This article follows on from Part 1. Or, if you’re already familiar with the ‘Logical Levels’ model (originated by Robert Dilts), dive right in!
The format below is how I use this model in one-to-one coaching – it’s just one of many ways to use it. This exercise is good both for uncovering problems and for accessing motivation and purpose.
For any problem that the client has identified:
- Lay out the levels of change on the floor – you can write ‘ENVIRONMENT’, ‘BEHAVIOUR’, etc on separate sheets of paper and arrange them like stepping stones. Ask the client which side of their perceptual space it feels like the problem would be, and which side should stand for the resources. NB you need to place yourself on the ‘resource’ side of the client!
- Ask the client to step on to the Environment level, reminding them what this level represents. Ask them to step on to the problem side and tell you what they notice at this level. Then ask them to step over to the resource side – what is there at this level?
- Step up a level and repeat the process for each level. When they reach the Spiritual or Purpose level (describe this level in accordance with the client’s belief system), they should have reached an empowered state, transcending the original problem. Quite often they enter something of a trance state. Ask them to describe how they feel.
- Ask them to keep that feeling, and bring everything that they’ve learned with them as they turn and step down to the Identity level. How does what they found at the Spiritual level change what was at the Identity level?
- Keeping the feeling and bringing the learnings with them, get them repeat this process for each lower level. The original manifestation of the problem at Environment or Identity level should have gone, or at least seem much less daunting in the context of everything they have learned at the levels above.
- Ask them to step off the Environment level. How will the future be different now?
NB if they encounter emotional problems at any level, as very occasionally happens, get them to step back down to a more comfortable level. Frame the emotions as valuable information and a basis for further exploration.
Why does this work? The human brain tends to give more weight to negatives and problems than to positives and opportunities. The more we think about our problems as we attempt to solve them, the more we tend to forget about the strengths, skills, and even previous experience, that would help us to solve it. In a similar way to Appreciative Inquiry, this exercise helps the client to put their problem back into perspective and reminds them of the resources they have available to solve it. Also, there’s some research evidence to suggest that reconnecting with our values strengthens our resilience.
Why not give this model a try, next time it’s appropriate? Let us know how you get on in the comments! Equally, if you’re an experienced user of the Logical Levels model, maybe you have tips to share?