Strategic Storyboarding

Decison Making With Storyboards

How Can You Be Sure Your Interpretation Is The Right One ?     Use The Ladder of Inference The Ladder of Inference Model is a graphic representation of different ways each person interprets events. This natural selection process is a window to the world of how each of us processes thinking, feelings, emotions and actions relating to everyday events. The further up the ladder of inference you move from the original 'data' the greater the possibility for misinterpretation and error. Use this handy model to help reduce errors and maintain objectivity in daily interactions. The ladder of inference starts at the bottom rung of Data. This refers to specific words, actions or actual statements. Moving up the ladder, the next rung is Selective Focus. This is a specific partial focus on some part of what was said or done. Moving to level three, is Affix Meaning. This is a personal inference, interpretation and conclusion about what we think happened. Continuing to the fourth level, is Assumption. At this level there is an assumption of the cause or motivation of the other person's actions or words. Finally, at the fifth level is Evaluation. At this level, there is a conclusion, evaluation of the other person's words and actions. It's easy to see how a rapid movement up the ladder of inference could cause repeated error. By understanding these steps and slowing down the process, you can check for understanding much earlier on in the ladder. As you can see, this ladder of inference is at work in personal and professional communications. Check it out today as you go through your workday. Here are the five steps starting from bottom to top: Evaluation Attribution Inference Selective Focus Data To put this into action instantly, sketch a chart for yourself. Track your own steps on the ladder in interactions and conversations you have today. Some models of this ladder of inference also add in further specificity to evaluation, by adding the additional steps of belief and action. You can also graph these steps in a circular model. Both the ladder and the circle make it easy to see just how quick it is to assign interpretation to 'data' that may be far from reality. The ladder of inference helps you stay in touch with what's real. Use it to intercept the process of unconscious interpretation and check for understanding and confirmation of what was really meant in the original statement or action. This simple tool can save hours, weeks and months of time that may otherwise take your strategic initiatives off course--it pays to stay real!