In today’s fast-changing business environment, it is no longer just about what your employees know. What matters more is how quickly they can learn something new. Recent research from global HR advisory firm The Josh Bersin Company has found that skills velocity, the speed at which employees acquire new skills, has a greater impact on business performance than having deep expertise in a single area.
This insight is especially relevant to Maldivian businesses, many of which are navigating significant changes in digitalisation, customer expectations, and operational models. The report, which examined leading companies across six industries over a four-year period, identified that organisations able to adapt and reskill quickly were consistently outperforming their competitors. These businesses were not only more financially successful, but also recognised for high customer satisfaction, strong talent strategies, and leadership in innovation.
Rather than focusing on static skillsets, these top-performing organisations build cultures that encourage ongoing learning and flexibility. In such environments, employees are expected to grow beyond the limits of their original job descriptions and respond quickly to new tools, technologies, and business challenges. Today, success is tied closely to an organisation’s ability to support its people in evolving constantly.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. The pace at which AI is developing means even leading industry figures cannot predict exactly what is coming next. Earlier this year, OpenAI introduced a new generation of AI agents capable of handling research, coding, and administrative work, all at a fraction of the cost of human employees. These developments are pushing businesses to rethink not only their talent strategies but also the structure of work itself.
Maldivian companies are beginning to feel these effects. In sectors such as tourism, banking, logistics, and hospitality, organisations are adopting digital tools like automated booking systems, chatbots, and fraud detection platforms powered by AI. However, many businesses in the Maldives still treat training as a one-off exercise rather than an ongoing strategy. This approach could leave them at a disadvantage.
The research also highlights the growing importance of AI in HR management itself. The most successful companies are implementing AI-powered systems to make recruitment more dynamic, personalise learning pathways, and better align employees with business needs. In these organisations, talent is not managed reactively but is continuously nurtured and developed through insights and data.
For employers in the Maldives, this means looking differently at how people learn and grow. Encouraging job rotations, short-term projects, and learning while working can help staff build new skills without interrupting their roles. It also means building a culture where curiosity, adaptability, and resilience are valued.
The advantages of this approach are clear. Companies that prioritise adaptability and learning speed are more likely to grow, retain top talent, and handle disruption effectively. For a small island economy like the Maldives that must remain connected to global shifts, this mindset can offer a real competitive edge.
The key message for Maldivian business leaders and HR professionals is straightforward. While deep expertise remains useful, it is no longer enough on its own. True success lies in creating a workplace where employees are empowered to learn and adapt rapidly. In a world where change is the only constant, it is not the strongest or the smartest who thrive, but those who can learn the fastest.
