The Ladder of Inference was proposed as a tool for trying to ensure decisions are based on hard reality and facts rather than wrong conclusions or assumptions, its understanding can empower and enable leaders to reduce potentially very damaging business relationships. This was back in the 1970s. The Ladder of Inference describes many moves through a series of mental steps, often very rapidly, to come to a conclusion, based on ‘data’ received. This data can be visual, kinaesthetic, auditory or something you have read. If you’ve ever been accused of, or suspected anyone else of, putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 – then applying the principles behind the Ladder of Inference will be beneficial to you.
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