People often misjudge themselves and remain stuck in familiar patterns. For example, the learning process of a person who always chooses the same route and repeatedly falls into the same hole is arduous. This is where the four phases of learning come into play. First, they must recognize that they are knocked down every time. But only once they acknowledge the existence of the hole can they walk around it. In the third phase, transformation, they automatically choose a different road without a hole in advance. This is the stage of unconscious competence, which is a great state to be in. The issue is resolved and does not repeat itself—at least not on this particular road and with this particular hole. But there are now other roads and other holes, i.e., tasks that complete the four phases of learning.
People do not learn in a linear fashion, but rather from plateau to plateau.
When we start learning a new musical instrument, a new foreign language, or a new sport, the learning process begins with a phase of rapid progress. However, old habits soon cause us to fall back. We then reach a plateau and are unable to progress any further. At this point, it is essential to practice, practice, and practice some more until we have internalized the intermediate steps.
Repetition helps us memorize them. Only when we train and practice regularly do we reach the next plateau. Some become true experts, while others only perfect their beginner status. Getting stuck in the learning process shows three different phases:
- Many people approach their new task with euphoria at the beginning. However, when the first setback occurs, the elation evaporates. They give up in dissatisfaction.
- Others remain on the first plateau. They are no longer beginners, and their basic knowledge is sufficient to get them by. These people strike a comfortable but dangerous bargain.
- Still others fail to use the plateau phase they have reached to consolidate what they have learned. No sooner have they reached one level than they climb further and further—until they slip and fall.
- An alert mind is not deterred by setbacks. It keeps its eye on the prize and keeps going, no matter how exhausting and sometimes painful that may be. Once it has mastered its craft, it breaks out of its routine to push its limits even further.
The 4 phases of learning
David Dunning and Justin Kruger found that people who demonstrate little competence in a particular context overestimate their learning success and themselves. Highly competent people, on the other hand, underestimate their achievements and see themselves as being at a lower level than they have actually reached. One possible explanation for this could be provided by the four stages of learning described by Joseph O'Connor and John Seymour.
We learn everything in small steps, but to do so, we first have to realize that we know nothing. Or we recognize that we still know too little—and need to learn accordingly. You don't know what you don't know. This phase of unconscious incompetence is not yet actual learning—but it always precedes it. However, some people get stuck there. Let's take driving a car as an example. As a very young child, I didn't know what a car was, so I couldn't know that I couldn't drive a car.
The second phase is crucial for the learning process to begin: conscious incompetence. We recognize our shortcomings, but we also have an idea of how we can compensate for them. Only then can we work on them in a targeted manner and learn from them. However, no learning takes place at this stage. Further development only occurs in the next phase. Returning to the example of driving a car: I know what a car is, and I am aware that I cannot drive one yet.
In the third phase, we begin to learn and at the same time see our first successes. We consciously understand the progress from conscious incompetence to conscious competence. It's a good feeling, but it still requires some effort: we have to cram, swot up, memorize, practice—again and again. That takes energy, and we make mistakes from time to time. I know I can do it. To stick with the car analogy: I can drive a car, but I have to concentrate and any distraction could cause me to have an accident. Only the final phase brings real joy.
In the fourth phase, we have gained so much practical experience with the new skills that they have become second nature to us and can be called upon at any time. And that without having to consciously focus on them. We are unconsciously competent. What now comes easily to us is still a challenge for others. I have internalized something so much that it takes no effort to do or carry it out. It works almost automatically. Driving a car, for example, is something I do without thinking about it; I just do it.
The breakthrough: From unconscious to conscious incompetence
You probably know from your own experience that incompetent people repeatedly overestimate their own abilities, but at the same time are unable to recognize the extent of their own incompetence. This is why they are unable to improve their skills. They also underestimate the greater competence and better abilities of others. People who perform poorly are also unable to correctly assess the performance of others in this area and tend to overestimate themselves.
How can you make incompetent people understand their own incompetence? If self-awareness correlates with competence, then you should increase competence to bring self-assessment closer to reality. Make your colleagues and employees smarter in a specific context, and they will be able to recognize how incompetent they were or possibly still are. Or to put it another way: sometimes you first have to make people smart so that they become aware of their own cleverness.
If you really want to delve deeply into the fourth phase of learning, then use theDeveloping Peoplemodule in our online learning world. You will receive clear step-by-step instructions on how to take your personal integrity to the next level and improve your impact in the long term. If you work through this module consistently, we guarantee you will make a personal breakthrough in this context.
