Discovering the four levels of performance consciousness is a defining professional moment. This consciousness isn't about being awake; it's about being aware of why you're successful or not. There are four levels of consciousness.
1. Unconscious Incompetent. This person doesn't know ... that he doesn't know. Also called a DK2, which is short for "Don't know, squared." A DK2 is not only incapable, but actually clueless about his inability.
Before you say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I," it's important to note that everyone is a DK2 sometime. The challenge is to not live your life that way because DK2 is a terminal professional condition.
Right now you're probably saying, "Oh, Great One, please, stop me before I DK2 again."
Don't fret; we'll get to that.
2. Unconscious Competent. This individual lurches uncontrollably toward success without knowing how or why.
Sometimes we call an Unconscious Competent gifted, or lucky. Those of us who have to work hard for everything we get call them annoying.
But don't be too quick to envy this person because not knowing how you got where you are is one of the definitions of lost. And any resulting success is likely not repeatable.
3. Conscious Incompetent. This person is incapable and knows it.
If you're looking for an employee to train, this is the one. No ego about what he thinks he knows and no resistance to your methods and practices. A Conscious Incompetent is an amorphous block of disciple clay waiting for you, the master sculptor.
But be careful. Sometimes the Conscious Incompetent wallows in this condition as an excuse for nonperformance. Conscious Incompetence should be a temporary condition on the way to the next level.
4. Conscious Competent. This person gets the job done and knows why. She can identify what happened when she's successful but, more importantly, is fully aware of what happened when she fails.
How do you become a Conscious Competent? Through a practice called self-analysis.
Self-analysis allows us to see what we do well and capitalize on it, as well as recognize -- and constructively evaluate -- what we don't do well and improve or minimize it.
Self-analysis is not easy; sometimes it even stings because it requires that we control our ego. Ego obstructs self-analysis by telling us that any success we have is because we're so smart, while assuring us that any failures we experience couldn't be our fault.
Successful self-analysis is part of a conscious plan for professional improvement. Practicing self-analysis, Conscious Competents discover the enduring benefits of being honest with themselves about their own performance.
Write this on a rock ...
If professional excellence were a mountain, Conscious Competence would be its peak.
Jim Blasingame is the award-winning host of The Small Business Advocate Show and creator of the small business knowledge base, AskJim.biz . Also find Jim at SmallBusinessAdvocate.com.
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