Method

How the method works

The seven logical levels of Robert Dilts, explained: what each level means, the question that surfaces it, and how contradictions across levels create leverage.

Introduction

A model for noticing where your self-talk is incoherent. Robert Dilts stacked seven levels of self-description, from where you are to who you are for. The point is not to sort statements into buckets. The point is to surface contradictions across the levels, because that is where the leverage is.

Dilts originally called these neurological levels and tied them to brain regions. That claim is not supported by neuroscience. Treat the model as a coaching lens for self-description, not a brain map.

The seven levels

Mission For whom? For what? ▶

Linguistic markers

Example
Common mis-classification

Coaching questions

    Identity Who am I? ▶

    Linguistic markers

    Example
    Common mis-classification

    Coaching questions

      Values What matters? ▶

      Linguistic markers

      Example
      Common mis-classification

      Coaching questions

        Beliefs Why? What is true? ▶

        Linguistic markers

        Example
        Common mis-classification

        Coaching questions

          Capability How? What can I do? ▶

          Linguistic markers

          Example
          Common mis-classification

          Coaching questions

            Behaviour What do I do? ▶

            Linguistic markers

            Example
            Common mis-classification

            Coaching questions

              Environment Where? When? With whom? ▶

              Linguistic markers

              Example
              Common mis-classification

              Coaching questions

                Directionality rule

                The alignment principle

                Five pairs to watch (priority order):

                Practical tips