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What are the 4 Stages of Competence?

Published in Learning & Development 2 mins read

The four stages of competence, also known as the learning curve, describe the progression of learning a new skill or task. They are:

1. Unconscious Incompetence

  • Definition: You are unaware of your lack of knowledge or skills. You don't even know what you don't know.
  • Example: A child who has never ridden a bike doesn't know how to ride, nor does he know that he doesn't know.
  • Practical Insight: This stage is characterized by overconfidence and a lack of awareness of the complexity of the task.

2. Conscious Incompetence

  • Definition: You become aware of your lack of knowledge or skills. You realize you don't know how to do something.
  • Example: The child now understands that riding a bike is difficult and he needs to learn how to do it.
  • Practical Insight: This stage is marked by frustration and a sense of discouragement.

3. Conscious Competence

  • Definition: You are able to perform the task but require conscious effort and concentration. You are still learning and improving.
  • Example: The child can now ride a bike but needs to concentrate on balancing and steering.
  • Practical Insight: This stage is characterized by focus and deliberate practice.

4. Unconscious Competence

  • Definition: You can perform the task automatically and without conscious effort. The skill has become second nature.
  • Example: The child can now ride a bike easily without thinking about it.
  • Practical Insight: This stage is marked by fluency and confidence.

Understanding these stages can help you to:

  • Identify your current level of competence: This helps you set realistic goals and expectations.
  • Develop strategies to move through the stages: You can focus on specific areas for improvement and learn from your mistakes.
  • Be patient with yourself and others: Learning takes time and effort.

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