Hey all,
Here's a concept for each and every person working in the corporate world to understand. It's called the Competency Ladder. This ladder has four steps that take you to a level where you achieve excellence in a particular work/job/field. The concept is mainly focused on new joiners.
Here are the four steps of this ladder:
Step 1: Unconscious Incompetence
Step 2: Conscious Incompetence
Step 3: Conscious Competence
Step 4: Unconscious Competence
1. Unconscious Incompetence - This is the stage where the person is not aware of their incompetencies. We can take an example of a person who watches others drive a car but has no idea how to drive it. They are at a level where they are not aware of what a clutch or accelerator is.
2. Conscious Incompetence - At this stage, the person becomes aware of their incompetencies. Referring back to our driving example, at this stage, the person gains verbal knowledge of the functions of a gear, clutch, and accelerator in a car. However, if given the keys, they still can't drive the car. This is why we call it conscious incompetence, as the person is now aware of their inadequacies.
3. Conscious Competence - In this stage, the person starts acquiring knowledge of a specific task, job, or skill and practices it based on the knowledge gained. For instance, a new driver sits very attentively while driving, focusing completely on the road. They avoid distractions, look at the gear lever before changing gears, and quickly check the rearview mirror before returning their focus to the road.
4. Unconscious Competence - This is the final stage of the Competency Ladder, where the person performs tasks unconsciously. They have mastered the job to the extent that they can perform it almost effortlessly. In our driving example, this person drives naturally, without needing to look at the gear lever while changing gears or turning their head to check the rearview mirror. They can even engage in conversations with passengers while driving.
It's important to note that at stage 4, the person will execute the task in the way they have learned it. For instance, if they learned to drive with both hands on the steering wheel, they may struggle to drive with one hand only. If asked to place a hand on the window while steering, they might find it challenging because they did not learn that style of driving.
Managers, please try to relate this to how your new team members work during their first month. They are at stage 3, and it often takes time to progress to stage 4. This transition stage significantly impacts the quality of work the employee will deliver in the long run. Therefore, allow them time to enhance their skills and reach the "Unconscious Competence" stage.
Cheers!
Genuinetrainer
Gaurav Dhyani
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
Here's a concept for each and every person working in the corporate world to understand. It's called the Competency Ladder. This ladder has four steps that take you to a level where you achieve excellence in a particular work/job/field. The concept is mainly focused on new joiners.
Here are the four steps of this ladder:
Step 1: Unconscious Incompetence
Step 2: Conscious Incompetence
Step 3: Conscious Competence
Step 4: Unconscious Competence
1. Unconscious Incompetence - This is the stage where the person is not aware of their incompetencies. We can take an example of a person who watches others drive a car but has no idea how to drive it. They are at a level where they are not aware of what a clutch or accelerator is.
2. Conscious Incompetence - At this stage, the person becomes aware of their incompetencies. Referring back to our driving example, at this stage, the person gains verbal knowledge of the functions of a gear, clutch, and accelerator in a car. However, if given the keys, they still can't drive the car. This is why we call it conscious incompetence, as the person is now aware of their inadequacies.
3. Conscious Competence - In this stage, the person starts acquiring knowledge of a specific task, job, or skill and practices it based on the knowledge gained. For instance, a new driver sits very attentively while driving, focusing completely on the road. They avoid distractions, look at the gear lever before changing gears, and quickly check the rearview mirror before returning their focus to the road.
4. Unconscious Competence - This is the final stage of the Competency Ladder, where the person performs tasks unconsciously. They have mastered the job to the extent that they can perform it almost effortlessly. In our driving example, this person drives naturally, without needing to look at the gear lever while changing gears or turning their head to check the rearview mirror. They can even engage in conversations with passengers while driving.
It's important to note that at stage 4, the person will execute the task in the way they have learned it. For instance, if they learned to drive with both hands on the steering wheel, they may struggle to drive with one hand only. If asked to place a hand on the window while steering, they might find it challenging because they did not learn that style of driving.
Managers, please try to relate this to how your new team members work during their first month. They are at stage 3, and it often takes time to progress to stage 4. This transition stage significantly impacts the quality of work the employee will deliver in the long run. Therefore, allow them time to enhance their skills and reach the "Unconscious Competence" stage.
Cheers!
Genuinetrainer
Gaurav Dhyani
From India, Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)CiteHR is an AI-augmented HR knowledge and collaboration platform, enabling HR professionals to solve real-world challenges, validate decisions, and stay ahead through collective intelligence and machine-enhanced guidance. Join Our Platform.
Competency Development.xls
Competency Development GUIDEBOOK.zip