The NLP Logical Levels
The NLP Logical Levels (or Neuro-Neuro-Logical Levels) is a valuable tool for organising our thinking, information gathering, and communication.
Using the model enables us to understand in a clear and structured manner what makes a person 'tick'.
The Logical Levels is model which we can run in the background while having a conversation with somebody. In a coaching session, for example, we can use it to clearly identify whether a difficulty which they may be experiencing is the result of
- not having appropriate skills to do it
- not being able to motivate themselves to deal with it
- their having certain beliefs about the issue which is getting in their way
- considering that it is something that doesn't fit with their self-image
- they cannot recognise how it contributes to their vision for their life.
The Logical Levels can be used to organise our thinking about an individual, a group or an organisation.
| Mission & Vision Where the person is going with their life, the people and activities and places that are central to this vision for their life/future - and perhaps the contribution they intend to make to the world. |
| Identity Their self esteem, their sense of self, what they identify with, etc. This can include identifying with their job, marriage, religion, etc. it can also include how they interpret events in terms of their own self-worth. |
| Beliefs & Values Whether they believe something is possible or impossible, whether they believe it is necessary or unnecessary, whether or not they feel motivated about it. |
| Capability & Skills Whether or not they have innate capabilities and/or learned skills for dealing appropriately with an issue. |
| Behaviour Their external behaviours. This could include, for example, what an observer would see or hear or feel when they are engaged in a particular activity. |
| Environment Their surroundings: the people and places etc that they are interacting with, and responding to, when they are engaged in a particular activity. |
Why use this?
The Logical Levels is one of the most valuable of all the NLP tools and skill with it adds a quality of precision and depth to both our communication with, and our understanding of, other people.
This is way, for example, participants on our Core Skills training programme learn it at the beginning of this six-day training - and, to ensure a high level of skill afterwards, will continually use it throughout that programme.
The Logical Levels provides a structured way of understanding what's going on in any system including the human personality, a partnership or marriage, a family, a team, a department, or even an organisation.
We can use the model to recognise how the various levels interact and how they are related. And it provides a means of
- Asking for, and verifying the relevance of, information
- Keeping track, in a highly structured manner, of the huge amount of information is often available when discussing an issue
- Recognising at which level a problem is occurring
- Recognising the most appropriate level at which to target the solution.
Practical Applications
In everyday life
The above version of the Logical Levels is based on the original model which was developed by Robert Dilts and Todd Epstein and was based on the work of anthropologist Gregory Bateson and philosopher Bertrand Russell.
There is more information about NLP here
NLP FAQ
Why learn NLP
How to learn NLP
Where to learn NLP - and how to choose a training provider
NLP Core Skills - our course in the New Forest
What's special about Pegasus NLP Trainings
What people have said about our courses
How we integrate NLP with outdoor activities
