skills in a way that is market-driven and fair, but also in a scalable and executable fashion that supports both business operations and talent management.
- Transparency: Skills-based pay can provide greater transparency in compensation decisions, making it clear to employees why they are being paid a certain rate and what they need to do to earn more
- Skill Upgradation Costs: Implementing skills-based compensation may require providing training and development opportunities to employees to acquire new skills or improve existing ones. These costs can add up, particularly if the organization has a large workforce or if the skills needed are rapidly changing due to technological advancements.
- Pay Equality and Fairness: There is a risk that some employees may feel undervalued or unfairly compensated if they possess skills that are not explicitly rewarded within the skills-based pay structure. Ensuring pay equity and fairness can be challenging when skills are diverse and continuously evolving.
- Performance & Career Management: Performance feedback may become more frequent and granular (skills-focused). At the same time, traditional supervisory relationships and career mentorship may become decentralized as market forces replace traditional hierarchical ownership of resources. New structures for mentorship may need to be developed.
- Resistance to Change: Introducing a skills-based compensation system is a big change and requires buy-in from employees and management. Resistance to change from both parties can hinder successful implementation.
Skills-based Leadership Development
Developing skills-based leadership development programs are not, in principle, different from other forms of learning and development. However, upskilling and reskilling programs tend to focus on more granular skills and often employ more bit-sized and on-demand learning techniques, whereas leadership development programs more often tend to be competency-based and experience-driven. Leadership programs often emphasize skills like strategic thinking, decision-making, communication, conflict resolution, or emotional intelligence – and are more likely to include developmental staffing; like rotational, stretch or shadow assignments, or development through strategic relationships like coaching, mentoring, or apprenticeship programs.
Implications of Skills-based Leadership Development
- Competency-Based Leadership Frameworks: Leadership Development program often rely on competency-based leadership frameworks that outline the specific skills, behaviors, and attributes required for effective leadership at different levels. These frameworks often serve as a foundation for leadership development programs, evaluation, and succession planning.
- Leadership Development Pipelines: Organizations often invest in leadership skills at all levels to ensure a strong talent pipeline of current and future leaders, ensuring they maintain relevant skills and adapt to changing business demands.
- Talent Reviews/Succession Planning: Skills-based leadership potential is continuously assessed based on demonstrated skills and competencies rather than just past experiences or job titles. Regular talent reviews and assessments help identify individuals with strong leadership skills, regardless of their current roles. This informs succession planning decisions and ensures a steady pipeline of qualified candidates. Succession plans are regularly adjusted based on the organization’s evolving needs and skill requirements.
- Development Pathways for Succession Candidates: Succession candidates are provided with clear development pathways that include targeted skill development, stretch assignments, and leadership experiences to prepare them for higher-level roles. Internal talent mobility is promoted for leadership positions, allowing skilled individuals from within the organization to advance to higher levels, fostering loyalty and employee growth.
- Mentorship and Coaching: A skills-based organization emphasizes mentorship and coaching to support the development of leadership skills. Experienced leaders’ mentor and guide potential successors, helping them grow and prepare for future leadership roles.
- Talent Pool Diversification: A skills-based approach to leadership development and succession planning encourages diversification of the leadership talent pool. The organization considers candidates from various backgrounds and disciplines, promoting a diverse and inclusive leadership team.
Challenges of Skills-based Leadership Development
Implementing a skills-based leadership development program is likely to encounter some unique challenges.
- Identifying Relevant Skills: Developing the most relevant and essential leadership skills can be challenging. The effectiveness of the leadership development program depends on accurately identifying the skills that will have the most significant impact on leadership performance.
- Application of Skills: Simply acquiring leadership skills does not guarantee their effective application in real-world leadership situations. Leadership development requires continuous reinforcement and practice. Applying skills in complex and dynamic organizational contexts can be challenging and requires additional support beyond just skills training to foster long-term leadership growth and sustainability.
- Developing Skills vs. Leadership Behaviors: Developing skills is about acquiring expertise and knowledge in a specific area, while leadership behaviors are about demonstrating qualities and actions that inspire and guide others. Ideally, effective leaders possess a combination of both strong skills and leadership behaviors, enabling them to lead their teams or organizations to success.
- Cultural Change: Identifying and developing leaders based on demonstrated skills and competencies rather than just past experience or job titles can significantly change a critical group. Investing time and effort in communicating with key stakeholders and leaders to bring them along the skills journey can be key, as well as developing measurable outcomes to demonstrate value.
Stay tuned for our next blog on the Implications of a Skills-based Talent Strategy – on Workforce Planning.
