The ostrich employee: unconscious incompetence perpetuating the data skills gap

Our research has uncovered a peculiar phenomenon in the modern workplace, much like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, employees find themselves a victim of unconscious incompetence concerning their contribution to the data skills gap. Though employees recognise the issue, they often overlook their part in its occurrence. It's as if the problem has been spotted, yet, like the ostrich, employees remain unaware of their role in perpetuating it.

An intriguing contrast emerges as 71% of employees, despite acknowledging a skills gap, express confidence in their understanding of data, with 66% asserting their capability to analyse and extract insights from it. This paradox becomes more pronounced in larger organisations with over 1,000 employees. Simultaneously, 68% of these employees, regardless of their self-proclaimed data proficiency, advocate for increased investment in developing data skills within their organisation.

Our research sheds light on an interesting paradox regarding the data skills gap, a complex picture of self-perception versus collective reality. Employees seem to view the skills gap as a challenge that 'others' face, often failing to recognise their own limitations. Leaders, however, acknowledge a more extensive landscape, understanding that the skills gap is more significant than what their team members perceive. In recognising this greater need, leaders must proactively address and bridge the skills gap. It is irresponsible to wait for employees to identify and accept their skill limitations independently; leading to organisational failure. Leaders must foster a shared understanding of the true size of the skills gap, helping employees to recognise it's not just an 'other' problem but also their own. By doing so and promoting skills development, employees will be encouraged to work collaboratively to bridge this gap effectively. This transparent, leadership-driven approach towards skills development is necessary to thrive in our increasingly data-driven world. Supporting these insights, the UK Government Business Data Survey 2022 evidences the importance and awareness of digital data use for UK businesses. Their findings reveal that 7 in 10 business leaders stress the need for greater data skills to help improve their business growth. The primary roadblocks preventing businesses from becoming data-driven organisations include an absence of analytical skills among employees and governance challenges. While employees recognise the skills gap within their organisations, they often fail to see themselves as part of the issue, demonstrating an overconfidence bias that indicates a lack of awareness about their limitations. Paradoxically, despite their confidence, employees demand increased investment in data skills development. The profound implications of this discrepancy require a concentrated approach to bridging the data skills gap. Organisations will look to their leaders and managers to guide these 'ostrich employees' out of the sand, helping them recognise and develop the skills required for success. This transformative journey from self-unawareness to skills development is crucial in unlocking the full potential of organisations in the data-driven era.