Whilst running a full day planning session for some 50 plus businesses we were discussing why some people plan and do things and others plan and do not.

This then developed into a great session exploring the 4 stages of learning, how they impact businesses and teams but more importantly the pro’s and cons of each stage and what to look out for.

So in relation to planning we often start with a great idea, one that will change your business or significantly improve it and so we write it down as a strategy or action for the business.

Stage 1 – Unconsciously Incompetent.

At this stage I am blissfully unaware of what’s to come, I don’t know what I don’t know, but I have a great idea. This can be a liberating, exciting and powerful stage where we are enthusiastic about the future and share the ideas, people get caught in that enthusiasm and fuel the idea further, energy is high and everyone is on board

Stage 2 – Consciously Incompetent

Then we start to work on the idea, perhaps some more research is undertaken, we ask around, we look at all the stages and actions required, we look at the team, the skill sets required and all of a sudden it is a little more complex than we originally expected, we are now consciously incompetent , we know what we don’t know and it appears its going to be more difficult that we originally anticipated.

This is the stage where many a great ideas or strategies stop. It’s too difficult, too costly, too much hassle to develop or we don’t have the skills to push on.

Stage 3 – Consciously Competent

If you can persevere through stage 2 then we hit stage 3 consciously competent. We have a plan, a system, we are training, we are learning. With focus and hard work we can do what needs to be done but it’s difficult. This however can be a great time to train others, get best practice written down, find additional ways to do it better, improve, challenge.

The more we do it the easier it becomes and before we know it…

Stage 4 – Unconsciously Competent

It’s now just another part of the business, just what we do, we are unconsciously competent. Whilst this can feel great it’s also an area fraught with challenge. It’s in this area where people and businesses take things for granted, forget they are adding value, struggle to communicate their uniqueness and often find it more difficult to train others as you don’t have to think about it any more. You can also become complacent, bored even, there is no more challenge, what was one difficult, new, innovative, has become run of the mill.

So…

Recognise the 4 stages within your business, think about what you are asking people do do, how change affects people differently, remember back to when you first started, what it feels like to be consciously incompetent. 

Each new idea, skill, change programme will go through the above. Don’t be blind to the challenges and opportunities they bring and you will flourish. Don’t ever stop learning and stretching your skills, “you will never out earn what you can learn!”

To learn more about Simon Buck and business coaching visit my website here www.actioncoach.com/simonbuck