Critically needed decision-making skills still sorely lacking – Misco survey

Decision-making tops the list of skill gaps in today’s workforce, according to a Misco report, with 46 per cent of employers and 34 per cent of employees identifying it as the most lacking ability, closely followed by weaknesses in verbal communication and leadership.

These findings come from the Training Practices in Organisations report, conducted by The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry in collaboration with Misco, a leading consulting firm.

Most important skills

For employers, verbal communication ranks as the most important skill, cited by 66 per cent of respondents, closely followed by decision-making. However, employees place greater emphasis on decision-making, with 68 per cent identifying it as their top priority.

This shift suggests that employees are seeking more involvement in making choices and solving problems, “especially in roles that require autonomy or navigating change.”

When it comes to trainable skills, employers rank decision-making second at 44 per cent, just behind verbal communication at 46 per cent and ahead of time management at 42 per cent, a pattern that closely mirrors the skills they see as most lacking in the workforce.

Employees also place decision-making at the top of the list, with 36 per cent viewing it not only as a vital skill but also as one that can be developed through training.

Challenges in workforce

One of the key challenges highlighted in this year’s survey is a growing resistance to change, identified as a core issue in Malta’s workforce by 27 per cent of employers and 25 per cent of employees.

This is a critical metric, as overcoming resistance to change is often a prerequisite for tackling other organisational issues.

“People need to understand the ‘why’ to engage with the ‘how’,” the report highlighted.

Lack of internal expertise was identified as the leading factor contributing to this issue, cited by 15 per cent of employers and 11 per cent of employees. Another notable finding is resistance from management, highlighted by 7 per cent of both employers and employees.

In conclusion

The data from the misco report underscores a clear need for enhanced decision-making skills within Malta’s workforce. Addressing these skill gaps is further complicated by a rising resistance to change, rooted in a lack of internal expertise and

To foster a more adaptable and skilled workforce, organisations must not only invest in targeted training but also actively engage employees in the rationale behind change initiatives, ensuring both the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ are clearly communicated and embraced.