Are You Bad At Your Job? What to Do When You Feel Incompetent

By Moon Harper

Dec 25, 2023 03:26 AM EST

Feeling Incompetent at Work — (Photo : Unsplash/Elisa Ventur)

Starting a new job can be like a roller coaster, where you are excited about the fresh beginning, but then self-doubt creeps in. 85% go through this self-reflective journey of feeling overwhelmed, particularly for recent graduates or those returning to work after a break.

Signs of Incompetence at Work

Incompetence refers to an individual's inability to complete a task where mistakes or failures can impact confidence and job attitude and may lead to burnout.

Consistent Mistakes and Missed Goals
Difficulty in Time Management
Lack of Initiative
Avoidance of Challenges
Poor Communication
Resistance to Feedback
Lack of Adaptability
Frequent Seeking of Approval
Poor Relationship Building

The Four Stages of Competence

As you learn new skills, concepts, or behaviors, you go through four stages of competence, which include:

Stage 1: Unconscious Incompetence

This initial stage represents doing something for the first time. You often do not know how to do it correctly, though you also do not realize when you do it incorrectly. As a result, you may not know you need to seek support or ask questions.

Stage 2: Conscious Incompetence

In this stage, you realize that you do not know how to do something or did it wrong. You begin to feel discomfort because you acknowledge your mistakes or shortcomings. While it may be easy to pull back and stick to what you know, this stage can motivate you to learn new skills and move to the next stage.

Stage 3: Conscious Competence

Committing to practicing your shortcomings increases your competence, helping you perform the task independently and effectively. Though it may require more focus while you continue learning and gaining familiarity, it can help rebuild your self-esteem at work as you obtain success.

Stage 4: Unconscious Competence

In this final stage, you internalize the knowledge or skill, making it become second nature. No longer in the learning stage, you can perform this task without intense focus and often more efficiently. Feeling comfortable in your abilities, you may find opportunities to train others to complete the task.

How to Manage Feeling Incompetent at Work

Follow these critical steps for a smoother transition in becoming competent at your job:

Acknowledge and Accept

Recognize that incompetency is a natural part of the learning process to allow you to approach the situation with a growth mindset, understanding that improvement comes with time and effort.

Seek Guidance and Feedback

Seeking constructive feedback from others can provide valuable insights, help you identify areas for improvement, and boost your confidence as you work towards competence.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic and achievable objectives allows you to make progress incrementally. Celebrating small victories can build confidence and help counteract feelings of incompetence.

Accepting feelings of incompetence with a positive and growth-oriented mindset not only aids personal development but also paves the way for a more resilient and confident approach to navigating challenges in the professional realm. Embracing the learning process and seeking support when needed is integral to building competence and achieving success in the workplace.