“AI-powered simulations now allow people to rehearse tough conversations, practice decision-making and close real skill gaps without fear of embarrassment,” says Trond Aas, CEO of Attensi, the world’s leading provider of game-based solutions for skills and people development, observing that technology is catching up to human psychology.
The problem these simulations address is a widespread but under-acknowledged workforce challenge: skill masking — the act of employees hiding skill gaps to appear more competent. The findings of a recently released study by Attensi suggest that companies may be overlooking a quiet, internal struggle with confidence among workforces that begins during the onboarding process and continues through the employee lifecycle.
According to the study of 2,000 employees across industries and age groups, a majority (58%) say they’ve engaged in skill masking at some point in their current role. Nearly half (46%) admit to pretending to understand tasks they don’t and 40% actively avoid asking for help, even when unsure how to proceed.
This phenomenon, rooted in what the study terms skill-set anxiety, is especially pronounced among younger workers. More than half of employees aged 18–44 report frequent worries about being underqualified, and 29% say this anxiety strongly reflects their experience on the job. Importantly, these feelings take root early: The most common reported consequence of poor onboarding isn’t churn or performance but diminished confidence (55%).
“Too often, success is measured by checklists, not mastery and confidence,” says Aas. “And when employees don’t feel safe learning in person, they mask their gaps rather than close them.” He believes the key for organizations serious about performance is “creating environments where people can safely stop pretending and start progressing.”
The full findings of Attensi’s study offer organizations rich insight into how confidence, safety, and digital tools intersect to shape onboarding and upskilling outcomes. Despite the stigma, most employees (58%) say they would feel comfortable admitting skill gaps to a manager. Even more strikingly, two-thirds (67%) express willingness to use confidential, AI-powered role-play tools to practice and strengthen job-critical skills privately.
