Meta Skills — The Holy Grail
Part I
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
(Albert Einstein)
Introduction
Have you ever asked yourself why, when we have an opportunity to accelerate certain skills, we must sign up for this opportunity as if it is a lifetime commitment? And in so doing, allow other skills to take a back seat?
Is it possible that skills must be prioritized?
Or In other words, should not all skills be treated with equal energy?
What exactly is going on in the field of critical skills? And perhaps, is there a lack of attention and communication related to this mega-important field of essential skills?
So, in this new series of articles, together with Marty Strong and Dr. Jens Hartmann. We wish to fully articulate and understand the essential skills, known as Meta-Skills, and why are they critical for everyone.
Michael: Before we jump right into the first of the essential Meta Skills, I want to give an example from the world of BEST Robotics. It would be fascinating for our readers if they could time-travel and observe the many BEST competitive teams. Each year the unique problem set is transmitted to BEST teams all over the United States. Precisely one hour later, BEST participants, located in different physical locations, are required to get acquainted with the challenge presented for that year. Each challenge represents a myriad of tasks and dilemmas that require solving. Each BEST team had to solve this extensive list of issues to successfully compete later in the year. What would they learn? How would they evolve? What transformational change would they experience on the way to execution? Let’s take a moment to introduce Meta-Skill number 1.
Jens: Michael, it is a fantastic idea. Our readers would be part of one of the most powerful processes taking place and impacting our Meta Skills, the work of consciousness.
(Jens continues) Our consciousness plays a crucial role in problem-solving, enabling us to recognize and define problems, focus attention, and manipulate information in the working memory. It allows us to reason logically, evaluate options, and make decisions.
Michael: Our readers would notice that instead of dividing assignments, surprisingly, the participants gather in a room, enabling the consciousness to take its “baby steps” and practice “Problem-Solving.” They enter a room and allow their inner thoughts to go wild. Behind closed doors, the consciousness takes over, and the participants will share everything that comes to mind. And they document and capture these thoughts.
Jens: And this is Michael. How does the powerful BEST start? They realize they have a voice that can guide and interpret real-life problems.
Michael: That’s a great starting point. What about the unconscious mind? How does it influence problem-solving?
Jens: Ah, the unconscious mind is a powerful ally! Intuition, pattern recognition, and habit formation are all unconscious processes that can aid or hinder conscious problem-solving efforts. Intuition provides valuable insights, pattern recognition helps identify connections, and habit formation automates routine tasks.
It is a fascinating process in which participants at BEST unleash one of the most essential and critical Meta Skills, which impacts many other skills they will develop during BEST and will change their lives. How to solve problems.
Michael: You see, Jens, living in this meta-modern era where AI is just one aspect of our ability to innovate. Rockets ships also return to base. Not all astronauts require training; they can also be 90+ years old, so many other fascinating and innovative things occur in this era. Jules Verne’s prophecy is alive and kicking everything he, Ayn Rand, and others predicted, or maybe I should say — dreamed about is happening and more.
Maybe I should say everything BEST participants prescribe in their Meta Skills is indeed happening because they are also creating it. This is the crucial point.
"So many things happening are outside of the box. You will not succeed in the meta-modern era if you cannot accelerate your skills and embrace your uniqueness to stand out."
So now we realize what we are talking about ownership of those capacities essential to success. According to Marco Dondi — a former McKinsey researcher and education leader- there are over fifty skills vital to success in the future. What among them are those that are Meta Skills, and why?
Among the McKinsey skills for success in the modern economy are several skills that meet two more essential criteria we know to identify.
1. Skills that influence other skills are Meta Skills
2. Skills that enable solving or effectively engaging with tasks and problems are also Meta Skills.
The two litmus tests should serve you well in identifying Meta Skills.
Let’s take further steps into the specifics of Meta Skills to get ourselves acquainted. This is the BEST way.
Michael (continues): Jens, what else can help us understand the Meta-Level?
Jens: Yes. The biggest puzzle of all is the human brain itself. Understanding how consciousness and the unconscious mind work together can unlock our full potential and tackle even the most complex problems.
Michael: Thank you! Exploring the fascinating world of problem-solving and critical thinking has been a pleasure. I guess that as we keep exploring the different meta-skills, this relationship between consciousness and the unconscious mind will reoccur. Two siblings live side by side and empower our abilities. Sister and brother are working as a powerful team.
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Jens: The unconscious mind is a powerful ally! Consciousness and the unconscious mind work together like a symphony orchestra. Mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence all play a crucial role in effective problem-solving.
Michael: Jens, I love your analogy of the harmony created by the two working together. I think that it is incredibly wonderful because the more we practice, as we see in BEST. It is not only the skills that evolve, as discussed in the Meta-Skills. However, a culture evolves in the case of the abilities that develop, as in the case of teamwork.
Jens: The meta-level of consciousness! This is a highly advanced state of awareness, where you’re conscious of your thoughts and your own thought processes, biases, and assumptions. You’re thinking about your thinking!
At the meta-level, you’re able to:
1. Reflect on your mental states
2. Recognize your own biases and assumptions
3. Evaluate your thought processes
4. Adjust your thinking to avoid errors and limitations
5. Consider multiple perspectives and possibilities
6. Introspect and examine your own beliefs and values
7. Develop a more nuanced and accurate self-awareness
Reaching the meta-level of consciousness requires:
1. Self-reflection and introspection
2. Critical thinking and analysis
3. Open-mindedness and willingness to challenge assumptions
4. Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
5. Practice and experience in recognizing and managing your thought processes
By achieving the meta-level of consciousness, you’ll gain:
1. Improved critical thinking and problem-solving skills
2. Enhanced creativity and innovation
3. Better decision-making and judgment
4. More effective communication and collaboration
5. Greater emotional intelligence and empathy
6. Increased self-awareness and personal growth
Remember, the meta-level of consciousness is a continuous process that takes effort and dedication to maintain and further develop. But the rewards are well worth it! For most of us, getting to this level of consciousness isn’t about self-will but about and primarily practice.
One excellent way of elevating to the level of accelerating the consciousness and at the same time as we are discussing in this series, the Meta Skills is in frameworks such as those offered by BEST Robotics where in the setting of teams, our individual and collective brains sink into (and sync) consciousness and subconscious state of awareness of being faced with a real-life situation that must be addressed.
Entering BEST meta state will enable us to accelerate Meta-Skills, and we will also discover beyond.
To be continued in Meta Skills — Part II