Are You An Unconscious Competent?

At first glance, especially if you have never heard of the term ‘unconscious competent’ before then you may be mistaken in thinking that this is a derogatory phrase. However, this is not the case at all. In fact, if you have been described as an unconscious competent person in your workplace then take it as a compliment because the words are describing you as the epitome of expertise and represents that you have reached a stage in your role where proficiency has become second nature.

Of course, we are all aware that being described as competent is something that we all strive for and it is where we may have invested much time and effort into mastering our trade or job, perhaps almost to the point of perfection. (I say almost, as within any job, there is always room for continuous learning and therefore improvement.) The word unconscious in this context does not describe a sleeping state but rather the ability to perform tasks effortlessly as if on autopilot, without any need for conscious thought or effort.

A couple of examples is that of a craftsperson, maybe an artist or a graphic designer who seamlessly creates visually stunning pieces of work, a project manager who effortlessly navigates through a series of complex timelines or the salesperson who makes sale after sale, making more sales in a month than their counterparts do in a year. When asked ‘How do you do it?’, the reply will invariably be ‘I don't know - I just do!’ You see, these professionals, and it can apply to any profession at all, have reached a level where only minimal cognitive effort is needed to execute tasks with precision.

The journey to unconscious competence usually starts with being unconsciously incompetent! This is where individuals lack awareness of their deficiencies but through sustained effort with regard to learning and practice, they progress to conscious incompetence and thus realise what they do not know. With dedicated effort, focus and commitment, skills are refined and then they achieve unconscious competence.

It is profoundly significant to have been identified as unconsciously competent, especially in the workplace. It signifies efficiency and effectiveness where tasks are completed with a high level of accuracy and skill. Not only does this obviously enhance individual performance but also contributes to the overall success of a team or organisation.

A key advantage of being unconsciously competent is the ability to act as a mentor and offer guidance to others within the workplace as professionals at this high level of competence can share insights which have been derived from their deep understanding, facilitating the growth of others. Their intuitive grasp of situations makes them valuable assets in problem solving scenarios where they are able to navigate through challenges with ease.

However, you must guard against complacency, despite the comfort of being an unconscious competent. Continuous learning and staying on top of industry trends and developments are essential to ensure that you remain adaptable and relevant in the dynamic and ever evolving jobs market of today.

Being an unconscious competent is a testament to dedication, experience and a commitment to continuous improvement.