From the knowledge base we learn that psychology, coaching and management theory and practice is extensive and complex. The silm® model integrates these different perspectives in management psychology to underpin personal and organizational development towards optimum performance with well-being. The first fundamental postulate is that real physical structures, the body, brain and the physical world underpin and shape the virtual existence of human beings in the worlds they create. Thus we can get to know the given physical World and how we usually respond to it. As the human brain evolved discrete mental processes, both conscious and unconscious, extended the range of human possiblities beyond basic emotions. The SILM® model represents four significant modes of thought described as 'mental gears™', S-patial, I-ntuitive, L-ogical and M-aterial. Hence humans have for example the capacity to understand the concept of a universe, come up with new ideas, work with numbers and act in the physical world in different ways. The second fundamental postulate is that human beings live in-the-World, not one, but many worlds. The natural world, the social world, political and legal worlds and so on. Hence, given alternative 'mental gears™' and different worlds, people may share the same space but move in very different worlds. That is, we potentially have a choice about how we live. Different ways of Being-in-the-World have a consequence for our 'inner world'. We know if something is right for us or not, we feel it. The third postulate assumes that, whilst some human behaviour may be common to all, genetic disposition ensures significant individual variation. And as we respond emotionally to our environment and learn from experience a degree of plasticity tempers genetic influence in a unique way. Therefore getting to know ourselves, our personal strengths and weaknesses, is important if we wish to develop. A fourth postulate suggests that over time, as we get to know and become one with the World, we develop ideas and routines that make it easier to go about our daily lives. Usually these ideas and routines help us to live the life we choose, but sometimes they can work against us. And a fifth postulate; through virtual existence humans uniquely live (ex-ist) in 'parallel time', able to experience an emotional response in the present to thoughts of the past or future. Hence we can benefit from past experience or be hindered by it, optimistic about the future, or fear it. Whatever, we are always moving towards something, concerned for our Being-in-the-World. Back to Top