Post by account_disabled on Mar 4, 2024 8:40:21 GMT
“Reflecting calmly, very calmly, is better than making desperate decisions.” This quote from Franz Kafka , one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, fits perfectly with the explanatory model known as the ladder of inferences , a tool that helps us both make better decisions and avoid falling into assumptions and making mistakes. And, both in our professional and personal lives, situations constantly arise that make us make difficult decisions. However, deciding based on assumptions or uncertain information can lead to unsatisfactory results and even more complicated situations. Despite everything, making better decisions is possible if we take a period of reflection where we analyze the situation realistically. This is precisely what the ladder of inferences relies on. Below, we explain what it consists of, what its different levels are and how we can put it into practice to improve our decision making. CTA Post What is the ladder of inferences? The inference ladder is a tool that allows the abstraction process that usually occurs commonly in decision making to be divided into small steps.
The model was first proposed by organizational theorist Chrys Argyris and was popularized by the book The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization , written by scientist and philosopher Peter Senge. To explain the process we carry out in making decisions, which is often more subconscious than we believe, the rungs of a ladder are used as a reference; hence its name. Each step, with a total of seven, represents each of the steps we take until Europe Mobile Number List reaching a conclusion. Therefore, the ladder of inferences allows us to face a reflective period that allows us to analyze the situation realistically. In this way, we can collect more information to make better decisions, avoiding errors due to lack of data, misinterpretations, cognitive biases, beliefs, emotions and other factors that can negatively influence when making a decision. Inference ladder The 7 rungs of the ladder of inferences Even when we consciously think about a problem, the mental decision-making process is so fast and automatic that it is easy to get lost along the way. This can lead to misunderstandings and unwanted conflicts.
Avoid this type of situation, especially when making important decisions, we can use the ladder of inferences, which offers us a series of instructions to reflect on. These are divided into 7 steps that take us from awareness to decision and action: 1. Reality The first rung of the inference ladder invites us to make contact with reality. The objective is to observe the facts or the situation in which we are involved, trying to avoid any type of judgment, to try to see things as they are. Example: Imagine that you have been assigned an important task at work and you are having difficulty completing it. The first step would be to become aware that the assigned task is more complex than what you usually do. 2. Information In the second step, the objective would be to start collecting data that can help us make a decision. At this point, it is important to verify that the data we are using is objective and realistic, since prejudices, beliefs and assumptions are what lead us to make erroneous or poor decisions. Example: After seeing the difficulty of the task, you estimate that you will need more hours to complete it.