Communication & HR Expert

Model of the World refers to the fact that each person has a different way of seeing the world and interpreting events and communications based upon their individual "Model of the World."

While our natural tendency is to use our own Model to communicate, truly effective communication results when we learn how to adapt our message to use the Model of the other person.

Yes, two people really can see the same thing in two different ways.

You and I can have exactly the same experience and get two different results out of it.

For example, let's say there are two soldiers in Iraq and they are both in vehicles that are attacked. Each of the soldiers have the same experience with basically the same sequence of events. They are the drivers, so they survive. The soldiers next to them in the passenger seats are killed.

The surviving soldiers come back to the United States. One of them comes back and basically is a basket case. He can't deal with life. I'm not criticizing this person, nor am I trying to say anything bad about him. I'm just saying he is deeply affected and is in therapy and on medication for years.

The other soldier comes home after having the exact same experience as the first soldier. When he comes home, do you know what he says? He says, "Thank God I'm alive. Life is too short and I'm going to be the best person I can be."

Now how did two different people get two different results from the exact same experience?

Here's another example: Do you know anyone who had alcoholic parents and they turn out to be an alcoholic? And you say to them, "Why are you an alcoholic?" And they say, "Because my parents were alcoholics."

And then you have a second person who grew up under the same scenario who absolutely won't touch a drop of alcohol. And you say to them, "Why won't you take a drink? We're headed to the bar, why won't you drink?" And they say, "Because my parents were alcoholics."

How is it that we have identical experiences, but two completely different outcomes? It's because of what I call the "Model of the World."

Here's what happens: Events occur. They process inside of our brains in our own "Model of the World" and they come out with meanings - like the two examples above.

Each person's Model of the World is made up of five components:

Do you now understand "Model of the World?" Would you like to discuss it further? I'm available to discuss your questions about values via e-mail.