Mastering Mastery; Three Thoughts on Applied Fluency

Only very few will make it.

Mastery is Hard.

In a previous article, I posited that fluency is a portal to mastery. The article was about the concept of fluency, being the appropriate meeting point of speed and accuracy in any given domain.

Making that bold stand, based on some research and the convenience of a nice sound-byte, has forced me to think a little deeper about this concept of mastery.

Colloquially, it’s easy to conflate fluency and mastery. We can be forgiven for using the words interchangeably. However, mastery is, in its true form, a much deeper, broader and expansive level of fluency.

If fluency is the capability to effortlessly convey an understanding or demonstrate a physical skill, then mastery is to greatly elevate the skills with which we have become fluent.

Mastery is characterised by a combination of fluency, that is a well-rounded and acceptable technical proficiency, and application, being insightful judgment acquired through deliberate practice, continuous refinement, and reflective learning.

Mastery is the comprehensive understanding, skilfulness, and profound expertise achieved through dedicated practice, experience, and continual learning. The very nature of the specialisation means that mastery is typically confined to a particular domain or discipline.

“True mastery is not just about acquiring knowledge or skill; it’s about understanding the deeper principles that govern a discipline and being able to apply them creatively and effectively.” — Cal Newport

It encompasses not only the ability to perform tasks or solve problems proficiently but also the capacity to innovate, adapt, and excel beyond the conventional boundaries of knowledge or practice within that domain.

A master exhibits a deep understanding of the principles, nuances, and intricacies of their field, allowing them to navigate complexities with ease and confidence.

Mastery also entails a commitment to lifelong learning and growth, as true mastery is never static but rather evolves with ongoing exploration, experimentation, and refinement of skills and knowledge. It involves not only achieving excellence but also sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and contributing to the advancement of the discipline or field.

Mastery is hard. The title should be used sparingly, if at all.

The Development Journey

Zooming out to the wider development journey, mastery represents the pinnacle of expertise in our chosen domain.

There are many models and theories that help define the stages of development. Generally, though, our learning and development journey follows a pathway through at least five stages; beginning, intermediate skill-building, fluency, expertise refinement, and mastery.

In the Beginner stage, we are just starting to explore and learn about a given domain. We have little to no experience or knowledge within the field, but show interest in learning more, either by curiosity or necessity.

We feel uncertain, make frequent mistakes, and require frequent guidance and instruction from others. This stage is all about building a foundational understanding of the basic principles, concepts, and skills.

The Intermediate Skills-building stage represents a significant progression from the initial novice phase but has not yet reached the level of proficiency that would be able to be defined as fluency.

In skills-building stage, we’re building proficiency, and have moved beyond the initial stages of learning, increasing confidence. We begin to feel more confident in our abilities and can perform tasks or solve problems with less reliance on external guidance. We expand the required skillsets, developing our abilities and deepening our understanding of the domain, often exploring more advanced concepts and techniques.

While not yet considered fluent, we may aspire to mastery; to reach higher levels of proficiency and hence may actively pursue opportunities for growth and advancement within the domain. This stage represents a crucial phase in the development process, where we make significant strides towards fluency by building our speed and accuracy in the specific domain.

In the Fluency stage, we have acquired an acceptable level of proficiency and competence within the domain. We can perform tasks or solve problems with ease, confidence, speed, and accuracy. We have developed a solid understanding of the fundamental principles and techniques and can apply them effectively in various contexts.

While still refining our skills, we begin to develop a sense of autonomy and independence in our practices.

In the Expertise Refinement stage, we demonstrate a high level of proficiency and competence within the domain, surpassing the skills and understanding typically associated with fluency. We begin to specialise in specific aspects or subfields within the a broader domain, developing in-depth expertise in particular areas of interest.

We exhibit advanced problem-solving abilities and creative thinking, often developing novel approaches or solutions to complex challenges within the domain. We also take on leadership roles within our chosen fields, guiding and mentoring others, and contributing to the development and dissemination of knowledge within the community.

While not yet a master of our chosen specialty domains, in this stage we are committed to continuous learning and growth, actively seeking out opportunities to further develop our skills, capabilities and understanding.

In the Mastery stage, we achieve an extremely high level of expertise and proficiency within the domain. We possess deep knowledge, advanced skills, and a comprehensive understanding of the nuances and complexities within the field.

We demonstrate exceptional creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities. In fact, we actively seek out problems and challenges, pushing against the boundaries of our chosen domains.

We demonstrate a level of curiosity that expands the territory of our domain. Mastery is typified by an unrelenting continuous commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and a willingness to push the boundaries of our abilities.

“The beginner chases the right answers. The master chases the right questions.” — James Clear

While mastery typically denotes the highest level of expertise and proficiency within a particular domain, some might argue that there is a stage beyond mastery; Transcendence.

This stage represents a level of mastery where very few not only excel within the existing boundaries of the domain, but then transcend the traditional boundaries and paradigms of the domain, pushing the limits of what is known and possible.

They go beyond simply applying existing knowledge and techniques to innovate and create new approaches, methodologies, or even entirely new fields beyond the domain.

Fluency x Application = Mastery

As we move through the development journey, our inherent levels of pride and inflated sense of progress tend to drive us to locate ourselves at stages beyond where we actually and objectively are.

The stages of development become more difficult to delineate as we move through them — fluency can look like mastery though the right rose-tinted glasses.

