The Meta-model (1) The Precision Model

The precision model is a chunked down version of the Meta-model. Grinder worked with this more in a business context. The model is made up of 7 categories and each has a response: Fuzzy Nouns Vague Verbs Comparison Opinions Universals Rules Distortions Who / What ....... specifically? How ...... specifically? Compared to what? According to whom? Who says? What would happen ....? All? Everyone? Every time? What would happen of you did? (didnt)? Cause Effect - How does x make you y? Mind Reading - How do you know? Interpretation - How does x mean y?

Fuzzy Nouns - We respond to nouns as the names of things. A chair is a chair isn't it? Yes, if all we need to know is that it is something to sit on. However, it may be of significance to know what kind of chair it is - an arm chair, rocking chair, kitchen chair, or stool. Some very expensive mistakes have been made, making the wrong assumption. Statement I need a new job Costs have gone up They just don't seem to care anymore Productivity is the key Response What job specifically? Which costs in particular have risen? Who specifically doesn't seem to care? What in particular needs to be produced?

Vague Verbs - Similarly with verbs we can make assumptions about what the other person means, when there is a range of possible meanings. Statement I need to improve customer relations I will prepare the report for you Morale is not what it should be Response How specifically will you improve them? How will you prepare the report? How, in particular is morale not what it should be?

Comparisons - These are usually indicated by the addition of er to the end of words better, nicer, bigger, faster, cleaner. If the person communicating misses out what it is 'better' than, the field is wide open for miscommunication. You will also spot the words too, more, less. Statement This is too expensive The results have been better The costs are 30% higher
Coaching and NLP 18th April 2007

Response Expensive? Compared to what? In comparison with what? Higher than what/when?
Humanistics Consultancy and Development

Opinions as Facts These are statements where the speaker is expressing an opinion as if it were fact. These are value judgements and are formed from a fixed way of thinking. Gently challenging this can bring new possibilities into the conversation. Statement This is the right way to do it Its bad to be inconsistent Response According to whom? Who says?

Universals - are indicated by words like all, every, always, never, no one. They may or may not be true. However, it is often useful to question them. Statement All of the figures are wrong I always feel nervous No one can understand him Response All? You mean every single one? Always? Was there ever a time when you weren't? No one?

Rules - When we hear words like should, shouldn't, must, can't, ought, they imply rules which have to be obeyed (there's another one!) By questioning the basis of these rules we can open up new possibilities. Statement We should do this now I can't do that We mustn't miss this opportunity Response What would happen if we didn't? What would happen if you did? (What stops you?) What will happen if we do?

Distortions Cause & Effect - How does x make you y? Statement Response If he ever leaves me I'll be so sad. How would him leaving you cause you to feel sad? Mind Reading- How do you know? Statement Response He doesn't like me How do you know he doesn't like you? Interpretation - How does x mean y? Statement Response His being late means he doesn't How does his being late mean he doesn't love you? love me Courtesy of Derek Jackson of the Northern School of NLP (www.nlpand.co.uk)

Coaching and NLP

18th April 2007

Humanistics Consultancy and Development

The Meta-Model (2)

Note there are different versions of the Meta-model the model below is that of the Northern School of NLP. Other versions subdivide patterns and have additional patterns. DISTORTIONS Pattern Lost Performative Where the authority behind the statement is hidden Mind Reading Statement It's bad to be late. Its wrong to smoke They make me angry

Response Who says? According to who? How do you know it's wrong/bad? How do you know she doesn't like you? Whats your evidence? How do they do that? Because? How does her being late mean shes not interested in the job?

She doesn't like me

Cause & Effect Statement implies that A causes B Complex Equivalence Where a means or is equivalent to b GENERALIZATIONS Pattern Universal Quantifiers Words like: always, all, everyone, never, no one Modal Operators of possibility: words like can't, won't Modal Operators of necessity: words like must, have to DELETIONS Pattern Nominalisations - Where a verb has become a noun Unspecified Verbs where some detail of the action is not specified Comparative Simple Unspecified Referential Index

She was late for work that means she isnt interested in the job

Statement I always get lost Everyone laughs at me I cant do that They wont do that I must do this He should have done that

Response Has there ever been a time when you didnt get lost? Everyone? Have you ever been able to do that? What would happen if they could? What would happen if you didnt

Statement She values her freedom He rejected me

Response What about being free is important to her? How specifically did he reject you?

I'm a better person Its not there No one loves me

Better than who? Whats not where? Who doesnt love you

Coaching and NLP

18th April 2007

Humanistics Consultancy and Development