I see only value in what you have advised. Cross-training, looking at the whole person, finding opportunities for under-challenged individuals, mentoring, training, and encouraging people to step outside their comfort zone - that's going to strengthen the backbone of the organization.  I was telling someone yesterday that in my career, I have had 30 jobs. I don't meant 30 organizations, although I have worked for more companies than your average bear. l think I was fortunate to be given opportunities because the hiring managers were willing to take a chance on my transferrable skills and enthusiasm for taking on a new and different challenge.  I remember at one point in my career, I had worked for an insurance company for about a year. I was thinking of making a change and went to an employment agency. Oh. My. Goodness. They had already pigeon-holed me in the insurance industry! That was the end of my experiences with employment agencies for a long time. I found my own jobs.