When people in organizations fail to carry out tasks to the same level of competency as others, why does that happen? The reasons can be complex, and can depend on an individual’s ability to learn.

One thing that we should consider, however, is whether we, as Management, have made correct assumptions about existing skill sets, and the degree to which they need to be enhanced to make full use of any new procedures or technologies that we introduce.

Here’s what might happen when we give a guy from the 15th Century a crash course in how to use e-mail, without considering what he’s used to doing with respect to effectively communicating, and without ensuring that he has a good understanding of its key characteristics and benefits in today’s environment.