Author Image Posted By : Michael Speyer 5 Dec

The Silent Cost of Underutilising Expertise in IT

A Call for Change

The Hidden Price of Underuse

In any business, the most valuable resource often goes under-utilised: experience. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the IT sector, where experts—technical and managerial—are frequently sidelined, even when their knowledge could propel the business forward. For individuals with decades of experience in technology and governance, seeing their expertise ignored or underused can be frustrating, especially when it has a direct impact on the organization’s success. The underutilisation of IT professionals, whether in technical tasks or leadership roles, is a silent but costly problem.

Beyond the Tech Team

Underutilisation isn’t just about the person fixing servers or writing code; it’s also about the strategic thinkers and those with years of experience in governance, management, and leadership. In an ideal world, those who have seen the evolution of technology firsthand would be trusted to lead, advise, and make critical decisions. But all too often, their expertise is overlooked, leaving them in a position where they must watch as decisions are made without their input.

Whether it’s the senior IT manager who’s been overseeing operations for over 30 years or the developer who has solved similar issues countless times, their voices can be drowned out by those who don’t understand the depth of their experience. The result? Unnecessary delays, missed opportunities, and a lack of progress in areas where the solution is already clear.

Why Does It Happen? Unpacking the Causes of Underutilisation

The reasons why experienced IT professionals are underutilised can be complex and varied. While some might argue that it’s a matter of poor management or organisational dysfunction, there are other underlying causes that can help explain this phenomenon:

  • Fear of the Expert: It’s no secret that some managers feel threatened by employees who possess more experience and knowledge. This fear can lead to micromanagement, where the expert is discouraged from offering solutions or taking ownership of tasks. Managers may inadvertently shut down innovation or avoid delegating tasks to experts because they fear losing control.
  • Lack of Trust: Trust is a critical component of any effective team. When business leaders or managers do not fully trust their IT professionals, they may hesitate to rely on them to solve problems. This lack of trust often stems from a lack of understanding of the value that experienced IT professionals bring to the table.
  • Ineffective Management: Not all managers are equipped to manage highly skilled technical professionals. Some may struggle with the complexity of technical issues and might resort to managing by process rather than empowering their team. This can result in missed opportunities for innovation and progress, as the expertise of the team members goes untapped.
  • Obliviousness to Talent: In some cases, the issue is as simple as a lack of awareness. Business leaders may not realise the depth of expertise that exists within their IT teams. They may fail to see how the right person in the right role could resolve a problem quickly and effectively, instead relying on a slower, more bureaucratic approach.
The Consequences of Ignoring Expertise

When organisations fail to harness the full potential of their experienced IT professionals, the impact is often felt on multiple levels:

  • Increased Time to Resolution: Problems take longer to solve when those who know the solutions are sidelined. Instead of addressing the issue head-on, the organisation may waste time going through unnecessary processes or waiting for others to catch up.
  • Employee Frustration and Disengagement: When experts are continually overlooked, morale can suffer. Over time, experienced professionals may become disengaged, feeling that their skills are being wasted. This leads to reduced motivation, productivity, and innovation—ultimately hurting the organisation’s bottom line.
  • Missed Opportunities for Innovation: The most experienced IT professionals often have a deep understanding of industry trends, emerging technologies, and potential areas for growth. When they’re not included in decision-making processes, the organisation may miss out on opportunities to innovate and stay ahead of the competition.
Empowering Expertise to Drive Change

The good news is that underutilisation is a problem that can be fixed. By recognizing the value of experience and making a few key changes, businesses can unlock the full potential of their IT professionals. Here’s how:

  1. Empower Your Experts: Don’t wait for experts to speak up—invite them into the conversation. When decisions are being made about technology, governance, or strategy, ensure that those with the most experience are at the table. Give them the opportunity to propose solutions and take ownership of tasks where their expertise can make a difference.
  2. Foster a Culture of Trust: Building trust takes time, but it’s essential. Encourage open communication, delegate responsibility, and show confidence in your team’s abilities. Trusting your experts will not only improve their engagement but will also allow them to perform at their best.
  3. Improve Management Skills: For managers who struggle to manage technical teams, investing in leadership development can pay off significantly. Helping managers understand the value of their team’s expertise and how to leverage it effectively can make all the difference in driving successful outcomes.
  4. Recognise and Celebrate Expertise: Don’t just assume your experts know their worth—recognise and celebrate it. Whether it’s through formal recognition programs, one-on-one feedback, or simply acknowledging their contributions in meetings, showing appreciation for their expertise can go a long way toward keeping them motivated.
  5. Leverage Their Experience for Innovation: Your most experienced IT professionals are often the ones who can identify new opportunities for improvement and growth. You do not have to elevate them beyond others who already have the responsibility for coming up with, or implementing, solutions but you can tap into their knowledge to drive innovation. Encourage them to think outside the box and provide them with the autonomy to pursue new ideas they can share with everyone across the organisation.
A Win-Win Solution

The underutilisation of expertise in IT doesn’t just harm the individual; it harms the entire organisation. By failing to recognise the value of experienced professionals, businesses risk missing out on faster solutions, innovative ideas, and a more engaged workforce.

However, by empowering experts, fostering trust, improving management skills, and celebrating expertise, organisations can unlock new levels of success. It’s time to stop undervaluing the knowledge and experience that’s already within the team. After all, the best solutions are often the ones that come from those who have been working at the heart of the technology for years.