Why do different people react and solve problems differently when faced with the same dilemma? Which approach is correct? Let’s first look at the following statements. Without thinking, which one do you prefer?
-
This PPT is beautifully done!
-
You did a great job on this PPT!
-
I can see you have strong abilities!
-
You completely explained what professionalism is!
-
You are a perfectionist!
-
You must be an expert in your company!
These six statements essentially reflect Robert Dilts’ logical levels model. Your preference indicates your primary focus at which level. The logical levels model was organized by Robert Dilts in 1991. The understanding levels were originally called Neuro-Logical Levels and are now referred to as NLP understanding levels (NLP thinking logic levels, where NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming).
Before discussing this model, I want to differentiate between “explanation – understanding – interpretation”. This is essential for comprehending any knowledge, phenomenon, or theory, and it involves three steps. Explanation is highly condensed and expressed in precise language, which can be understood as definitions. Understanding is when we can restate it in our own words; verifying whether we truly understand means being able to articulate it in our own language. Interpretation involves illustrative methods, such as examples, analogies, and common language that clearly convey our understanding. When we attempt to write articles or speak, we are expressing our understanding through interpretation; thus, our interpretation cannot exceed our understanding. When we cannot explain clearly, the only explanation is that we have not thoroughly understood it.
In this world, we assign meanings to every matter related to us. If everyone assigns different meanings, their understanding will also differ. According to NLP understanding levels, our understanding of a matter can be divided into six different levels, which have a hierarchy. When you view a problem from a lower-dimensional perspective, it may seem unsolvable. However, when you look at it from a higher dimension, it may become a simple problem, or even the problem itself may disappear. For example, while instant noodle manufacturers continuously research how to improve the taste of instant noodles, the expansion of food delivery services has greatly reduced the demand for instant noodles.
Now let’s detail these six levels, the characteristics of people at different understanding levels, and their problem-solving approaches. The higher the understanding level, the stronger the problem-solving ability, making them the talents our society needs. Take a look at which level you are at.
What is the Six Levels Model/Theory of NLP
1. Environment (Environment): The external material and social environment, such as time, place, people, events, conditions, etc.
2. Behavior (Behavior): Our actions and reactions in a specific environment.
3. Capabilities (Capabilities): Our skills and strategies.
4. Beliefs (Beliefs): Our views about ourselves, others, and the world.
5. Values (Values): Our deep-seated beliefs and principles that determine our actions and choices.
6. Identity (Identity): Our self-perception and self-identity.
7. Mission/System (Spirituality): Our understanding of the purpose, meaning, and mission of life, i.e., “My relationship with the world.” (This level was added later by successors based on the original author’s work)
In NLP, environment, behavior, and capabilities are referred to as the lower three levels, belonging to the conscious layer;
while beliefs, values, and identity are referred to as the upper three levels, belonging to the subconscious layer.
Our brains process everything at six levels, which are: Spiritual, Identity, Beliefs, Values, Capabilities, Behavior, and Environment.
1. Spiritual (System)
Spiritual refers to my relationship with other people and things in the world. When a person talks about the meaning of their life or a company discusses its contribution to society, it involves the “spiritual” level.
For example, I live to enjoy life; I live to help more people solve their psychological problems; I live to help people find better housing; I live to make roads smoother, etc.
2. Identity
How a person or a company sees itself (Who am I?). Defining oneself or describing one’s positioning involves the meaning of identity. Following the above (spiritual) meaning, it is about “what identity I am prepared to adopt to realize the meaning of life.” For example, I want to become an excellent psychological counselor, a road and bridge designer, an astronaut, a doctor, an architect, a lawyer, an artist, etc.
3. Beliefs, Values
To align with the aforementioned identity, what beliefs and values do I need? Everyone living in this world must already have an unconscious identity and a set of related beliefs and values. They determine our attitude towards everything we do, but they do not often emerge consciously. Generally speaking, only when reflecting on one’s life or learning NLP does a person think about identity and beliefs/values issues. The common problems at the beliefs/values level are:
– Why do (or not do) this?
– What significance does it have (important)?
– How should it be?
– What benefits does it bring me?
