Skill vs knowledge in the workplace

In a world where you can Google anything, does knowledge still matter? Yes! There’s a big conversation happening right now about hiring for skills and using skills to assign the right training and projects. 

But skills without knowledge = capability without action. 

The knowledge-skill paradox plagues many employers, but it’s actually not that complicated when you break it down.

Skill vs knowledge—an overview 

The main difference between skill and knowledge is that knowledge is theoretical (I can know this) while skill is practical (I can do this). But there’s more to it than that. 

Knowledge refers to information that can be imparted or transferred from one person to another, while skill requires applying knowledge effectively. 

Knowledge can sometimes be transferred quickly. For instance, if someone tells you that the product code for aubergine is 4050, you might retain that knowledge for years without being reminded. But skill generally requires practice and refinement. 

That skill might be the culmination of acquired knowledge (e.g. developing a theoretical understanding of communication principles to sharpen your communication skills). Still, you’re not going to achieve skills mastery until you work at it and become proficient. You can memorise the semantics of how to build a house, but that doesn’t make you a master builder.

Examples of knowledge vs skill 

Skills and knowledge are two sides of a coin. We understand that the difference comes from theoretical or practical understanding, but what does that look like? 

Here’s an example: An employee has excellent sales skills. They’re good at building relationships and engaging people in conversation and even know how to build a successful sales strategy. But even if the salesperson’s skill is strong, they still need to know about the product they’re selling. 

Product knowledge isn’t a skill; it’s a moving target. Suppose the salesperson is trying to sell a complex medical device to a doctor, but they must constantly refer to the documentation to answer basic product questions. In that case, the doctor’s confidence in the item and the seller will plummet. 

So even if a team member possesses a specific skill, they can only act on that skill if they have corresponding knowledge. For instance, a grocery worker may be extremely skilled with a (10-key) numeric keypad. She can input product codes in the blink of an eye without even looking. And because her experience and grocery LMS training have helped her to memorise the most common product codes, she can process fresh produce more quickly than any of her fellow employees.

But what if a customer comes to the register with a large volume of speciality produce (like lemongrass, galangal and Thai basil) that she doesn’t handle as often? Now the transaction is slower because she has to look up products manually. Knowledge of product codes contributes to the skill of being able to execute an efficient transaction.

Skill vs knowledge in hiring 

Skills and knowledge are essential, and company hiring should account for both. Some organisations are shifting their talent strategies away from job descriptions and instead stressing skill requirements. Whether or not that will prove practical in the long run, the right skills are critical—and skills require knowledge.

Employers should clarify not just the skill requirements of a job, but also the knowledge requirements that will activate those skills—even if the knowledge is to be learned on the job. Finding people with deep knowledge is less common, so hiring for skill (which is harder and takes longer to build) and then imparting knowledge in training while continuing to develop both makes sense.

For instance, if you’re hiring call centre representatives for a home security company, you might specify a need for skills like organisation, empathy and communication, but you should also specify the knowledge that will be required—like technical knowledge of home security and camera installation as well as specific product features. 

Even if the prospective employee doesn’t possess this knowledge at the outset, they should know what to expect. Suppose a person has previous experience with home security installation or electrical work. In that case, they might be more able to quickly absorb this type of knowledge than the average call centre applicant.

How to impart knowledge and skill in training 

Recent workplace trends emphasise skill-building as a means of encouraging engagement and retention, but while skill-building is important, it’s not the whole story. Employers should prioritise both knowledge and skill when training team members. Determine the knowledge that must be imparted to encourage the skills you need—or help employees utilise their existing skills more effectively. 

Furthermore, a new employee might be required to complete customer service training modules (skills) and security system comparison modules (knowledge). Their basic understanding of the products and heightened communication skills will equip them with everything they need to assist customers seeking home security solutions. 

• Organisations should clarify the knowledge and skill requirements for each role. Clarify what knowledge must be retained vs what can be researched on the job. Clarify skill proficiency requirements. Determine how skills will be measured or validated.

• The best way to close knowledge gaps and encourage new skills is to bring the concepts together to help people learn how to apply their knowledge and skill in practice. It’s like learning how to play golf. You don’t memorise the ins and outs of clubs, grass and wind resistance and then practice swinging a club. You develop knowledge and skill together over time to reinforce them through the application.

• Ensure training covers knowledge and skill in ways that promote application to the desired level. Make sure that each course has a singular focus or learning objective—e.g. active listening, overcoming customer objections, common product codes, etc. Employees will develop skills and acquire knowledge more effectively when the learning is focused.

• Emphasise short-form training (micro-learning) that’s continuous and emphasises bite-sized sessions. For instance, Axonify uses microlearning principles to deliver training lessons in as little as 3 to 5 minutes per shift. Learning is ongoing, so even if you have a lot of skills and knowledge to impart, you can promote constant growth and improvement with minimal time investment. And because the information is reinforced via spaced repetition, employees remember what they learn. Best of all, the learning experience is personalised for each employee.

• Measure skills, knowledge and performance improvement over time. Axonify allows you to access a complete knowledge profile for each trainee (which shows you baseline knowledge and current knowledge). You can also track employee skills via behaviour metrics and earned certifications. If an employee struggles in a particular area, provide any necessary coaching or assistance. 

Don’t make the all-too-common mistake of emphasising skill at the expense of knowledge. Both principles are essential, and neither should be neglected. When you prioritise theoretical concepts together with practical proficiency, it will make a difference in your team’s performance.