So what? Why is it important to be able to distinguish the stages? Why is it so critical to identify whether someone is as at a level of Mastery, or at still at on of the stages on the way to mastery?

In human societies, masters of domains, whether they be true or only perceived masters, have always been the predominant influencers that determine the shape of our social constructs, communities, and cultures. The shape of modern, contemporary, society is being determined more and more by uninformed opinion, which is the chief currency of a Master-Wannbe.

Inept politicians, social media influencers, media pundits, and opinion-piece journalists all have enough of a platform to give the air of credibility and the illusion of mastery.

Being able to discern what is true mastery, and hence the gravitas and credential of contribution to conversation and societal influence, is therefore essential. This discernment is a critical component of self-awareness, and also social awareness.

Given it is so critical, it makes sense to come up with a schema to help.

If mastery is the meeting pint of fluency and application, then it’s useful to use those attributes for the axes of the matrix. Defining the attributes is key;

Fluency refers to the well-rounded and acceptable technical proficiency and creative insight in a given domain.

Application relates insightful judgment acquired through deliberate practice, continuous refinement, and reflective learning.

Analysing these attributes against each other, we begin to get a clear view of how each combine to create a state of mastery, and what happens when either attribute is over- or under-emphasised.

Low levels of both fluency and application creates Dangerous Delusion. The danger is that we present ourselves — or at least attempt to — as masters of a domain and begin to try and shape that domain. The real danger is that we get away with it. Ego trumps expertise, and the effects can be devastating, if the delusion continues unchecked.

Relative high levels of application and low levels of fluency put us in a space where we have Underdeveloped Potential. We have a good sense of how we can make a difference, and strong insights into the domain as a concept or discipline, but don’t yet have the levels of fluency of expertise to be able act on those insights.

Relative high levels of fluency, and low levels of application see us in a space of Unfilled Opportunity. We have strong technical expertise and a highly developed skillset but haven’t yet found a way to apply those skills in a way that a true master would. This space may be characterised by frustration at the imbalance between the skillset and levels of insight and awareness, meaning that the deployment of those skillsets often results in an outcome that falls short of expectations.

An appropriate balance of high levels of fluency and applications puts us in Mastery territory. Our insights and knowledge of the domain are commensurate with the technical abilities we bring to the domain. We are sought out as true experts and virtuosos, and we respond to that seeking with curiosity and humility.

Looking at the connection between fluency and applications in this manner helps draws out some insights;

· The Dangerous Delusion space can be truly dangerous, when we understand how much of a role mastery plays in building our societies. It’s a truly frightening thought that time and time again, self-proclaimed masters have had the ability to project enough ‘mastery’ to delude themselves and swathes of followers.

· It’s very easy to appropriate a mastery mantel, even if our levels of application and / or fluency aren’t objectively high.

· It’s really difficult to balance the levels of application and fluency, and hence helps explain why true mastery in any domain is rare.

· True mastery, in any domain, is indeed rare. In thinking about mastery in this more analytical sense, the list of true masters in any domain begins to shrink.

· Humility is a key character trait of a master. Not the meek, less-than kind of humility, but the kind of humility that is rooted in a strong sense of self, and that recognises that true mastery is like climbing a mountain with no summit.

Mastering Mastery

So, how do we master mastery? How do we set ourselves on a pathway to mastery of a domain?

As I’ve been thinking about the concept of mastery, processing it through this article, three thoughts come to mind.

1. Don’t. Don’t seek to become a master.

Instead, give yourself over to the process, and let mastery be an outcome. The mindset of the master is the deep interest in the domain, which then manifests as curiosity and contribution.

The Japanese word ikigai, the term behind the much shared and celebrated method of finding your life’s purpose, literally translates as ‘reason for being’. Finding that sense of purpose is important to identifying the potential domain of mastery, but then it’s about applying ourselves to the process of that being.

“Mastery is not a destination but a process. It requires relentless effort, discipline, and a willingness to embrace failure as an essential part of the learning journey.” — Angela Duckworth, psychologist and author

2. Humility. This speaks in part to the previous point, but I think stands as its own train of thought. The more I think about true mastery, the more I’m convinced that it cannot be achieved without an elevated sense of humility.

It’s counterintuitive to pursue humility — “one of the things I’m proudest about is how humble I am” — but it is a mindset and a way-of-being that needs to be adopted to be able to take the difficult steps along the pathway to mastery.

True humility is to have a firm sense of self, a well-rooted belief in your abilities, the courage to speak when necessary, and the wisdom to know when it’s not necessary.

“The master does not seek validation from others but rather finds fulfilment in the pursuit of excellence for its own sake. Mastery is not about proving oneself to others but about surpassing one’s own limits.” — Eckhart Tolle

3. Persevere. I think time is a key differentiator between masters of any given domain and those that come close. Mastery take time. It takes dedication. It takes the kind of grit that helps navigate knock backs and distractions.

The kind of breakthrough that mastery requires, in any domain or pursuit, needs the kind of hard work that exists in the shadows. It’s the practice that takes you beyond daylight.

It’s the research that you’re delving into at three a.m., not because some one told you to, but because you simply have to. It’s the kind of perseverance that is illogical, that is hard to explain, and that others simply can’t understand.

“Mastery is achieved not through shortcuts or quick fixes, but through the persistent pursuit of excellence and a willingness to push beyond one’s comfort zone.” — Carol Dweck

Mastery is indeed reserved for a rarified few.

Few of us will have what it takes to truly master our chosen fields, pursuits, and vocations.

The journey is worth taking, though.