Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business: Underutilized Talent
By: Sharee Murphy, MBA (c)
Hiring the right people is only half the equation. The other half? Making sure they’re actually using their full skill set. Underutilized talent is like buying a high-performance car and only driving it in first gear.
Why Underutilized Talent Costs Money
If employees are stuck doing tasks far below their capability, you’re paying premium rates for entry-level output. Morale also drops when people feel their abilities aren’t being used.
Real-Life Example: The Marketing Pro Stuck in Admin Work
A small business hired a skilled marketer but had them spend most of their time answering phones and sorting files. Campaigns were delayed, opportunities were missed, and eventually the employee left — taking their expertise with them.
The Principle: Match Strengths to Roles
People thrive when their daily work uses their strongest skills. You’ll get better results, faster output, and higher retention.
Quick Audit You Can Run Today
Review each team member’s role vs. their skill set.
Delegate low-skill tasks to the appropriate level.
Create opportunities for growth and skill use.
Schedule quarterly check-ins to realign roles.
Takeaway
Your people are your most valuable asset — make sure you’re getting (and giving) the full value of their talent.
***This article is part of our Hidden Profit Killer series — uncovering the subtle ways businesses lose money and how to stop it.***
Read the rest of the series:
Unclear Roles & Expectations
Inefficient Processes
Poor Communication
Underutilized Talent
Poor Inventory Management
Scope Creep
Ignoring Data
