The following is a wonderfully crisp capture of four stages of learning and implementation:
1. Unconsciously Incompetent
2. Consciously Incompetent
3. Consciously Competent
4. Unconsciously Competent
The first stage is typical for people who have not had skills or knowledge training, and who are often unaware of their weaknesses and situation.
The second stage takes place after a skills development or training session, with the participants recognizing that they have new skills and information to put into practice. They are now aware of their short-comings.
As participants consciously put their new learnings into practice, they move to the third stage – they are working hard to apply what they have learned.
Stage four is where participants are now practicing the new methods and concepts as part of their day-to-day operations, without having to devote additional thought to their application – the ideas are now imbedded and applied unconsciously.
I’d suggest that there is (at least) one additional stage to consider – any suggestions as to what it might be?
Copyright © 2009 The Second Derivative – All Rights Reserved.
For more tips and articles on demonstration effectiveness skills and methods, email me at
