[Neurons] 2012 Meta Reflections #38

[L. Michael Hall]

From: L. Michael Hall

Meta Reflections 2012  #38

July 30, 2012

Empowerment Series #24

 

 

 

THE POWER OF META-DETAILING

 

 

What do you think when you first look at the title of this post?  Unlike
other "powers" that I've written about, this "power" may strike you as a
strange power- the power of meta-detailing?  So first of all you may be
wondering, what is meta-detailing?  It is not just details.  If it was that,
I would have written "details" or "detailing."  Nor is it just a meta-level
awareness, that is, the big picture.

 

Somehow it is a combination of details and the global perspective.  I first
put these two words together some years ago, when I actually wrote an entire
book to describe and provide examples of meta-detailing.  Today in that
book, Sub-Modalities Going Meta, meta-detailing is described as one of the
key facets of "genius."  And where did I get that idea?  From Robert Dilts
and his series of books, Strategies of Genius.  In fact there's a whole
chapter in that book on Meta-Detailing (see Chapter 17).

 

So what is meta-detailing?

The meta is the big picture, the gestalt, the overview or generalization
while the details are the specifics of that larger image or understanding.
In terms of the Meta-Programs Model, the meta is the general or global
perspective and the details refer to the specifics.  Now structurally in a
holistic experience of excellence, the meta will govern the details.  This
is what we call meta-detailing.   The meta provides the larger perspective,
the details gives the specifics that pick out the sensory-based data.

 

Meta-detailing as a process therefore holds two things together in a
creative tension.  In meta-detailing you are able to focus on the crucial
and essential details of a concept (a belief, value, understanding, etc.)
which makes it real and actionable.  Robert Dilts describes the genius of
Walt Disney and how he could take a larger-level concept like "charming" in
the animal characters he created in his art and movies (like Mickey Mouse)
and detail such "charm" into long eye-lashes and dimples in the cheeks.

 

To meta-detail, start with a meta-level frame which you want to actualize.
You then identify the critical, essential details of that frame which
translates the higher into the lower.  What does that higher level
phenomenon look or sound like when you specify its details?

 

The meta-detailing process synthesizes the polar ends of the
general/specific meta-program.  It creates a holistic synergy so that you no
longer are pulled apart by the either-or frame.  No longer is it a matter of
"being either global or detailed."  Now you can be both at the same time.
Now you can sequence both so that you can focus in on details from the
perspective of some meta-frame.  And because of this you can now sort out
the trivial details from the details that matter and then zoom in on the
relevant details in just the right way.

 

Whether in your meta-program you are more naturally a "global" thinker or a
"specific" thinker, you can expand your meta-program so that you can operate
more holistically and synergistically.  If you posit that you have to be one
way or the other indicates that you are operating within an either-or
framework that views this meta-program (and probably others) as a
dichotomous choice.  So what's the solution?  Meta-state that either-or
frame so that you can operate from a more systemic frame, a both-and frame
which moves beyond dichotomizing to synergizing.  

[There's a lot more to say about this.  For a pattern for expanding
meta-programs, see Figuring Out People and the chapter on changing
meta-programs.  This is also something that we focus on and deal with in
Coaching Mastery, module III of Meta-Coaching, so if you need a coach,
search out for a Licensed Meta-Coach!]

 

Meta-Detailing then stands in contrast with the two polar opposites.  First
it stands in contrast to the not-so-resourceful experience of "getting lost
in details."  Usually this means lost in irrelevant details.   And that is a
problem.  What details are relevant?  What details are core, essential, and
critically important?  The problem with details that are not governed by a
meta-level frame is that you can get lost in details that do not matter.

 

Conversely, meta-detail also stands in contrast to getting lost in
abstractions- global and general ideas that may be noble ideas, inspiring
ideas, fabulous ideas, etc., but ideas that are so much in La La Land that
they could never be actualized in life on planet Earth as we know it.

 

The power of meta-detailing is that it gives your "genius" state of
engagement, focus, and flow a specificity that enables you to make real your
higher level concepts.  Now you have a laser-beam focus which directs you
about what to do, how to do it, where to do it, when to do it, etc.

 

There's a story told in NLP circles about the furnace repairman who came
into a home, looked over the furnace, and then tapped on a certain pipe two
times, and then charged the home owner $100.  The home owner was shocked and
furious.

"Why are you charging me $100?  It only took you two minutes and all you did
was tap on a pipe.  Give me a detail bill."

So he did:  "$1 for tapping.  $99 for knowing where to tap, how to tap, and
that tapping is the solution."

 

That's meta-detailing.  In the communication of change and transformation,
meta-detailing is that genius perspective of knowing, seeing, and responding
effectively to the critical leverage points where a very small action or
intervention can result in very large and effective results.  In
meta-detailing, you develop a laser-beam focus on the critical details of
something, those details which make up "the difference that makes a
difference."  And when you can do that, you have the power of precision, the
power of leverage, and the power of relevance. 

 

 

 

Neuro-Semantic News

.        In just over 3 weeks we begin the Coaching Mastery which is Module
III of Meta-Coaching in Europe, specifically in Brussels, Belgium -- the
Coaching Boot Camp in Europe!   August 25 through Sept. 1.

 

Mario Mason, Co-Sponsor

Germaine Rediger, Co-Trainer and Co-Sponsor 

L. Michael Hall Ph.D  trainer 




Where: Holiday Inn Express Gent, Akkerhage 2 - 9000 Gent - Belgium 

website: www.metacoachtrack.com  

For more information please contact: Germaine Rediger - IPhone +32 474
719469 

email: germaine at indialogue.eu 

 

 

 

 

L.  Michael Hall, Ph.D. ---  Neuro-Semantics International

Neuro-Semantics Executive Director  ----   <http://www.neurosemantics.com/>
www.neurosemantics.com

P.O. Box 8

Clifton, CO.  81520 USA                              

1 970-523-7877                                               

     

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For world-class Coach Training --- see Meta-Coaching System at
<http://www.meta-coaching.org/> www.meta-coaching.org and at
<http://www.metacoachfoundation.org> www.metacoachfoundation.org  

 

Neuro-Semantics launched the New Human Potential Movement in 2007, for
information about the Self-Actualization workshops, go to
<http://www.self-actualizing.org/> www.self-actualizing.org

 

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