The four levels of Competence
There are four levels of competence that most of us go through.
It can be super helpful for you to recognize what level you and the people you lead are in.
Most ADs/Coaches/CEOs have gone through these levels in some area of their professional life.
Having gone through these levels should help you be a better leader to those who are currently moving through the levels.
Below are the four levels with some descriptors of each level. I have also added my journey to give some clarity.
Stage 1- Unconscious Competence
You are free in this level. Not thinking. Flow. Untarnished. Blind confidence. You don't know what you don't know...and that is actually helping you.
I hit the unconscious competence stage twice...although they were slightly different. The first time was my freshman year in college. I had a good year, primarily because my pitching coach told me I was good enough to compete at this level and to just throw the ball to the catcher's glove. And so I did what he told me to do. Didn't know a thing about pitching, my mechanics, etc. I definitely had blind confidence.
Stage 2 - Unconscious Incompetence
As with level 1, you are not thinking and don't know what you don't know. Except your results are not good. From blind confidence to no confidence.
I hit this stage the summer after my freshman year. I was playing in the Cape Cod league and was not very good...and didn't have the tools or insight to make adjustments.
Stage 3- Conscious Incompetence
You become aware of what is different and difficult. Reality sets in. This is a crucial part of development. Make peace with the pit. When you are in the pit, you have to find your way, not fight it.
I was in the Conscious Incompetence level during my sophomore fall and spring. I was not good...and I knew I was not good. And when I say not good, I mean I was really bad. I was overthinking EVERYTHING. I was possibly the worst pitcher in college baseball that year. I was grinding to find answers...but had none!
Stage 4- Conscious Competence
Aware of what you are getting better at. Sober confidence. From blind to sober confidence.
Towards the end of my sophomore year, things started to click. My last several outings were better. I was at last starting to connect some dots. This carried into my Sophomore summer. I played in Alaska that summer and pitched well...and was continuing to learn more about pitching and myself.
Stage 1 (again...but different)- Unconscious Competence.
You have a flow-like confidence. This is the ultimate level.
I hit this level at some point in my junior year and carried it into my senior year. I finally got to a point where my thoughts were simple and focused. I got back to the "just throw it to the glove" mindset...the very mindset that allowed me to have a good freshman year. But this mindset was built on a solid foundation. I knew how to make adjustments because I knew what I was doing. Whereas my freshman year was built on a foundation of sand, this was built on a strong foundation.
As experienced leaders, you can tend to forget how hard it is. You forget you were once a young assistant trying to figure out recruiting or how to help your athletes. You forget how hard it was to lead a group of administrators. You forget that you too at one time were not very good. You forget that you were your own worst enemy.
Remembering your journey can help you in two ways:
-Empathy- Leadership is hard. Athletics are hard. Leading an executive team is hard. Remember that.
-Guide- Because you have gone through these levels of competence (and still might be going through them in certain areas) you are better equipped to help those you are leading navigate these levels.
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One of my weekly disciplines is scouring the internet for articles/tweets I can learn from and/or use with those I work with. Below are two that I hope help encourage and equip you.
Article 1- Are you prepared to be a head coach/AD?
Article 2- Input determines output
Podcast: Dave Shondell. Purdue Volleyball. Elite leader.
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Here is a testimony from a 1 on 1 client: "Travis has helped me become a better leader. Travis has helped me organize my thoughts and has given me so much clarity on how to lead on a day to day basis. There is no doubt that he is the biggest asset to my leadership and has reenergized my coaching style." Jeff Duncan, Head Baseball Coach, Kent State
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