Are You Climbing the Wrong Ladder?

Discover a simple tool that helps your team stop jumping to conclusions and start collaborating.

May 12, 2025

WHY YOUR TEAM SEES THINGS DIFFERENTLY (AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT)

Ever sat in a meeting where everyone experienced the same event but walked away with totally different conclusions?

You’re not alone. And the issue isn't your team. It’s how humans are wired.

This week, we’re talking about the Ladder of Inference — a simple framework that explains why people jump to conclusions and how you can guide them toward clarity.

Here’s the gist:

We start with data — everything we see or hear.

We select certain data based on what we notice.

We interpret it, layering in our own experiences and assumptions.

We draw conclusions, often without realizing how we got there.

The problem? Everyone selects and interprets data differently. That’s how misalignment happens.

But when you use this ladder intentionally, you can:

Unpack misunderstandings before they become conflicts.

Slow down the "story" we tell ourselves.

Get your team aligned on what really matters.

In This Episode Your Team Will Learn

-A breakdown of the Ladder of Inference

-How to spot when someone is halfway up the ladder

-Questions that help your team climb back down and realign

Discussion Questions

When was the last time your team misread a situation? What assumptions were made?

How might the Ladder of Inference help create better dialogue and decisions?

Leaders don't just react. They reflect. Use the Ladder of Inference to slow down, think clearly, and lead with purpose.

Forward this to a teammate who's halfway up the ladder!