10 hidden skills your employees have (and how to unlock them)

Hidden skills can add surprising value to your organization, but only if leaders know how to uncover and nurture them. From storytelling and multilingual abilities to AI fluency and conflict resolution, many employees already have talents that can strengthen collaboration, innovation, customer relationships and change readiness.

This is increasingly urgent for People and L&D leaders: LinkedIn Learning’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report found that 49% of learning and talent development professionals say executives are concerned employees do not have the right skills to execute business strategy.

1. Storytelling

Many employees have a natural gift for storytelling but rarely use it in the workplace.

What storytelling is: The ability to craft and share narratives that captivate, inspire and inform. Storytelling blends creativity and emotional intelligence to connect with audiences.

Why storytelling skills matter: Whether pitching an idea, explaining a strategy or leading through change, storytelling creates connection and drives impact.

How to unlock storytelling skills:

• Host workshops on storytelling techniques, like structuring a compelling narrative or connecting through emotional storytelling.
• Start a “story of the week” tradition where employees share personal or professional wins.
• Invite guest speakers to share how storytelling has shaped their success.

2. Multilingual abilities

You may have many team members who speak multiple languages, offering untapped potential for cross-cultural communication, customer relationships and expansion.

What multilingual abilities are: Proficiency in more than one language, which includes speaking, reading or writing fluently.

Why multilingual abilities matter: Language skills enhance communication with diverse clients and teams.

How to unlock multilingual abilities:

• Survey employees to discover who speaks additional languages.
• Create roles like “language ambassadors” to support global projects or improve cultural inclusion efforts.
• Offer professional development opportunities like translation training, localization practice or certifications.

3. Improv + quick thinking

Some employees naturally shine in high-pressure moments, adapting quickly to unexpected changes.

What improv + quick thinking is: The ability to think on their feet and respond effectively in real time without preparation.

Why improv + quick thinking matters: Improvisation and quick thinking help employees confidently handle high-pressure situations, shifting priorities and new tools.

How to unlock improv + quick thinking:

• Schedule training and improv classes to teach flexibility, creativity and communication under pressure.
• Incorporate role-playing exercises into meetings or training sessions to practice quick decision-making.
• Recognize and reward employees who consistently excel in handling unexpected challenges.

4. Creative problem-solving

Some employees often see solutions others overlook, but they may not feel empowered to share their ideas.

What creative problem-solving is: Thinking beyond the obvious to develop innovative, practical solutions to complex challenges.

Why creative problem-solving matters: Employees with a knack for innovative solutions can reshape processes, solve tough challenges and help teams adapt when old playbooks stop working.

How to unlock creative problem-solving:

• Facilitate brainstorming sessions that encourage “wild ideas” without judgment.
• Train employees in design thinking or lateral thinking methodologies.
• Organize internal innovation competitions where employees propose solutions to real business problems.

5. Tech fluency beyond their roles

Employees outside your IT department might have technical talents that could transform workflows.

What tech fluency is: Knowledge or expertise in technical skills outside an employee’s primary job function, such as coding, data analysis, automation or leveraging tools like artificial intelligence (AI).

Why tech fluency matters: Your non-IT staff may have surprising expertise in coding, data visualization or even AI-powered tools. These skills can drive efficiency, improve decision-making and foster team innovation. In AI transformation, the best results often come when employees understand both the tools and the human workflows those tools are meant to improve.

How to unlock tech fluency:

• Host tech talent showcases where employees demo their skills or present creative solutions.
• Invite employees to share practical AI prompts, automation ideas or data dashboards that help their teams work better.
• Offer tech-specific microlearning modules on AI platforms, data dashboards or low-code development tools.

6. Cross-cultural knowledge

Your employees’ cultural backgrounds hold invaluable insights for global markets and internal inclusion efforts.

What cross-cultural knowledge is: Insights and understanding different cultures, norms and practices based on personal experience or heritage.

Why cross-cultural knowledge matters: Employees with rich cultural insights can enhance your approach to global markets, customer relationships or inclusion strategies.

How to unlock cross-cultural knowledge:

• Create a platform for employees to share cultural traditions, practices and business norms.
• Organize cultural awareness events or learning sessions.
• Invite employees to advise on international business strategies or help with localization efforts.

7. Mentorship potential

Some employees naturally enjoy guiding and empowering others, but sometimes they need encouragement to step into mentorship roles.

What mentorship potential is: A natural ability to guide, coach and support others in their personal or professional development.

Why mentorship potential matters: Some employees are natural leaders who thrive by empowering others. Mentorship also helps knowledge move across teams, which is especially important when roles, tools and expectations are changing quickly.

How to unlock mentorship potential:

• Pair employees with mentees through a formal mentorship program.
• Offer mentorship training to refine coaching and leadership skills.
• Create peer mentoring opportunities for employees at similar levels.

8. Visual communication

Some employees excel at transforming complex ideas into clear, engaging visuals.

What visual communication skills are: The ability to use visuals like graphics, illustrations or presentations to convey ideas clearly and creatively.

Why visual communication skills matter: Great visuals help simplify complex ideas and captivate audiences. They also make new processes, data and change initiatives easier to understand.

How to unlock visual communication skills:

• Encourage employees with design talent to lead visual storytelling sessions.
• Invest in design tools or training sessions for interested employees.
• Host “best visual presentation” contests to celebrate strong visual communicators.

9. Conflict resolution

Some team members are natural peacemakers, resolving tension before it escalates.

What conflict resolution is: The ability to mediate disagreements and help people find common ground in difficult situations.

Why conflict resolution skills matter: Employees who can defuse tension and mediate conflicts keep teams running smoothly. During periods of transformation, these skills help people work through uncertainty instead of getting stuck in it.

How to unlock conflict resolution skills:

• Offer mediation training to equip employees with conflict resolution techniques.
• Highlight and reward employees who successfully mediate team disputes.
• Incorporate role-playing exercises into team-building activities to practice resolving conflicts.

10. Public speaking

Many employees have the potential to be great speakers but lack the confidence or platform to practice.

What public speaking skills are: The art of confidently delivering speeches or presentations to inform, persuade or inspire an audience.

Why public speaking skills matter: Strong speakers are invaluable for presentations, leadership and event representation.

How to unlock public speaking skills:

• Host “lunch and learn” events where employees present on topics they’re passionate about.
• Provide professional development workshops focused on public speaking skills.
• Organize internal speaking challenges or storytelling events to build confidence.

Start unlocking foundational skills today

These hidden talents are closer than you think. They’re already on your team. By creating a workplace culture that values curiosity, growth and creativity, you’ll empower your employees to show off their superpowers in ways that strengthen your organization.

For CHROs, CPOs and Heads of L&D, the opportunity is bigger than filling skills gaps. When you make employee skills visible, you create a stronger foundation for leadership development, AI enablement and every transformation that depends on people changing how work gets done.

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