performance in training.
The fourth and final component of competence at continuous
learning is self-objectivity or the ability to recognize
one’s own strengths and weaknesses. This is critical
for continuous learning, because it enables the individual to
realize that he/she has areas of weakness that would benefit
from development. Being objective about one’s careerrelated
abilities may help the employee gain knowledge of
the ‘big picture’ of his or her current career situation that
lets him/her see the need for improvement in specific areas
as a way to reach relevant goals. This general type of career
insight was found to be related to past participation and
current interest in development activity (Maurer and Tarulli
1994). Similarly, self-perceived need for development
(Noe 1986; Noe and Schmidt 1986; Maurer and Tarulli
1994) has been shown to be related to past participation in
and current interest in development activity (Maurer and
Tarulli 1994)