The 4 Stages of Learning: How Coaches Can Embrace the Journey of Coaching for A More Fulfilling Career

Inspired by Bruce Lee's wisdom, "Be water, my friend," I want to explore today how we can adopt a fluid, adaptable mindset as coaches.

In our achievement-driven society, we often overlook the importance of enjoying the journey of learning.

However, as coaches, it's so important to understand the process of learning, celebrate each step, and guide our clients through these stages with fun and ease.

Today, I’ll go through the four stages of learning and how embracing this journey can lead to stronger, more resilient clients.

By recognizing these four stages, we can create an environment where our clients not only learn with ease but also enjoy the journey.

So, let's take a closer look at these four stages and how they can transform your coaching sessions into exciting and deeply valuable and inspiring experiences for you and your clients.

The 4 Stages of Learning

Unconscious Incompetence

This stage is characterized by "you don't know that you don't know."

It represents the beginning of learning anything, where everything is new, and there's no lived experience.

This stage is filled with excitement, curiosity, and a drive to explore further.

Using driving as an example, this is the stage where you're a kid in the car, fascinated by the idea of being behind the wheel. Your closest experience might be driving bumper cars at a carnival or navigating Autopia at Disneyland.

Conscious Incompetence

In this stage, you become aware that you don't know how to do something.

You start to recognize your lack of skill and knowledge in a particular area, and this can be both humbling and frustrating. But it's also an essential part of the learning process.

You've decided to get behind the wheel, and suddenly you realize there's a lot more to driving than you thought. You may stall, make wrong turns, or struggle to park.

This stage is so important because it’s where we become aware of our lack of know-how. When you’re working with your clients, this stage is where they understand that there's a gap between where they are and where they want to be.

As coaches, we need to support our clients through this stage by providing a safe space for them to make mistakes and learn from them. Encourage them to embrace this vulnerability and remind them that this stage is a crucial part of their growth journey.

Conscious Competence

This stage is where you start to see the fruits of your labor. Through practice, dedication, and hard work, you've gained enough skill and knowledge to perform a task competently. However, it still requires conscious effort and focus.

When it comes to driving, you may have passed your driving test, but you still need to pay close attention to every move you make on the road.

As coaches, we need to be patient and provide guidance as our clients develop their newfound skills. Celebrate their progress and remind them that with persistence, they'll move towards mastery.

Unconscious Competence

This is the ultimate goal: the stage where your skill has become second nature. You can perform the task without even thinking about it, like an expert driver who effortlessly navigates through traffic without breaking a sweat.

Reaching this stage is a testament to your clients' dedication and perseverance.

As coaches, we should remind them of the journey they've taken to reach this point, and that the struggles they faced along the way have contributed to their success.

This will help them appreciate the process and, in turn, make them better learners in the future.

Another great example of unconscious incompetence is when your clients have things and talents they’re naturally good at — so much so that they don’t even realize what a superpower it is. As their coach, you can help them recognize and celebrate the brilliance they bring to the table. (I’ll write more about this in another blog post).

How Knowing These 4 Stages Helps Coaches and Clients

Understanding these four stages of learning allows us, as coaches, to:

• Create a supportive environment that embraces the journey of learning, rather than just focusing on the destination.
• Develop tailored coaching strategies that address clients' specific needs and challenges at each stage.
• Encourage clients to be patient and persistent, which can help prevent burnout or feelings of failure.
• Foster a culture of celebrating progress and growth, making the journey more enjoyable and rewarding for both coaches and clients.

As coaches, our mission is to empower clients to achieve their goals and dreams.

By understanding and embracing the four stages of learning, we can create a coaching environment that fosters growth, resilience, and enjoyment.

So, let's remind ourselves and our clients that the journey is just as important as the destination. By doing so, we can ensure that our clients not only learn with ease but also enjoy the process along the way.

Remember, in the wise words of Bruce Lee, "Be water, my friend." 

Happy coaching!

With all the love in my heart,

Christian

ps. Know anyone who could use some reminders to appreciate the journey as much as the destination in their life? Be a blessing and share this article with them. It could be exactly what they need to create a more enjoyable life.

pps. Whenever you're ready … here’s how I can help you tap into your limitless potential and create the path of least resistance to your highest calling:

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