The conversation around professional qualifications in Nigeria has become increasingly important. Despite having numerous qualifications, professionals in the country are left wondering what tangible benefits these credentials bring. Dr. Abiola Salami, Principal Performance Strategist at CHAMP, argues that having multiple professional qualifications does not necessarily translate to better performance or value creation. He emphasizes that the true measure of a qualification lies in its ability to improve an individual's contributions and outcomes.
Nigeria has an abundance of qualified professionals with impressive CVs and LinkedIn profiles adorned with various badges, certificates, and post-nominal letters. However, Dr. Salami questions whether these qualifications are producing better decisions, leaders, organizations, customer experiences, governance, businesses, institutions, or outcomes. He stresses that a professional qualification is not the same as competence, and competence is not the same as performance.
According to Dr. Salami, professional qualifications represent learning, standards, discipline, and a commitment to professional excellence. Nevertheless, having a qualification does not guarantee that an individual will make good decisions, lead effectively, or execute tasks efficiently. He illustrates this point by citing examples of highly qualified individuals who struggle with leadership, difficult conversations, or making ethical decisions.
Dr. Salami's recent professional recognitions, including FNIM, CIPD, FCIPM, and ACIB, have deepened his understanding of various aspects of his work. Rather than viewing these qualifications as mere additions to his name, he sees them as four additions to his responsibility. He believes that more knowledge should translate to better judgment, more expertise should mean better solutions, and more professional recognition should mean greater accountability.
Dr. Salami has observed a significant gap between what professionals have been certified to know and the measurable value they consistently create through the application of that knowledge. He terms this disparity the Qualification-to-Performance Gap. This gap is concerning, as becoming a professional requires substantial investment from individuals, families, employers, and professional bodies.
The Qualification-to-Performance Gap has significant implications for society, as professionals are entrusted with considerable responsibilities. Dr. Salami argues that the return on investment in professional qualifications cannot simply be another certificate; it should be better performance. He illustrates the difference in performance using the example of two bankers with professional qualifications, one of whom prioritizes standards over expediency.
Ultimately, Dr. Salami emphasizes that professional knowledge becomes professional value through judgment. He advocates for a shift in focus from accumulating qualifications to converting knowledge into capability, capability into behavior, and behavior into execution that produces outcomes and creates value. By doing so, professionals can bridge the Qualification-to-Performance Gap and make a meaningful impact in their respective fields.
Key points
- The Qualification-to-Performance Gap highlights the disparity between what professionals know and the value they create.
- Professional qualifications should translate to better judgment, solutions, and accountability.
- The true value of professional qualifications lies in their ability to improve performance and create value.
