The Action Filter in NLP helps us understand how individuals respond when challenges or changes arise. Do you immediately take charge, or do you wait until circumstances force your hand? This filter reveals how much urgency you feel to act and how much thought or reflection you invest before doing so.
Action vs. Reflection – Not Opposites
In many business and NLP contexts, action and reflection are mistakenly seen as opposites. However, thinking is a form of action—it consumes around 20% of our body’s energy. If action and reflection were true opposites, it would mean when you’re not thinking, you must be doing something physically, and when not acting, you must be reflecting. Clearly, this doesn’t align with human experience.
This misunderstanding has contributed to a divide between academic and business thinking—suggesting you must be either a thinker or a doer, when in fact, both play vital roles in effective behavior.
The Action-Reflection Matrix
Instead of being opposite ends of a spectrum, action and reflection operate on two separate axes, creating a four-quadrant matrix that describes different response styles:
1. Active/Inactive Axis
This axis describes your physical and nervous system response. At one end is high activity (linked to the fight-or-flight response), and at the other, a state of rest (parasympathetic calm).
2. Reflective/Non-Reflective Axis
This axis tracks mental engagement. Being reflective means you observe and evaluate situations. Non-reflective responses involve automatic actions or the absence of conscious thought. Note: being dissociated or non-reflective doesn’t always mean you’re passive.
The Four Action Filter Styles
✅ Proactive (Active + Reflective)
This is the ideal combination in complex or high-stakes environments. You take thoughtful action, balancing analysis with movement. Think of leaders who assess risks, consider feedback, and then act decisively. This aligns with Stephen Covey’s idea of proactivity—intentional, informed action.
⚡ Reactive (Active + Non-Reflective)
Here, individuals leap into action without much conscious thought. This works well in dynamic situations—sports, performances, or emergencies—where instinct and speed are critical. These individuals are doers, ready to act immediately without overanalyzing.
🧘 Inactive (Inactive + Non-Reflective)
This state may represent deep calm or, at the extreme, total disengagement. In mindfulness or meditation, this can be restorative. However, if persistent, it can resemble apathy or withdrawal, even leading to psychological stagnation.
🧠 Reflective (Reflective + Inactive)
These individuals invest significant time in thinking but may hesitate to act. They excel at planning, weighing consequences, and envisioning outcomes. While this can prevent rash decisions, too much reflection without follow-through can lead to missed opportunities.
Summary
Understanding the Action Filter helps us evaluate not just whether we act, but how intelligently we do so—balancing urgency with thoughtful consideration. Mastering both action and reflection leads to better decisions, stronger leadership, and a more resilient mindset.