The Skill Will Matrix is a tool used by managers, leaders, and coaches to assess and influence an employee’s performance based on two factors: their skill (competencies) and their will (intrinsic motivation).

   Skill-Will Matrix used in coaching and employee management

 
 

The Skill Will Matrix compares an employee’s willingness to perform a task (high or low) to their level of skill in relation to that task (high or low).

Skill depends on experience, self-learning, training, understanding, role perception

Will depends on attitude, desire to achieve, incentives, security, confidence.

  

 

Skill/Will Matrix

Low Skill

High Skill

High Will

Guide

Empower

Low Will

Direct

Excite

 
 

Skill is how competent a worker is at a specific task or how effective they are in their role. Skill depends on learning-by-doing, experience, training, understanding, role perception, tacit knowledge.

Will is how motivated they are to complete their task or perform their role well. Will depends on desire to achieve, incentives, security, confidence.

 		 

Employee Performance Management

Find the Right Fit for Every Employee

Laziness/Smartness Matrix