Balance employee passions with capability for optimal growth and performance
The Career Aspirations / Skill & Will Matrix within KnowHow helps organisations understand what motivates employees (Will) and what they are capable of delivering (Skill) – and crucially, how the alignment both drives sustainable performance, engagement and development.
By visualising employee interests alongside their skills and competencies, organisations gain actionable insight into where individuals are best positioned to grow, contribute, and succeed.
Employee Interests (Will)
Unlock Employee Motivation Through Personal Interests
Employee interests reflect the personal passions, preferences, and motivations that influence engagement and satisfaction at work. When people are working in areas that align with what they enjoy and value, they are more likely to be motivated, creative, and committed.
Interests are a powerful driver of:
- Engagement and discretionary effort
- Creativity and inovation
- Long-term retention and job satisfaction
Employee Capabilities (Skill)
Assess and Enhance Skills for Effective Performance
Capabilities represent the skills, experience, and competencies an employee brings to their role. These determine an individual’s ability to perform tasks effectively and meet role expectations.
Capabilities are shaped by:
- Technical and behavioural skills
- Experience and role exposure
- Training, learning, and development
The Power of Alignment
Optimal performance occurs when interests and capabilities are aligned.
- High Will + High Skill: Employees are engaged, effective, and ready for growth or increased responsibility
- High Will + Low Skill: Strong motivation exists, highlighting opportunities for targeted development and upskilling
- Low Will + High Skill: Capability is present, but disengagement risk may exist – often signalling a need for a role realignment or career conversations
- Low Will + Low Skill: Indicates the need for intervention, coaching, or role reconsideration.
When interests and capabilities are misaligned, it can lead to disengagement, underperformance, or stalled development. The Skill & Will Matrix provides clarity to address these risks proactively.
Turning Insight into Action
Gain Clear Insights on Employee Aspirations and Capabilities
The Career Aspirations / SKill & Will Matrix enables organisations to:
- Identify development and upskilling opportunities
- Support meaningful career and performance conversations
- Align employees to roles, projects, and learning pathways that fit both motivation and capability
- Improve workforce engagement, retention, and productivity.
By Balancing what employees want to do with what they can do, organisations create development strategies that support individual growth while delivering measurable organisational impact.
Skill and Will Matrix
The Skill & Will Matrix is a framework that helps managers assess employees’ performance potential by evaluating both their capabilities (skill) and their motivation or drive (will). By balancing both skill and will, organisations can more effectively engage and develop their workforce, ensuring that individual strengths and aspirations align with organisational goals.
Low Interest
Medium Capability
High Interest
Medium Capability
Capability
Medium Interest
Low Capability
High Interest
Low Capability
Interest
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Skill & Will Matrix, and how does it help in employee development?
The Skill & Will Matrix is a framework that evaluates employees’ capabilities (skills) and motivation (will). It helps managers identify areas for growth and align employee strengths with organizational goals to enhance performance and engagement.
How can managers assess employee interests and align them with career goals?
Managers can use tools like the Skill & Will Matrix, one-on-one discussions, and performance reviews to understand employee interests. This helps in aligning personal passions with career opportunities for mutual growth.
