What does the Skill/Will Matrix primarily help to identify?

The Skill/Will Matrix is a valuable tool used in change management to assess individuals or teams in terms of their skill levels and their motivation or willingness to perform tasks. By categorizing team members based on their skill (competence) and will (attitude), the matrix primarily helps to identify the type of coaching and support that may be necessary to foster change and improve performance.

When an individual falls into different quadrants of the matrix, it indicates whether they have high skill but low will, or vice versa, among other combinations. This identification allows leaders or managers to tailor their coaching methods accordingly—for instance, providing encouragement and motivation for those who have high skill but low will, or training and skill development for those who have high will but low skill.

This targeted approach is essential because it helps to address the specific barriers to performance and increases the likelihood of successful change implementation. The focus on identifying the necessary type of coaching reflects the matrix's utility in assessing and addressing attitudes and competencies, rather than just overarching performance, training effectiveness, or leadership needs directly.