What are Logical Levels?
Logical levels, also known as the “neuro-logical levels” or the “logical levels of change,” is a concept used in various fields, including coaching, psychology and organizational development. This model helps individuals and groups to understand the different levels of experience that contribute to a person’s behaviour and identity.
The concept of logical levels was first introduced by Gregory Bateson, a British anthropologist, social scientist and cyberneticist, in the 1950s. Bateson developed the idea of logical levels as part of his work on communication theory and systems thinking. He believed that understanding the various levels of human experience could help individuals and organisations to make positive changes in their behaviour and relationships.
Bateson’s work on logical levels was further developed by Robert Dilts, an American author, trainer and consultant in the field of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). In the 1980s, Dilts expanded on Bateson’s original concept and created the “neuro-logical levels” model, which is widely used in coaching, therapy and personal development.
Why is this model useful?
Today, neuro-logical levels is a widely recognised tool for understanding human behaviour and change. This article will explore the different neuro-logical levels, how I have used them in my coaching practice and finally how you can use them with your clients.
What does the model look like?
This model consists of six levels, each of which represents a different aspect of human experience. I will give you an idea of what each level is addressing and then give a personal illustration of how I might use this in coaching – keeping it as generic as possible to ensure coach/client confidentiality.
The first level of the neuro-logical levels is:
1. Environment: This level represents the external physical environment that a person is in, including the people, objects and surroundings.
Personal Illustration
When working with a client, I may explore their physical environment and support them to identify any factors that could be impacting their productivity or performance.
This could include factors such as the office layout, lighting, noise levels and temperature. Or their home working environment and the many distractions that may be in their immediate environment. Or the use of Zoom/Teams and how they are planning their meetings back-to-back and are not consciously aware of how to manage themselves with the rise in digital communications (the focus of which will be another article!).
By improving the physical environment my client will feel better able to manage themselves and ultimately will be more comfortable, focused and productive.
The second neuro-logical level is:
2. Behaviour: This level represents a person’s observable actions or behaviours that are influenced by their environment.
Personal Illustration
When working with a business client, I explore their observable behaviours and identify any patterns that could be impacting their performance. For example, a client asked me to attend their team meeting as they are finding the team is disengaged and unwilling to contribute. During the meeting, I notice my client is frequently interrupting the team members and stopping them from making a contribution. This was completely unconscious for my client and it was only during our debriefing session that they started to see how their behaviour was actually creating the challenge they were experiencing.
By addressing this behaviour, my client was able to improve their communication skills and create a more collaborative and respectful workplace culture which had a dramatic impact on their team.
The third neuro-logical level is:
3. Capability: This level represents a person’s skills, abilities and competencies, which are developed through learning and practice.
Personal Illustration
For this level, I would explore with my client their capabilities in an area they would like to improve. For example, My client may be struggling to identify their brand. As soon as the word ‘brand’ is mentioned, they throw their hands up in the air and just say they don’t know where to start.
By supporting my client to identify the necessary steps and stages involved, they suddenly have the confidence and capability to start identifying and building their brand just as I knew they could. They just didn’t know how to break down the task. Remember all clients are naturally resourceful, creative and whole. This taps into a coach presupposition about their client and their belief about their client.
The fourth neuro-logical level is:
4. Beliefs and Values: This level represents a person’s beliefs, values and attitudes that influence their behaviour and decision-making.
Personal Illustration
This is where I find I spend most of the time with clients. Exploring their beliefs and values and identifying any that could be limiting their potential.
For example, I may work with a client who holds the belief that they are not capable of taking on a leadership role. By addressing this belief, I can support my client to recognise their strengths and potential. This enables them to start to build the muscle around their confidence to take on new challenges and ultimately embrace the challenge of the new leadership role.
Values is also an interesting area of my work and it is one that really does make a difference. Here at Sandown Business School we are in the process of producing a new e-book on this high-value topic – watch out for more information.
The fifth neuro-logical level is:
5. Identity: This level represents a person’s sense of self, which includes their self-image, self-esteem, and self-concept.
Personal Illustration
This is an area I really enjoy as this is often where transformational change takes place. How a client sees and speaks to themselves internally – has a dramatic impact on their external representation of ‘self’.
An example of this would be when a client states they freeze when presenting in front of large groups. By exploring their identity, I can work with my client to understand where this might have originated, what beliefs/stories are they holding and what past experiences are shaping their current and future sense of identity.
By supporting the client to reframe their current and future self and supporting them to develop a more positive self-image, based on their own adult experiences and current reality and using polyvagal anchors, they can start to turn this experience around. And now – instead of ‘freezing’ in front of a group can move into ‘flowing’ in front of a group. Woohoo!
The sixth neuro-logical level is:
6. Spirituality and Purpose: This level represents a person’s sense of meaning, purpose and connection to something greater than themselves.
Personal Illustration
This is also a rewarding area to work with clients. Exploring with them their sense of purpose and purposes – remembering they may have more than one. When their purpose(s) have been identified, it is moving with the client to explore how this purpose aligns with their work.
For example, working with a senior executive who tells me they are on the verge of burnout. They feel disconnected from their job and struggling with feelings of being overwhelmed.
There are obviously a few different steps involved when working with this type of client and please do not assume my short response here is a quick ‘how-to-fix-someone-with-burnout!’ But one of the ways we can support our clients with this sense of loss is to explore their sense of purpose. What motivates them? Has their purpose become at odds with the values of the organisation they are working with? What steps are open to them to reconnect with their purpose, their values and their overall sense of connection?
As you can see, this level is much deeper and not so easy to give a clear example or direction within this article. This level takes time and understanding. For me, it is ‘always’ a privilege to work with any client at this level. Remember to tread ethically and within your capability.
The other area that is not so frequently addressed is spirituality. Although I am comfortable exploring this with my clients, I notice only a few clients bring up this subject. A sign of our times?!
Final thoughts
Being aware of the neuro-logical levels has been really useful to me in my coaching and mentoring practice. I started studying NLP over 25 years ago and over the years have taken parts of the methodology and woven them into my coaching practice.
The key to using any NLP is to remember to hold your ethical boundaries and to be unattached to your offerings to your client, which is true whether you are in coach role or mentor role. The more attached a coach becomes to being ‘right’ or ‘having the answer’ the less likely the coach is going to be in service of their client.
One of the mantras we use at Sandown Business School is:
‘Power with’ our clients not ‘power over’ or ‘taking power away’.
However, I would love to encourage you to start thinking about neuro-logical levels during your coaching. Start small and maybe work towards the higher levels of this model – with a goal of deepening your practice as you progress. This way you will build a solid, confident and strong practice. The reason for doing this? And here is another of my sayings(!):
“The Client can only go as far as the Coach has already gone”
Pheona Croom-Johnson is Co-Founder of Sandown Business School and Academic Director. She has been in the OD field for over 35 years and is one of a few triple-credentialed Master Coaches (ICF, EMCC and AC). She is also a credentialed Supervisor and Master NLP Trainer. Her practice is formed by a psychological framework using ”pragmatic psychology’ to support, encourage and develop all her clients.