Confidence Is not Competence

 

 

Confidence and competence:

Do not mistake the two,

Often, they have gone together

Just like a sock and shoe.

 

The sock before the shoe

Is the normal sequence

Thus, this appropriate analogy

Shows the difference.

 

Competence should come first

Followed then by confidence

However, the other way around

Causes accidents.

 

Just like driving a vehicle,

Competence must come first

And so, we develop the competence

And not the insane reverse.

 

Confidence before competence

Is flirting with disaster,

It is like a monkey handling a gun

He has not even mastered.

 

 

Think of a medical doctor

And the studies he undertakes,

The more competent he becomes

The less mistakes he makes.

 

 

 

Or, take an airline pilot,

Commuting to distant lands,

Though confidence is very necessary

Competence is a greater demand.

 

Too many lives at stake

Especially in large aircraft

Would you feel confident with pilots

Who just managed a pass?

 

 

That’s a rhetorical question

So, you need not respond,

I have already selected the answer

That both you and I stand on.

 

Competence and confidence:

Get the order correct

Or else like so many before you

You may become a wreck.

 

Many an accident occurs

When we exceed our skill set,

And if perchance our life is saved

We may incur great debt.

 

 

So, just a word of advice:

Please don’t mix these up,

When confidence exceeds competence

You could run out of luck.

 

Stewart Russell © January 18, 2025