Coined by Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, the idea of skill stacking is simple: instead of becoming exceptional at one thing, you combine several useful skills to become highly effective. You don’t need to be a genius—just better than average in a few key areas. In this post, we’ll look at how to use this concept to develop your career, no matter where you’re starting from.
Why skill stacking works
Employers rarely need a world-class expert. They want people who can solve problems, work across teams, adapt to change, and handle more than one task. Being good at one skill limits you to a narrow role. Being decent at three or four skills makes you far more flexible.
Here’s a simple example. A graphic designer who’s also good at writing and understands basic web design is more useful than a designer who only knows layout. They can take on more work, talk to more clients, and move into broader roles.
Skill stacking works because the mix of skills makes you stand out. It gives you a personal edge that’s hard to copy. And in a changing job market, it means you’re more likely to adapt and grow.
Start with your core skill
Everyone starts somewhere. Maybe you’ve trained as a teacher, worked in admin, studied science, or picked up experience in sales. That’s your base skill—the one you’re already using or are most comfortable with.
Your goal isn’t to leave it behind. Instead, you build around it.
Think of your base skill as home turf. It’s where you’re most confident, and it gives you credibility. From there, you can look at skills that add value or open up new directions.
Add complementary skills
This is where the real growth happens. You take your core skill and add others that make it more powerful.
Here are a few common examples:
A teacher adds digital learning tools and basic video editing. Now they can build online lessons or elearning courses.
An administrator learns Excel modelling and project coordination. They become a go-to person for planning and process improvement.
A nurse studies health communication and writing. They can now move into policy, training or health journalism.
You don’t need to be the best coder or the best speaker—just good enough to use the skill confidently in your job.
When choosing complementary skills, think about your industry, your interests, and the gaps you see around you. Ask yourself: What could I learn that would help me solve more problems or take on bigger tasks?
Add general-use skills
Some skills fit almost any role and are always worth developing. These include:
Writing clearly (emails, reports, social media posts)
Presenting or speaking to a group
Understanding basic data and spreadsheets
Using tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, or Zoom
Working with people from different backgrounds
These aren’t ‘extras’—they’re core skills in most modern workplaces. They also make the rest of your skill stack more visible. If you can explain your ideas well, present your work, and manage your time, you’ll get noticed.
Learn on the side
You don’t need to go back to university or spend a fortune to build your stack. There are many low-cost or free ways to learn:
Online platforms like Coursera, FutureLearn or LinkedIn Learning
YouTube tutorials and blogs
Volunteering or side projects
Taking on stretch tasks at work
Asking to shadow someone or try a new tool
The key is to learn actively and with purpose. Don’t collect skills for the sake of it. Choose ones that make sense for your goals.
Tell your story
Skill stacking doesn’t just work—it also gives you a strong career story. When you’re applying for jobs or pitching for opportunities, explain your mix of skills and how they work together.
For example:
“I combine a background in retail with skills in inventory software and customer data analysis. This helps me improve stock control and customer satisfaction.”
Or:
“With a base in administration and added skills in project tracking and internal communication, I help teams deliver work on time and stay aligned.”
The aim is to show that your value comes from the whole stack—not just one item on a checklist.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to be the best at anything. You just need to be useful in a few key ways. Skill stacking gives you a practical way to stand out, stay adaptable, and shape a career that fits who you are.
If you’re not sure where to start, take five minutes to write down the skills you already have. Then pick one skill that would strengthen your stack and commit to learning it over the next month. Bit by bit, you’ll become someone who can do more, solve more, and move further in your career.
