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When Growth Is Diffi cult

point of discussion is lost among secondary bones of contention. It’s
a place we’ve all been and a hard one from which to return, especially
when the pressure to come to an agreement is strong.
What causes these disagreements? Why do some people have to
struggle so hard to see our version of reality and vice versa? In part,
it’s because our defi nition of reality often includes more components
than we realize.
Let’s take a simple example. Imagine yourself attending a presenta-
tion about company revenue. You see it, think about it, and decide
what it means. This seems simple, but as Figure 6.2 indicates, fi ve
building blocks actually make up your reality; in other words, fi ve
components of your experience get you from the information “out
there” to the reality you experience as your own.
Start on the left with the most objective of the fi ve building blocks:
information. Notice that the fi gure includes both the factual content
and the person presenting it. The factual information, the way it’s
displayed, how well it’s explained, and the presenter’s nonverbal com-
munication cues are all part of this component. This information is
the initial stimulus you receive that leads you to your version of “real-
ity.” It’s your starting point, but not your whole journey.

FIGURE 6.2 The five building blocks of reality

“It” “You”

Information Situation Interpretation Approach Beliefs

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