For example, a teacher’s belief is that they must set an example, so they pay great attention to their behavior in public. They have their own understanding of society, their own values, and behavioral rules. These manifest as “How can I wear such clothes as a teacher?” “I cannot joke in public.” “I need to present myself more seriously.” “As a soldier, I must be very rigorous in my work.”
4. Capabilities
This level involves how a person recognizes their available choices (Is there a choice, or must I do this?). Every choice represents a capability, so the more choices, the greater the capability. What we generally refer to as capability superficially refers to skills: knowing English, using a computer, or performing a specific task with a certain technique. However, upon closer examination, they are actually more choices. Emotions also represent capabilities and fall under this level.
A person’s sense of mission (spiritual level) determines their identity, identity then determines what beliefs they will have, and beliefs directly impact their capabilities. Capabilities refer to what they can do in society and what they excel at, while also limiting what they are not good at or cannot do in society. For example, a teacher excels at imparting knowledge and skills to students, and they can navigate easily with students in school, but they may struggle to handle complex relationships in social settings.
5. Behavior
This level refers to “What to do?” and “Have I done it?”, which involves the selection and actual exercise of capabilities, that is, my actual operations in the environment.
Your capabilities naturally determine what kind of behavior you will exhibit.
6. Environment
“Environment” includes everything outside the body, i.e., external conditions. All kinds of people, events, things, time, place, money, and equipment in the world belong to the “environment”.
The previous five levels determine the social class you live in and the social resources you can access or receive support from.
The lower three levels from environment to capabilities are encountered consciously every day, thus they are dominated by consciousness. The higher three levels from beliefs, values to spirituality are rarely consciously thought about in our daily lives, so they are often overlooked. In fact, everything we do in life is governed by the upper three levels. They are controlled by the subconscious, which is often difficult to articulate, yet they are the determining factors in success or failure in life. It can be said that the lower levels from environment to capabilities are merely reflections or displays of the higher three levels in real life.
The highest (or deepest) realm of a person is identity, so generally, only the lower five levels of understanding are utilized. Problems at lower levels are easier to solve. Most everyday problems are at the environment and behavior levels; when problems are at the beliefs or identity levels, they are more difficult to resolve. Generally speaking, a lower-level problem is easier to find solutions for at a higher level. Conversely, a high-level problem is difficult to effectively address using a lower-level solution.
When we complain, we often focus on the environment, behavior, and capabilities levels, unaware that there are beliefs, values, identity, and mission above. If there are frequent floods, if you only clear the river and strengthen the dam downstream without planting trees and conserving soil upstream, you will always be exhausted.
When a person does anything, if they can align all six levels, they will be cohesive in body and mind, fully committed to doing it, both happy and effective. Conversely, if a task is unsuccessful, or there is pressure or emotion, there must be an inconsistency among the six levels.
The understanding levels allow us to simply recognize the underlying reasons for problems or troubles, thereby enabling us to address them more quickly with a “fundamental” attitude. Those studying NLP will not achieve high accomplishments if they only focus on behavior or capabilities. All NLP masters must master beliefs/values and identity, even at the spiritual level, with exceptional understanding and insight.
This also explains why the true essence of NLP is not in its techniques but in changing people’s mindsets. Techniques only change behavior or add choices, while mindset involves beliefs/values or identity, and even the spiritual level.
The concept of “Three Wins” is the simplest realization at the spiritual level. The seven words “I am good, you are good, the world is good” affirm my relationship with the world and the positive effects in this regard.
PS: About NLP
NLP is the abbreviation for Neuro-Linguistic Programming. N (Neuro) refers to the nervous system, including the brain and thought processes;
L (Linguistic) refers to language, more accurately, the process from sensory signal input to meaning formation;
P (Programming) refers to a specific set of instructions to produce certain outcomes.
This means our habits in thinking and behavior can be changed just like updating software in a computer. Hence, NLP is explained as the study of how our brains work.
The main discoverers of NLP are John Grinder and Richard Bandler. Grinder is one of the world’s most renowned linguists, and Bandler is a mathematician, Gestalt psychologist, and computer expert. They founded “NLP Training” in 1976, which is widely used in corporate training. Many world-famous figures, including former US President Bill Clinton, Microsoft leader Bill Gates, and director Steven Spielberg, have received NLP training.
If you also want to learn psychology
And become a psychological counselor
Scan the code for more learning information!
