Fremantle Swan Dragon Boat Club
費曼爾圖天鵝龍舟俱樂部
Maintaining Perspective
Ever wondered why you make rapid progress in a new skill and then seem to get frustrated or even dissillusioned with your rate of progress and growth as you realise you didn't know as much as you thought you did? You are not alone.
We all suffer from a cognitive bias where people with low ability at a task tend to overestimate their competence, while those with high ability may underestimate theirs. This happens because a lack of knowledge and skill prevents individuals from accurately recognizing their own shortcomings. Conversely, experts may assume tasks are easier for everyone, leading them to underestimate their relative skill.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is not unique to dragon boat paddling. It is a cognitive bias where a person's perception of their own ability doesn't align with their actual competence. This most prominently affects those with low skill, leading them to overestimate their technique and contribution, while more experienced persons may underestimate their own expertise.
The effect is often described through the four stages of competence as a person learns a new skill... like paddling.
We highlight this here not to label people, or put them into boxes, but to provide some context to your Dragon Boat journey and provide another perspective on your current level of confidence or frustration.
Unconscious Incompetence ("Peak of Enthusiasm")
The Paddler
Is new to the sport and lacks the skill to paddle effectively but is unaware of their technique shortcomings and lack of knowledge.
The Bias
They feel confident and may overestimate their ability (the peak of Enthusiasm) because they don't know enough to recognize the complexity of the proper stroke or the extent of their own mistakes. They might be quick to offer critiques to others despite their minimal experience.
Conscious Incompetence ("Valley of Despair")
The Paddler
Starts to learn more about proper technique (catch, drive, exit, rotation, synchronisation) and realizes just how much they still need to accomplish. They become aware of their current limitations and mistakes.
The Shift
Their confidence plummets, often leading to frustration or demotivation - the "Valley of Despair." This is a crucial, humbling, and necessary step toward true competence.
Conscious Competence ("Slope of Enlightenment")
The Paddler
Has developed the necessary skills and technique, but still needs to actively focus and think about every stroke to perform well.
The Progress
Their confidence begins to rise again, but now it is more aligned with their actual, measurable performance. They are actively working to make their technique consistent and effective.
Unconscious Competence ("Plateau of Sustainability")
The Paddler
The correct technique is now second nature and they perform effortlessly and efficiently without needing to actively think about every movement.
The Final Bias
Paradoxically, highly skilled paddlers may now underestimate their relative expertise. Because the stroke comes easily to them, they may assume it's just as easy for everyone else, understating the skill required or the value of their contribution.
Final Thoughts
Without being too obvious, it's clear your Dragon Boat career is a journey. It will take time to become skilled, competent and self-aware. As you look to improve one technical aspect, you might find it uncomfortable or even a regressive step. It's therefore important to maintain perspective and manage your frustrations and expectations.
The Dunning-Kruger effect highlights the importance of feedback and humility in the learning process to move past the initial inflated confidence toward genuine mastery.
