S02 Ep87 Limbo and Ladder of Inference

Ever Better Today

How do you respond when you ask a question and don’t get an answer?

When you don’t receive a “yes” or a “no” do you assume it’s a maybe? Do you assume you did something wrong and it’s a “no”? Do you assume a “yes” is coming?

The Ladder of Inference is a model that describes how our minds work when faced with uncertainty.

Do you tend to climb a positive or a negative ladder of inference? Most of us lean toward the negative

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Ladder of Inference

This is a model that describes the steps that we take, mentally, to reach a conclusion and then take an action.

Here are the “rungs” of the Ladder of Inference from a negative perspective…

Selected Reality

This is where you are selecting the “facts” that work best for your situation and your beliefs.

Interpreted reality

Based on those selected facts, you add negative meaning to the situation or to that silent response you are experiencing.

Assumptions

Here you are assuming that the silence means “no” based on your interpreted reality and that your proposal will be rejected by your client.

Conclusion

In this rung, you convince yourself that silence equals a no!

Beliefs

Now your assumptions which became your conclusion are set in your mind as a belief. However, you haven’t checked the facts and if you had researched further or given it more time, you may have identified a different situation.

Action

Now you take action based on your negative belief. Perhaps you reach out to your client with a nasty note and cause unnecessary turmoil. Oh my!

Here’s how to use the Ladder of Inference in a positive way…

• Recognize that a silent response might mean they are reviewing your proposal and need more time.
• When you’re in limbo, stop yourself from taking a negative mental journey by taking positive actions. Consider reaching out to others, networking, contacting potential clients, or exercising.
• Reach out to someone whose opinion your respect to get a broader perspective. This will help every time!

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