not replying to a specific message but reflecting on the general theme of
the header (unconscious competence)
Dear Lo'ers,
Until now I observed the discussion on this thread from a distance. I kept
this distance for a while because I was trying to understand the issue.
But unfortunately I cannot get my finger behind it. Let me explain my
troubles:
- Consciousness is something which is situated in yourself.
- Competence is a characteristic which is NOT in yourself, but the world
outside yourself is needed to know whether competence is in play. In other
words, competence is a characteristic that is relative to other's
competences. At least two parties are involved.
The competence of a loner living on an isolated isle can never be
'measured', neither by the very person, nor by others (since they are not
there).
So maybe Robinson Crusoe was building an awfull shelter for himself, or it
was - given the means available - a very sofisticated one. He could not
decide whether he was competent or not.
Then Friday appeared. Friday made also a shelter for himself. At that
moment there is a possibility to say something about competences: which
shelter is the best. (the role of Daniel Defoe as the author kept neutral
and observed his creations without judgement).
The following could happen between Robinson (RC) and Friday (F):
1.RC doesn't realise that his shelter is different from F's shelter. RC is
unconscious; competence is not yet in play.
2. RC doesn't realise that his shelter is different from F's shelter, but
F told him that there is a difference. F was conscious, RC became
conscious; competence is yet not in play.
3. F decided that the shelter of RC is better than his own, and he made
the conclusion that RC is competent. F is conscious about his own
incompetence; RC is unconscious competent.
4. F said that RC is competent, because RC built a better shelter. The
question is now: is RC conscious of his own competence? RC could think:
a) you say it, but I don't believe it; b) you say it, I believe it, but so
what?; c) you say it, I believe it, and I realise that I am competent.
Only in the last case RC is conscious of his own competence (of building
shelters).
So, the observer (F) is from the beginning conscious. If RC was the first
observer with the same conclusion as Friday's, he will be conscious
competent. But without sharing his conclusion with F, this attitude of RC
is rather arrogant. RC may decide to share his conclusion with F, so F
becomes conscious of his incompetence (if he agrees with the conclusion of
RC!). Or RC could not share his thoughts and F stays innocent and
unconscious.
Consciousness alone is not enough. Consciousness must be transferred to a
will. A will to teach (if competent), or a will to learn (if incompetent).
But again at least two parties are involved. Teaching is only possible if
there are learners (keep this in the daily life in mind!), and learning is
only possible if there is a teacher (behind written information is a
teacher). In both cases both parties must be conscious, AND must be
willing.
But what happens if two parties are simultanaously either conscious
competent, or conscious incompetent?
Then a third party is required. Either to judge (conscious with more or
other competences) in the first case, or a conscious competent teacher is
needed.
But especially the conscious-competent combination is often arrogant,
cocky and/or unwilling to learn (since he/she THINKS he/she is the best).
If this is realy the case, HE/SHE will never know, until a third party is
able to open his/her eyes, mind and heart.
So in the 2x2 matrix, the con-com square must be avoided. BE AWARE OF YOUR
INCOMPETENCE! And be conscious of your willing to learn. That is probably
Senge's message in a nutshell, because you need others (team work) to
'measure' your level of competence and for having a teacher. So reach as
soon as possible the square conscious-INcompetent and stay there for the
rest of your life. No spiralling is needed.
dr. Leo D. Minnigh
minnigh@library.tudelft.nl
Library Technical University Delft
PO BOX 98, 2600 MG Delft, The Netherlands
Tel.: 31 15 2782226
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Let your thoughts meander towards a sea of ideas.
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--Leo Minnigh <L.D.Minnigh@library.tudelft.nl>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>