The director stood before the audience and introduced the next number. “Music requires practice and precision. Many never realize the effort that goes into creating an error free musical performance. In this next number, each musician has selected one part to insert an error. None of us know when any of those errors will happen. Notice the difference the errors make in this well known favorite.”

As promised, the song began and three horns were in the wrong key and missed their attack. Every missed note, extended rest, and bad timing demonstrated the effort required for the band to sound good. The perfection of the next song was appreciated by the crowd. 

Group competence only happens when each individual on the team develops minimum levels of proficiency. Proficiency at a skill creates an environment that promotes trust. The more proficient one becomes, the more trust others place in that person. In turn, that allows the others to focus on their tasks and complete their work well.

If you are a young person, or remember what it was like to first enter the job market, you know the frustration of seeing the job ads that required a million years of experience even for entry level positions. You wondered how you were supposed to gain experience if no one would hire you. Employers want experienced people because they think that experience translates into a known level of proficiency. There is an old statement that dispels this belief, “Does the person have ten years of experience, or one year of experience ten times?” The point of this quote is to question whether someone with a larger work history has grown in the position or simply learned enough to get by. Smart leaders want people interested in learning and growing.

The balance of this paper is based on the idea a notional person received basic education in the topic they seek proficiency. Receiving the foundational education required to complete the tasks you want to learn is essential. There are reasons colleges and universities exist. The military has basic training to teach new recruits the fundamentals of military life. The trades have apprentice programs. Education is the first step in becoming proficient.

The easiest way to develop proficiency is through repetition. As a young cannoneer in the 1980s, I learned one way to emplace towed howitzers. Since then, the Army has fielded newer cannons, however the method I learned in the 80s still works today; only the knobs and buttons have changed. As my proficiency grew as a cannoneer, my leaders provided me opportunities to serve in roles with greater responsibility. Sadly, too many organizations expect others to train people and then cherry-pick the best. Few stay long, as they realize growth and learning opportunities are limited.

There are ways you can get your reps and sets and increase your proficiency in tasks. A common way is to volunteer for an organization that does something similar to what you want to do. For example, you want to enter the world of bookkeeping, but everyone wants their entry level people to have two years experience using QuickBooks or similar accounting software. Join the local animal club, you know Moose, Lion, Elk, Eagle, etc. Volunteer to keep their books or serve as treasurer. They probably use some accounting software, providing real world experience to add to your resume.

Find a mentor, someone who has done what you want to do. Work with them to improve your skills on a task. There are many benefits to having a mentor. If we continue the bookkeeper example, you’ve completed your degree in accounting. You volunteered at the local club to keep books. Now reach out to someone in a firm that is helpful. Tell them what you are doing and you need their help. Ask them for one or two sessions a month, about an hour each. Have a plan for each of those sessions. Your mentor provides much more than advise and asking questions to help you understand the practical applications of concepts learned in the classroom. Your mentor also is your “In” into organizations that want to hire qualified people. As you work with your mentor, she notices your skill level. She helps you find opportunities that might otherwise be hidden. This person becomes your cheerleader when you need a recommendation, but only if you listen, learn, and grow in the skill you seek to develop.

Make and learn from your mistakes. No one is perfect. Even after years of working on cannons, I would sometimes complete my pre-fire checklist only to find my crew made an error during our emplacement drill. After every exercise, we would take a few minutes to review what happened; what went well that we need to repeat, and what was less than ideal that we can improve. Taking time to reflect on these things helps you become more proficient, but ONLY if you actually apply the lessons.

Always continue learning. Join a professional organization. Read their journal to keep current on trends. Read books in your field to improve your depth of understanding. Attend training events and professional conferences. As you develop a wider and deeper understanding of topics in your area of interest, you are able to determine gaps in your skills. This knowledge allows you the opportunity to find ways to develop and improve your skills so you remain relevant and trusted.

Keep the basic in mind. As we grow, it is easy to forget the foundations of our skills. Review the basics periodically and compare them to your behaviors. One night I was at the police station working on a criminal complaint and arrest warrant. One of the patrol officers I supervised as Sergeant came into the office. He noticed I had the Criminal Code out and became excited about the big case I was working on. His enthusiasm disappeared when I told him it was a basic Simple Assault case. “Well why do you have out the Criminal Code?” he asked. “I’ve heard you quote the Simple Assault from memory.”

I explained, “I’m not wiling to bet my house on my memory of what the statute said and charge someone incorrectly.”* I always opened the book when every I wrote charges to ensure I checked every box. As a result of this and other practices that focused on basics, I completed a 32-year law enforcement career without being sued. That young officer eventually became Chief of Police and managed to never be sued. He learned the lesson of securing advanced learning and skill development to the basics learned early.

Developing proficiency in the skills required for your work increases the trust others are willing to place in you. When everyone in an organization knows their part, they create the wonders like those of a well practiced band. It only takes one or two mistakes by someone in an organization for stakeholders to lose trust. However, mistakes are not inherently bad. When you show others how you learned from mistakes, trust increases. You develop competence by acquiring basic education in the skill or topic. Next, gain experience through repetitive practice. As your skills improve, take time to continue to learn by adding to your breadth and depth of knowledge. Find a mentor. Join a professional organization. Attend training events. Read journals and books. In time, you develop the skills that demonstrate you can be trusted because you are proficient.

*Police officers are subject to lawsuits if they do not do their jobs correctly. If they are found in a civil trial to have violated someone’s civil rights, they may be required to sell their homes and other property to pay damages ordered by the court.

References

Coursera. (2023). The importance of skill development and where to start. Coursera.com. Retrieved on 11/22/23 at https://www.coursera.org/articles/skill-development

Herrity, J. (2023). How to enhance skills in 9 steps (with tips and examples). Indeed Career Development. Retreived on 11/28/23 at https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-master-skills

Feltman, C. (2009). The thin book of trust. Thin Book Publishing. Bend, OR