Employers used to be hyperfocused on the official role of employees instead of the skills and ideas they brought to the table, which determined the company’s internal communication and decision-making process. The role of an employee has always dictated the way individual members of any company relate what they do to the overall organizational structure. However, most companies’ organizational structure has shifted over time as the traditional hierarchical team model evolves.

It has become much more standard for companies to implement and nurture the “flat” organizational structure, which promotes a more collaborative approach to communication, problem-solving, and reporting. The change in approach also modified the way company issues and business challenges are viewed. The flatter organizational structure altered the way management perceived the contributions of individual team members.

Rather than just management being responsible for addressing company challenges, with this more collaborative structure, employees can also use their skills to solve business issues. This change from a role- to skills-based approach will continue to further drive success and innovation. Employees are better positioned to capitalize on future career opportunities and goals if companies continue to focus on skills development, rather than specific role development. This new approach is likely to be a top trend through 2022.