Four Stages to Becoming a Systems Thinker
One obstacle stands above all the rest that prevents people from becoming System Thinkers and experiencing massive improvements to their business. PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW! Becoming a Systems Thinker is a process based upon the "four stages of competence" learning model. Take a minute to ponder these four stages as they relate to you and your organization.
- Unconscious incompetence - You don't know what you don't know. You are blissfully ignorant of your deficiency or don't believe that System Thinking is relevant. You don't realize the remarkable benefits of effective systems and processes. You haven't a clue how to develop good systems and probably haven't had any desire to do so. You likely have a seat-of-the-pants operation, with rudimentary systems created out of necessity by workers.
- Conscious incompetence - Maybe you read E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, or my newsletter, and a light bulb came on. You notice talk of "good systems" and "bad systems" in daily life. You now realize your deficiency--that perhaps Systems Thinking is important, and you need to learn this skill to reach your business goals. However, you're not sure where to begin and how exactly to create effective systems. You make a commitment to learn more
- Conscious competence - You begin to acquire new knowledge. Systems Thinking requires conscious effort and creating effective systems is painstaking. With ever-more practice and experience, the process becomes increasingly routine. Your confidence grows as you implement successful systems and refine your new skill--the MASTER SKILL of entrepreneurs.
- Unconscious competence - Systems Thinking is now easy and instinctive. You've had so much practice with developing systems that it has become "second nature"--a habit! You perform the task without conscious effort and with automatic ease. You are alert to cause and effect, continually refining your systems to solve problems and improve business performance. Without thinking, you teach and show others the ways of a Systems Thinker.
Become a Unconscious Competent Organization
We are all "unconscious competent" at such things as reading, typing, driving, and perhaps some sports. Are you ready to turn your business into an unconscious competent organization?
By developing effective business systems and processes, your business will operate at peak performance even when you are not around. You can take time off, or get someone to run the business for you. After all, an unconscious competent organization runs on autopilot. It has finally become what you always dreamed it would be.
Decide what stage you are at and press forward to the next stage. Experience the awakening and exhilaration that come as you take each important step. Believe me, I know. I've come through the process, just like you will!
Wishing You Prosperous Times,
Ron
By the way, you can accelerate through the four stages of learning by reading and applying the principles taught in my eCourse, Box TheoryTM: Double Your Profit with High-Performance Systems and Processes.
Check out these related articles:
10 Values of a Systems Thinker!
Are You a Systems Thinker?
Systems Thinking Can Double Your Sales!