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title: The Hierarchy of Competence
modified: 2026-06-10
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![](https://media.huam.ing/image/6703e4a54443e5507718458802383a45.webp)

![](https://media.huam.ing/image/a0e64cb8e2adff3d0879bc06eea17f06.webp)

1. **Unconscious Incompetence:** Complete novice. Unaware of your own incompetence.
2. **Conscious Incompetence:** Aware of your own incompetence.
3. **Conscious Competence:** Developed competence at the craft, but execution requires significant conscious effort.
4. **Unconscious Competence:** [Sprezzatura](sprezzatura.md). Extreme competence executed without conscious effort.

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[Four Stages of Competence](https://sketchplanations.com/stages-of-competence-framework)