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Six Stages Of Learning Every L&D Pro Must Know

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Amazing Work Places

It is evident that the global business environment has become more competitive than ever. Workplace operations are undergoing major changes and technology is increasingly being relied upon. All such notable transformations can be attributed to the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus crisis in 202. The pandemic has compelled businesses across industries to prioritize digital skills and learning agility to adapt to the changing environment.

This is where L&D professionals can prove to be a boon for organizations looking to identify talent gaps and learning priorities. In a nutshell, Learning and Development (L&D) is about facilitating non-stop learning and growth. This can be achieved by fostering a learner-friendly environment and conducting capability assessments. According to a LinkedIn report, 59% of L&D professionals consider upskilling and reskilling a pressing priority for ensuring seamless development in organizations.

Having a strong background knowledge of the industry is vital for any L&D professional looking to contribute to the success of an organization. In the field of psychology, there is a popular model known as the “four stages of learning”. The model finds its roots in an article by M. M. Broadwell called “Teaching for learning” which was published back in 1969.

While there are normally 4 stages of learning in the model, we have added two more based on industry insights and our long-standing experience. Without more ado, we will shed light on the 6 stages of learning every L&D pro must know about.

Unconscious Incompetence

Unconscious incompetence is the first stage of learning in which people are not aware of how much or what knowledge they have. In this stage, the individual is clueless whether a skill gap exists or not. Since the individual in unconscious incompetence is unable to spot problems, he/she does not seek any assistance.

Learners in this stage should be able to recognize their inefficiencies so that they can realize the worth of acquiring new skills. Practicing awareness is the best way to move ahead and progress from this stage. The amount of time required to finish this stage depends on one’s will to learn. The more time people spend, the faster they can proceed to the next stage.

Conscious Incompetence

This stage is a little different from the previous one. The individual still does not know how to go about doing a particular thing but becomes aware of the deficit. Since this stage involves the acknowledgment of shortcomings, chances are you might feel uncomfortable. However, the identification of your incompetence can also serve as a motivation for learning a new skill.

People in this stage are bound to become conscious of their mistakes which were preventing them from performing a task successfully. The realization of mistakes can be beneficial to the learning process. Once your incompetence comes to light, you can proceed in your journey and take the steps to learn the needed skills.

Conscious Competence

Conscious competence is achieved when you have learned a skill through training and can perform a task without outside help. However, you may not be efficient at displaying the skill at hand as the same demands plenty of concentration. In other words, you can perform a task with effectiveness and independence, but this would require unwavering focus.

In fact, remaining focused is vital for ensuring that the task is handled well.

Someone who is more skilled and experienced than you might complete the same task in a shorter timespan. It must also be noted that distractions can hamper your performance to a great extent. Nonetheless, competence will start to show after you undergo repeated practice.

Unconscious Competence

You will reach this stage when you have mastered the skill and performing the task efficiently comes as second nature to you. The nicest part is that you will no longer require the same level of concentration or presence of mind to get done with a job. You will be able to finish tasks faster without experiencing any difficulties.

People who make it to this stage become adept enough to teach others the skills they have acquired after rigorous effort. They can even mentor team members who have just begun with this learning model.

Conscious Superiority

People in this stage exhibit a strong repugnance of mind towards learning. They oppose the idea of learning under the garb of “having knowledge of everything”. This usually happens when you have ample work experience at your disposal and you are convinced there is nothing new to learn. This stage can prove detrimental to your overall growth as you become averse to learning new concepts.

Blinded by their superiority, individuals in this stage falsely believe that the knowledge they are equipped with will help them get through future challenges. This sense of supremacy can halt your intellectual growth without you even realizing it. Whenever someone proposes a unique plan or comes up with an invention, people with conscious superiority are unable to accept it.

The possibility of something “new” coming into existence is impossible in their sight. Such people can become a huge hindrance to success. They tend to overlook emerging developments which may turn out to be beneficial for the company in the long run. It is extremely important to act wisely in this stage to ensure that learning does not cease.

Learning For Competence

It goes without saying that business is a field in which continual improvement is needed. Being competent becomes imperative, especially for delivering results and creating a prominent impact in the industry. Regardless of the level of knowledge one may have, being a life-long learner is a necessity for staying ahead.

You should keep looking for valuable answers to your questions even if you have many at hand. Since learning is a process that never ends, you must keep refreshing the concepts in your mind by repeatedly going through the basics. Learning for competence is sure to make you reach the pinnacle of success.

Final Words

With AI and technology coming to the forefront, companies ought to impart new skills to employees to stay on top of the competition. In fact, the coronavirus pandemic has made employees more desirous of acquiring new skills. L&D professionals can help businesses thrive in less time by building effective training programs and cultivating a culture of continuous learning.

Also, they must conform to professional ethics and polish their knowledge by staying updated with relevant business trends. Lastly, L&D specialists looking to succeed should acquaint themselves with all the 6 stages of learning elaborated above to serve businesses better.


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