DILTS Pyramid of Logical Levels

 

The Dilts Pyramid of Logical Levels is a holistic decision-making framework that provides a structured approach to understanding and influencing various factors that contribute to our choices.

• Structured like a pyramid (hierarchy)
• The function of each level is to synthesize, organize and direct the interactions on the level below
• When you change things higher up, lower systems need to be changed in order to support it. But this does not necessarily work the other way around (lower changes, affect higher)

Considerations (factors affecting the decision):

Environment, Behavior, Capability, Belief, Values, Identity, Purpose

Lower levels represent concrete thoughts and actions vs. higher levels are complex, abstract and meaningful. To identify the level someone maybe working on, you can analyze the language they use when they present a problem/situation.

1. Environment (Lowest Level): external conditions that would affect a person/organization

2. Behavior: Encompassing individual actions and words. For a group, this would be patterns of work or interactions.

3. Capabilities: Individual (learning, decision making, creativity) Organization (infrastructure supporting communication, innovation and planning)

4. Values & Beliefs: What are the values and beliefs that underpin each capability? Finding meaning

5. Identity: Organizational sense of identity - vision and mission (who we are now)

6. Vision: force that guides and shapes the life of an individual or business, what is the purpose of the institution as a whole? (where we want to be)

IN PRACTICE:

1. Collect as much information regarding your problem as possible

2. Determine the level of your problem according to the Dilts pyramid (you will understand what is causing it and what can impact further changes)

3. Finding a solution at higher levels of the pyramid

REFLECTION:

I definitely think this is a useful model. It links perfectly to the Congruency Model where the Vision of the organization/individual is the starting and ending point to all decisions. It is much easier to filter out "poor" decisions when you are able to initially identify whether or not they align with one's vision. The success of any person or organization is solely determined by the execution or achievement of the outlined vision. The other component I really love about DILTS model is that it tackles problems/solutions at a systemic level. It makes finding solutions to root problems much easier as you would identify changes in levels above the particular problem.

I think this model would be best used when dealing with problems that arise from systemic challenges.