Awkwardness of Competency

“Nobody’s natural. You work hard to get good and then work to get better. It’s hard to stay on top – Paul Coffey”

The Mind and the Fabric of Competency

The Knowledge Component:
Knowledge is like individual threads forming the “weft” of a fabric—essential but incomplete without the “warp” to create a unified structure. Knowledge, when isolated, can lose its essence, much like fragmented sciences fail to create a cohesive world of understanding. Consider the age-old chicken or egg debate. For those with a nuanced grasp of knowledge, the answer seems obvious—”chicken first.” However, for others, it remains an endless loop, akin to a thread not yet integrated into the weft. This reflects Akrasia—a state of inner conflict that hinders competence.

The Skills Component:
Practical skills are deployable, but their impact depends on how they intertwine with knowledge. When knowledge (“weft”) merges with experimentation or practical actions (“warp”), the foundation of a functional and quality fabric emerges.

For instance, a colleague might praise another for executing a task well but suggest that applying learned techniques could have yielded a better outcome. The hesitant response, “That’s theoretical, not practical,” reveals a reluctance to fully utilize learned skills—a hallmark of Akrasia, creating awkwardness in competency.

The Attitude Component:
Attitude functions like the “thickness” of a fabric under pressure—an unseen yet critical element of competency. True competency intertwines knowledge, skills, and attitude into behavioural actions that determine success or failure.

Consider an aspiring CXO who, despite rigorous training, struggles to apply behavioural skills as envisioned. Instead, default behaviours take over. Dismissing the gap with statements like “It’s theoretical” underscores Akrasia—the reluctance to bridge the divide between potential and practice.

Not ignorance, but ignorance of ignorance, is the death of knowledge – Alfred North Whitehead

The Role of Akrasia and the ‘X’ Factor

Akrasia distorts the relationship between theory and practice, creating an awkwardness in achieving desired competency levels. It represents the gap between “what could be” and “what is,” leaving individuals short of their full potential. Even popular tools like role-playing and video-based learning surely fails because they overlook the influence of Akrasia. While these methods help move learners from “conscious incompetence” to “conscious competence,” they seldom achieve “unconscious competence”—the zenith of mastery.

This gap, driven by what we term the ‘X’ Factor or the “Angel Factor,” is a persistent human reality. It signifies that no one operates at a perfect level of competency. Instead, awkwardness lingers, shaped by Akrasia and the elusive X Factor, even among seasoned professionals.

The Illusion of Perfection

The belief that humans can fully develop competency is an illusion. Even at their peak, individuals remain unaware of the awkwardness that persists. This is not a flaw but an inherent characteristic of humanity.

Competency’s foundational elements—knowledge, skill, and attitude—are inherently intertwined, much like the warp and weft of a fabric, forming a cohesive structure. Attitude, in particular, cannot be isolated, as it is reflected in the behavioural actions that manifest along a spectrum of successes and failures. These behaviours are further categorized and adapted to suit different job roles and contexts.

While natural talent, or innate competency, may serve as a starting point, it seldom guarantees optimal outcomes. However, with the right training and mentorship, this raw potential can be cultivated into meaningful and relevant actions, progressing toward higher levels of proficiency. Each job type demands specific competency standards that are clear and unwavering. Yet, achieving these standards often encounters the challenge of Akrasia—the tendency to act against one’s better judgment—which significantly impacts the journey toward competency mastery.

A Word of Caution

• “The only barrier to truth is the conviction that you already have it.” – Chuck Missler
• “The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubborn illusion.” – Albert Einstein

Understanding Akrasia and its interplay with the X Factor is crucial for competency development professionals. By acknowledging this inherent awkwardness, we move closer to a more authentic and effective approach to building skills, knowledge, and attitudes.