306 Part V: Integrating Your Learning
describe in Chapter 11) is a popular starting point for both information
gathering and analysis of your exemplars.
Here are some initial points to consider about each of your exemplars at the
different levels:
✓ Environment: Where, when, and with whom do they spend their time?
✓ Behaviour: What do they do? What are their habits and strategies?
✓ Capabilities: What skills do they have?
✓ Beliefs and values: What do they believe to be true? What is important
to them?
✓ Identity: What is their sense of themselves? Who are they in this context?
✓ Purpose: What is their sense of purpose and connection to how they fit
into the bigger picture?
You’re human so you come to modelling with your own knowledge and
preconceived ideas. Your model itself acts as a filter on what information you
observe and collect.
Gathering your data
To prevent yourself getting overwhelmed by data, we suggest that you begin
with a mix of two information-gathering approaches:
✓ Unconscious uptake: In this approach, you hang out with your exemplar
as much as you can so that you can intuitively get a sense of how the
person operates. Arrive with no fixed agenda other than to emulate their
breathing and physiology and get a sense of what being in the person’s
shoes is like. Ideally, you start without a model in your head and move
into the second perceptual position where you have deep rapport with
your subject. Notice what you see, hear, and feel. Check out Chapter 7
for more on rapport and understanding other points of view.
✓ Analytical information gathering: In this approach, you can structure
your entire data collection around tools such as the logical levels
explained in Chapter 11. This process is an effective way of building
information, especially when you have limited time and access to your
exemplar.
The NLP tools and techniques that we outline throughout this book can
assist you in developing your information gathering. Your analysis of data
and modelling is an opportunity to refresh your knowledge and hone your
skills. Here’s how:
