This article aims to explain the various stages of learning that the human brain goes through to learn any new skill. Learning is often a strenuous journey, and this difficult path is filled with confusion, discomfort and the inherent tendency to remain in the state of inertia (resistance to change!). The science of learning has been difficult to decipher purely because of the tremendous speed at which the brain absorbs and transforms data making the process almost instantaneous. Through the Competence Matrix, I would like to take you through the learning process in slow-motion, almost pausing at every instant to take a step back and comprehend how at each stage, the brain’s outlook towards learning constantly changes.
Let’s take the example of an individual’s (say Jack) desire to learn car driving and witness the various stages of learning that he goes through, before eventually mastering the skill of car driving:
Stage 1 – Unconscious Incompetence: Ignorance is Bliss!
Jack has owned a bike all his life and he finds that riding a bike is cost effective, fast and simply convenient. He also takes great pride in the fact that he is good at bike riding. Whenever his close friends who own a car lecture him about the benefits of driving a car, he mockingly tells them how bike riding is more advantageous when compared to car driving. This is the first and critical stage of learning; Jack will not embark upon learning how to drive a car as he does not see any value in doing so. In fact he does not even acknowledge his incompetence with respect to the skill of car driving. At this stage, Jack is happy with his definition of the perfect motor world and is indifferent to car driving.
However we can pause to note that Jack needs a strong reason to want to learn car driving.
Stage 2 – Conscious Incompetence: Learning is painful!
Now enters Jill into Jack’s life and all of a sudden travelling by car becomes a necessity. Jack decides to sign up for a 30 day driving course so that he can learn to drive around in his friend’s car. At this stage, Jack has a strong reason for learning the new skill; he recognizes the value of possessing the skill and also acknowledges his incompetence with respect to car driving. The first few days of the driving course characterize this stage of ‘Conscious Incompetence’ where learning is awkward and confusing. The driving instructor is often yelling out loud to apply the brakes, the clutch or the indicator! Often Jack gets frustrated with his inability to drive, he gets angry at the instructor and fear grips him when he sees a huge bus trying to overtake the car. At this stage, mistakes are a plenty and Jack often thinks about quitting the driving class.
Resistance to change is at its highest here.
Stage 3 – Conscious Competence: Learning is now exciting!
Jack is now 20 days into the course and car driving is now relatively simpler. Jack knows all the controls, his instructor talks calmly to him since Jack understands and follows the instructions given. Jack can now drive without fear and confusion and he is slowly getting comfortable at driving. His concentration is at its peak and he is extremely conscious towards the way he accelerates, changes gear or overtakes vehicles. Though there is significant amount of conscious involvement by Jack in driving, he now enjoys his driving classes.
Learning the skill is now exciting and he feels a sense of achievement regarding his learning!
Stage 4 – Unconscious Competence: Learning is Intuitive.
Jack has completed the course and has been driving the car for more than 3 months. Jack is comfortably cruising along the roads and overtaking buses with ease. Now, Jack has one hand on the steering, one hand adjusting volume on the music system, loud music playing in the background and he is simultaneously checking out the billboards on the highway. He has now mastered the skill of driving; it has become intuitive and automatic, along with the extra ability to multitask! Driving has indeed become a way of life!
The process of learning is complete and all the initial inhibitions towards learning have vanished!
Stage 5 – Conscious of Unconscious Competence: Trainee becomes the Trainer!
This is the ultimate stage in learning which is sometimes referred to as “reflective ability”. Upon reaching this stage, Jack can teach his friends how to drive a car by donning the instructor’s hat. He is made aware of his unconscious competence of the driving skill where he can transfer his learning to another individual.
He now becomes the trainer and many people can benefit from his learning.
When mentors and leaders acknowledge the existence of the learning matrix, driving change becomes easier and scientific. When bringing about change in behaviors or training people on a new process, a good leader clearly recognizes the various stages of learning at which each unique individual resides and customizes his/her training approach to each individual. The advantages are multi-fold; individuals who are in the Conscious Incompetence stage (strongly resistant to change) can be carefully guided to the Conscious Competence stage (ok with change). Individuals who are in the Unconscious Competence stage can be motivated to reach the 5th and the ultimate stage of learning where these individuals now become the change agents. These change agents would then inspire other people to give the change a chance, a humble try which would create a snowball effect and more people would eventually embrace change!
