Competency Model

The competency model shows how as you learn from left to right:

  1. You do not know that you can’t
  2. You know you can’t
  3. You know you can
  4. You forgot that you can

Most learning happens at 1-to-2. One job of coaching is to help the coachee get conscious about skills (4-to-3).

The danger of sub-conscious competence as, with time, especially when there is EXTERNAL change, the individual becomes sub-consciously INCOMPETENT. Driving a car is a common example of this. As managers and coaches we also have to get people aware when they think they are competent but are actually incompetent.

© McLeod, A. 2009