Coaching Tool: Ladder of Inference
Ladder of Inference is a coaching tool that helps a coachee to become aware how they process information, make assumptions and form conclusions. Let’s explore this concept.
To make things simple let’s create a persona (Sarah) and apply this tool.
Step 1: Observable Data
The first rung of the ladder is observable data or facts i.e. the information that is available.
Example:
Sarah is a manager at a tech company. She gets an HR data report. The report shows the team’s productivity has plummeted.
Step 2: Selecting Data
Step 2 — Sarah is selecting data from the data set.
She starts seeing some specific information:
- the number of completed projects
- the number of sick days taken by team members
- negative feedback from the customers
Step 3: Adding Meaning
At this step, Sarah starts to add meaning to the selected data.
This is when the interpretation happens.
Sarah thinks:
- 💭 there is a decrease in productivity because my team’s performance has dropped
- 💭 they are taking sick days because they are unhappy here or dissatisfied with the work
- 💭 negative feedback makes sense if the team is unhappy and underperforming
Step 4: Making Assumptions
As Sarah adds meaning to the data, she begins to make assumptions.
- 💭 What if my team’s decline in productivity is because of my poor leadership?
- 💭 What if I am the reason why my team is unhappy?
- 💭 What if I am responsible for how the team’s unhappiness reflects into negative client’s feedback?
Step 5: Drawing Conclusions
Based on her assumptions, Sarah draws conclusions.
- 💭 I am a bad manager
- 💭 I can’t motivate my team
- 💭 My job is in jeopardy because of my team’s performance
Step 6: Taking Actions
Finally, Sarah’s conclusions lead her to take actions.
She may:
- become stressed and anxious
- start micromanaging her team
- consider seeking a new job thinking that her current position is unstable
What is the practical application of this model?
This model can be applied to coaching and just as effectively to self-coaching.
How to apply this model:
1. Recognize the Model: Understand the Ladder of Inference as a common cognitive process. It helps you to start thinking about your thinking.
2. Start with Data: Begin with observable facts related to a situation. What is your data set?
3. Question Assumptions: Challenge your assumptions and beliefs as you move up the ladder.
- Are my assumptions well-founded?
- Am I making any leaps in logic?
- Could there be alternative explanations for the data?
4. Be Mindful of Conclusions: Your conclusions are based on assumptions. How accurate are your assumptions?
5. Consider Consequences: Think about the potential consequences of your conclusions. How can you reverse engineer from the result that you expect?
6. Take Informed Action: Make decisions based on your thought process and awareness. Are you being reactive or proactive?
7. Monitor Outcomes: Assess the results of your actions and adjust if necessary. Iterate and learn. Reevaluate your data, meaning, assumptions, and conclusions. Calibrate your actions.
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