Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Beliefs and values (what's important to you)

What we value and the beliefs we hold about life influence the way we think and act. If you don't believe you are good at running meetings it's likely that will affect your capability and be evident to others in the way you behave. Conversely, if you develop your skills and build your confidence in that area you may be surprised to find your belief about your ability has changed. Sometimes we have 'limiting' beliefs about ourselves. Beliefs and values generally operate 'behind the scenes', out of conscious awareness, which is how people come to have strongly held views that influence everything they do and say.

What you hold dear to you and believe to be important has evolved throughout your life. Every experience you've had and every person you've met will have in some way shaped your values and beliefs. Many organizations have a set of values that represent what's important to them. Where there's a mismatch between the values of a company and an employee, or between two colleagues, there's potential for conflict.

Individuals are not always consistent, either, and may simultaneously hold beliefs that are contradictory, and this can result in them feeling pulled in opposite directions or at war with themself.

Identity (who you are)

The identity level involves your sense of who you are - your role(s) in life - and also about who you are not. People sometimes fall into the trap of confusing behavior (what they do) with identity (who they are). This level is about your purpose in life. One way you can think about your identity is in the context of leading a team. You might ask yourself, 'Who am I as a leader?' or 'What kind of leader am I?

Your identity was created out of all the information and influences you have incorporated and learned during your life that have shaped you into the person you feel you are.

Spirituality/connectedness (your higher purpose/contribution to the world)

Not everyone feels comfortable with the word spirituality, but many people feel part of or connected to a larger system in some way. This level is about your higher purpose and what you have to offer society and the world at large. No matter what you spend your time doing your contribution will be experienced by others in some form.

Neurological levels in practice

One way of thinking about the neurological levels is to consider the model as a system. If you make a change at one level there will be a ripple effect throughout the hierarchy. That could start from the bottom and work its way up, or filter down to the bottom from the top. When you become experienced in using it you can check for consistency across the levels. If someone asks you to let them in on a secret, for instance, and you do so, that may create a conflict with your values about integrity and respect for others. You could feel uncomfortable about what you've done because it's out of character with the kind of person you believe you are.