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

Who / What ....... specifically?

Vague Verbs

How ...... specifically?

Comparison

Compared to what?

Opinions

According to whom? Who says? What would happen ....?

Universals

All? Everyone? Every time?

Rules

What would happen of you did? (didnt)?

Distortions

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

Statement

Lost Performative
Where the authority
behind the statement is
hidden
Mind Reading

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

Coaching and NLP

Response

It's bad to be late.

Its wrong to smoke

She doesn't like me

They make me angry

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

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?

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

I'm a better person

Its not there

No one loves me

Better than who?

Whats not where?
Who doesnt love you

18th April 2007

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

Humanistics Consultancy and Development