What is the first level of competence to develop in decision-making?

The first level of competence in decision-making is awareness. At this stage, individuals begin to recognize the existence of a problem or decision to be made. Awareness involves identifying the situation at hand and understanding that a choice must be made, which forms the foundational step before any further development in skills or understanding can occur. It is about being cognizant of the factors involved and the implications of potential decisions.

Skill involves the practical application of knowledge and techniques in decision-making, but this comes after one has achieved a level of awareness about the context and the variables influencing the situation. Understanding builds on awareness, incorporating knowledge and insights to analyze the situation more deeply. Expertise represents a high level of competence that comes with experience and mastery, which cannot be reached without first developing awareness and understanding of decision-making processes.