Neverending
Learner
Welcome and take a wander through
The CTRL Awareness Model™
A Mirror to Mindset Maturity — Exploring the Four Levels of Awareness
A modern, practical way to locate your current level of awareness, see patterns clearly, and grow with intention.
Why It Matters
Most self-awareness models focus on how to build awareness — but they miss a critical point: how aware are you right now?
The CTRL model gives individuals a clear, relatable way to locate themselves on the self-awareness journey. It turns vague concepts into visible stages — helping people spot patterns, reflect honestly, and grow with intention.
It can also be used by L&D professionals, coaches, or teams to better understand where someone might be — and how to create the right environment for them to move forward safely.
How It Differs
Unlike the Johari Window or traditional emotional intelligence models, CTRL isn’t just a reflection tool.
It’s a map of mindset maturity — a guide to understanding someone’s current awareness level, how they process feedback, and how much psychological safety or support they need in order to move forward. It’s both diagnostic and developmental.
What It Is
C — Concealed
Unaware or guarded. Feedback often feels like a threat.
➡️ Safety and trust haven’t yet been established by the individual — even if others are open. Growth begins when they let others in.
T — Triggered
Awareness is sparked by external input — a comment, a reaction, a hard truth.
➡️ They want to grow but often don’t know how to begin. Vulnerable to shame or overthinking without support.
R — Regulated
Proactively seeks input, reflection, and feedback.
➡️ Ready to grow — but needs psychologically safe relationships that offer honesty without judgment.
L — Lead
Intuitive and relationally attuned — adjusts before the moment unravels.
➡️ Models presence and self-awareness for others. Creates safety by how they show up.
Why Film Analogies?
I use film analogies because great stories make complex ideas memorable. Movies give us shared scenes, emotions, and turning points — so when pressure rises in real life, you can recall the moment, recognise the pattern, and choose the next small step with clarity.
🛸 Think: Anakin Skywalker (pre-fall) — talented but defensive, isolating himself and rejecting concern from others.
🛸 Think: Luke on Dagobah (early Yoda training) — wants to learn, but keeps tripping over his own emotions and doubts.
🛸 Think: Rey during training with Leia — self-aware, open, and learning to navigate feedback and connection confidently.
🛸 Think: Obi-Wan (Episode IV) — calm, connected, aware of what’s unspoken; leads through presence more than control.
About
About Toby
Send me an email: info@tnlearner.com
CV / Bio
Download or preview my latest CV.
Connect and follow updates, articles, and event news.
YouTube
Welcome video and channel from The Neverending Learner.
Coming Soon: The Learning Mindset Book
It will reveal how old beliefs were rewired with the Industrial Age and how we need to learn to reshape those beliefs to reignite our capacity for neverending learning.
Here’s your chance to choose the cover of the book!
Click Vote under your favourite cover for The Learning Mindset. Your email client will open with a prefilled message—just hit send.
If the button doesn’t open email automatically, please email info@tnlearner.com with your chosen number.
TEDx Talk
A Crucial Lesson from Jurassic Park
We’re often so busy asking what we could build that we forget to ask if we should. In this talk, I explore how ethics and shifting norms guide innovation—through CFCs, plastics, and self-driving cars.