Logical Levels
Logical levels (based on Gregory Bateson and Robert Dilts)
How to think on a higher level. An insight into the logical levels associated with learning is of benefit to the enhancement of the personal ability to learn and the enhancement of the ability of others to learn. The effect of each level is to organize and direct the information on the level below it. Changing something on a higher level would necessarily change things on the lower levels; changing something on a lower level could but would not necessarily affect the upper levels. The level at which a person experiences his problem can be recognized from the way in which he tells his story and asks questions. If you remain stuck on a certain thinking level a problem may seem completely unsolvable. A coach can raise a person’s thinking level by asking questions and so opening up a new perspective. The ability to learn can be encouraged by adapting to the relevant level or by challenging the person to think at the next highest level.
How to use the Logical Levels?
The model is an excellent tool for addressing “problems” at the right level. It allows you to learn which values really matter to you. You can find your passion in this way, allowing you to take a proactive attitude and be able to make change in your situation. If you want to fix your problems, it is important to address them at the right level of Bateson depth. If you do not do this, you are unlikely to make any real change, especially in the longer term. An example that powerfully illustrates how this idea works: Speaking anxiety is almost never at the behavioral or skills level, even though most interventions and trainings focus on that. Do you have a fear of addressing a group? Most likely, limiting beliefs such as I have nothing interesting to say, or What if I fall through play a role. Examine your beliefs and learn to reverse them.
Arrange in advance:
- Provide a sparring partner
- Reserve a large piece of wall or space
- Print or draw the canvas on a large sheet of paper
- Print or write 6 A4 sheets with the text: Environment, Behavior, Skills, Persuasion, Identity, Meaning.
- Put these 6 A4 sheets on the ground
- Have plenty of Post-it's and markers ready
- Allow yourself undisturbed time
So Bateson's model can be used to determine where the “obstacle” is that prevents someone from getting where they want to be. However, it can also be used to gain insight into how a person is 'put together' and what he considers important. Often people are hardly aware of this themselves and it provides openings to understand why they do the things they do.
'Walking' the logic levels
This exercise starts with “walking the logic levels. Among other things, it helps to get clear whether a goal a person has in mind fits with who they are and want to be. It is important to make the process visual by placing the relevant A4 sheets with the six logical levels written down as floor anchors on the floor in the correct order and briefly explaining in advance what the different logical levels stand for.
Step 1: The facilitator asks you to sit in a “time machine” and imagine that you are five years down the road and everything is running smoothly. In short, your goal has already been achieved.
Step 2: Next, your facilitator invites you to stand on the first floor anchor, which symbolizes the environment, and tell about her environment. In doing so, the facilitator asks helpful questions such as, “Where are you now? What does it look like? Who else is there? Etc.
Step 3: After this, your supervisor asks you to stand on the second floor anchor that represents “behavior. Your supervisor asks you to imagine exactly what you will be doing five years from now. Then she asks you supportive questions such as, “What exactly do you do? What do you say? Etc.
Step 4: The next step is the floor anchor that stands for “skills. The facilitator asks you what abilities, qualities, talents and skills you then have and which ones you focus on using and again how you feel.
Step 5: After this, your coach invites you to the next floor anchor which stands for “beliefs and values. The facilitator asks you what thoughts and beliefs mean to you.
Step 6: The next floor anchor symbolizes identity. Who are you?
Step 7: After this insight, your facilitator invites you to stand on the last floor anchor of identity. Then it's about meaning. What is important? What is “the meaning of live? What do you get out of bed every day for? Etc.
Step 8: Reflection. After the final floor anchor, the facilitator asks about your experiences and what “walking the logical levels” has given her.
Step 9: With the insight gained, walk down from the higher levels and again ask questions associated with the different levels. Now you walk through the floor anchors in the opposite direction. Instead of being in a time machine five years later you now walk the steps in the present. At each step you dwell on what you are experiencing now. Finally, you come to the floor anchor of “Environment. The idea is that everything has been recorded by your facilitator and as a final step you look at what discrepancies are between the present and five years from now. This tool is a great way to quickly find out what a person's passion is and at what level are any barriers to achieving a particular goal.