New Behavior Generator

The Format

The New Behavior Generator is a modeling strategy for new behaviors. It can be used to change, create, or simply adopt new behavior from someone else.

Many abilities and behaviors people learn and use naturally—such as walking, talking, biking, or using utensils—are developed through observing and imitating role models (parents, siblings, or others nearby). Children do it naturally and playfully, steadily developing new behavioral competencies.

Standard Steps:

1. Choose a Role Model
2. Dissociated Self-Image
3. Associated Self-Image
4. Ecology Check
5. Integration
6. Future Pace
7. Test

Detailed Description:

1. Choose a Role Model

The client imagines a model (role model) who displays the desired behavior in a typical situation. (Possibly place three ground anchors.)

• Pick a suitable model for the desired behavior and a scenario where that model excelled.
• Describe the scene from an observer’s viewpoint: the coachee sees, hears, and observes the model from outside.
• Clarify the model’s key behaviors. Possibly slow the mental film or alter angles if needed.

“You see the scene clearly. How do you know they’re doing exactly what you want? What’s essential?”

2. Dissociated Self-Image

Position 1: The client observes the model’s context and behavior.
They then remove the model from the scene (but leave its “energy” behind) and place themselves in that spot—still viewed from the outside, as if in a movie. They see, hear, and sense themselves performing the new behavior from a dissociated perspective.
“What doesn’t fit yet? What needs changing? What remains unclear?”
→ If you encounter difficulty, step out, check the model again, maybe adjust either the model (if it’s non-essential) or your self-image (e.g., posture, facial expressions, gestures, tone, speed of speech, age differences, clothing, involved people, etc.).

3. Associated Self-Image

Position 2: The client sees themselves in place of the model from the outside (still dissociated), possibly making minor tweaks. Then they “step into” that new self (associating fully) to experience the new behavior from the inside.
“Does the new behavior fit now? Should anything else change?”
They can move back and forth until everything feels right. Once it does, once more compare it to the model from the outside to ensure all key aspects match.

4. Ecology Check

Confirm that the coachee wants the new behavior with all its potential consequences. If not, adjust. Jump back and forth as needed until it’s all consistent. Then the coachee symbolically “takes in” the new behavior with a short ritual.

5. Future Pace

The coachee visualizes themselves demonstrating the new behavior in a future scenario—experiencing new expressions, gestures, voice, overall presence.

6. Test

Try it in real life as soon as possible. If it’s not perfect, do a quick re-run of the NBG, refining the behavior further.