We live in a world of self-generating beliefs which remain largely untested. We adopt those beliefs because they are based on conclusions, which are inferred from what we observe, plus our past experience. Our ability to achieve the results we truly desire is eroded by our feelings that:
- Our beliefs are the truth
- The truth is obvious
- Our beliefs are based on real data
- The ate we select are the real data
Chris Argyris coined the phrase “ladder of inference” -a common mental pathway of increasing abstraction, often leading to misguided beliefs.
- Take Action based on my beliefs
- Adopt beliefs about the world
- Draw Conclusions
- Make assumptions based on the meanings i added
- Add meanings (cultural & Personal)
- Select “Data” from what i observe
- Observable “Data” & experiences (as video might capture it )