Making Change Stick

...by measuring both reasoning and executing power.

In whatever skill we are trying to improve in our team or organization, we tend to measure reasoning power because we assume that execution power automatically follows. We bias knowledge - the ability to reason about the skill over proficiency - the ability to execute the skill.

This common measurement bias informs them, but we’ve not helped them in learning to execute the skill. Simply measuring knowledge usually boils down to accidentally measuring communication capability. Or testing capability. Or dare I say… bullshitting capability.

Effective skill acquisition depends on a balance between knowledge and competency. A person's progress is constrained by whichever of these two—knowledge or proficiency—is weaker.

At some point, a person who emphasizes reasoning will run into the limit of insufficient grounded experience to make the next mental leap. And a person who emphasizes proficiency will run into the limit of entrenched habits without the metacognition to challenge them.

Because we often overly assess knowledge, learners overemphasize the reasoning power. This develops a weakness in proficiency, which eventually limits their progress.

Adding to our common bias is the natural challenge that it takes the brain zero time to suck in information, while it takes time and real life practice for the brain build the neuro pathways that can execute a skill. Combined with our emphasis, this results in immediate, rapid progress and then a sudden plateau. Progress looks great at first, then it just…stops.

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This article is about becoming aware of these differences, and the necessary balance for skill acquisition to stick. This infographic encapsulates a quick clarification between the two.

So think about the ways you facilitate skill acquisition. Are you measuring the competency to perform skill? Or are you measuring the knowledge about that skill?

Both are important, but measuring competency is lesser known.

Come to my webinar on Meeting People’s Skills Where They Are At to learn how to recognize and diagnose competency levels!

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