“We start with a clean slate while also standing on the shoulders of the creations of those who came before us. Often these creations are the water to the fish.” — David Foster Wallace.



6 – 0: Pre-test

PERTURB Assumptions Review

Instructions: Choose the letter of the most correct answer.

1. PERTURB is primarily used to:
A. Explore a person’s past
B. Encourage someone to share their story
C. Challenge assumptions
D. Confirm a person’s decisions

2. A key difference between PERTURB and PROBE is:
A. PROBE is non-verbal; PERTURB is verbal
B. PERTURB focuses on storytelling; PROBE does not
C. PERTURB challenges assumptions, while PROBE clarifies within a set context
D. There is no difference

3. PERTURB should be used:
A. Frequently and aggressively to break down resistance
B. When trust is low and energy is missing
C. Sparingly and with compassion, especially when pCc is NOT known.
D. Only after action has been taken

4. Which of the following best represents a PERTURB cue?
A. “What happened next?”
B. “Would you like to add something?”
C. “Is this the most important thing?”
D. “How do you feel about that?”

5. One key reason for using PERTURB is to:
A. Confirm the person’s point of view
B. Accelerate a decision-making process
C. Gently challenge fixed perspectives that may block progress
D. Replace all other inquiry techniques

Answer key to Pre-test



6 – 1: Q&A IN



6 – 2: CONTENT




View | WATCH Video: Mastering PERTURB



SCRIPT: PERTURB
Perturb Assumptions

Welcome!

In this session, we’re going to discuss PERTURB… or Perturb Assumptions, one of the seven skills in the Dynamic Inquiry System Skills (DISS).

Where other skills help expand or explore, PERTURB intentionally tends to question and possibly disrupt. It brings challenge into the inquiry — not to break things down, but to invite or allow transformation.

This skill is subtle and powerful. Used well, it may shake loose fixed assumptions and opens the door to new ways of thinking, feeling, and seeing. Let’s explore how to apply it wisely.

WHO uses PERTURB?

PERTURB is used by helpers, coaches, educators, or leaders who notice that the status quo no longer serves the person being helped (PBH).

It’s a gentle or direct challenge, depending on the situation — and it must be approached with compassion and discretion.

Examples:
• “Do you believe it will always be this way?”
• “Is there a question you need to ask yourself?”

PERTURB works best when the PBH is ready — or approaching a shift.

WHAT does it mean to PERTURB Assumptions?

PERTURB is any cue that invites re-evaluation.

It can be as subtle as a pause or a look, or as clear as a direct question that nudges a person to reflect on their assumptions about their stated or storied reality.

Examples:
• “Is this the most important thing right now?”
• “Is it time to rethink that?”

It doesn’t demand change — it invites it… enables and allows a person to reach a tipping point.

WHEN is PERTURB Best?

PERTURB tends to work best when used indirectly at first… suggestive if sufficient relationship exists.

As trust builds — depending on personality type — it can become more direct.

But one key: the PBH must have enough pCc (potential, CAPACITY, capability) to even consider shifting their assumptions.

Caveat: Don’t intentionally shift people without understanding their “helping structures: cues, scaffolding, support, lift… and protection required to leave the nest they have been living and working in.

Examples:
• “Are you able to reflect on that assumption?”
• “Is taking a different perspective valuable?”

PERTURB may help move someone from a locked-in view to a wider lens… or to take or seek additional perspectives.

WHERE is PERTURB useful?

Anywhere perspective feels stuck, PERTURB can help.

It’s like a mental or emotional laxative — it softens the stuck places and allows energy to move again.

Used skillfully, it can dissolve the borders in narrow thinking and open up options that weren’t visible before.

Examples:
• “Is there something blocking you?”
• “Are you stuck?”

WHY use PERTURB?

“You can’t change living systems but you can perturb them and they might change as a result on their own.”

Because fixed assumptions may block or hinder insight.

PERTURB is strategic, not casual. It’s used sparingly, so it doesn’t “off-put” or alarm the person you’re helping.

And never confuse perturbation with sarcasm — sarcasm can shut down trust if used in the wrong moment or tone.

Examples:
• “Could you look at this differently?”
• “Really…?” (Used with pause and care)

HOW does PERTURB work?

Think of PERTURB like nitroglycerin — small, intentional doses can be powerful. But mishandled, it can create resistance or even do harm.

Use Humaning language to offer or allow new perspective:
• Verbs like is, could, would, did, does, was, were
• Simple cues like:
• “…Because…?”
• “…Problem…?”
• Or even a well-timed pause after repeating a phrase the PBH just used

The goal isn’t to provoke — it’s to “free-up, enable and allow.”




In closing here are Suggestions for Practice

Remember…

PERTURB with compassion!

Use it to shift, not to shame.

Let assumptions surface and invite them to soften… to be held up to the light — so to speak.

As you go about your conversations and interactions, notice where you or others are locked into old stories or limiting beliefs.

Ask yourself:
• “Is it time to gently PERTURB this?”

Try one subtle cue. A pause. A one-word “oneder.” You might be surprised what shifts.

Thanks for listening — now go practice PERTURB, and see what truths want to emerge from the noise of assumption.

Meet people where they are!



(C) Leadership University



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6 – 3: APPLICATION




Class exercise TBA

6 – 4: Q&A OUT



“When one speaks in public he should consider the delicacy of superstitious ears; he should not shock anybody; he should wait till the time is sufficiently enlightened to let him think out loud.” – Frederick the Great



6 – Reference

Helping Functions
• Cuing
• Scaffolding
• Supporting
• Lifting
• Protecting
• Guiding
• Reaching Out
• Betterment: Helping People Generate better Lives… as Generati.




Post-Test
PERTURB Assumptions Review

Instructions: Choose the letter of the most correct answer.

1. PERTURB is most effective when:
A. A person is already highly confident
B. The helper wants to move the conversation quickly
C. There is readiness to consider new perspectives and sufficient pCc
D. A direct answer is needed immediately

2. Why must PERTURB be used with discretion?
A. It’s a passive approach to coaching
B. It’s not compatible with introverts
C. If used without care, it may shut down trust
D. It’s only useful in group settings

3. Which of the following best reflects the HOW of PERTURB?
A. Give a list of right actions
B. Use sarcasm to make a point
C. Offer simple cues, one-word questions, or repeat high-leverage comments back to PBH
D. Shift to problem-solving immediately

4. A risk of skipping PERTURB is:
A. The person may talk too much
B. The helper will lose control of the conversation
C. The person may remain stuck in old assumptions and solutions are sub-optimal.
D. The inquiry may become too abstract leaving the meaning unclear and subjective.

5. A core principle of PERTURB is:
A. Challenge to dominate the conversation
B. Push a new perspective regardless of readiness
C. Nudge assumptions gently to allow openings for transformation
D. Use forceful language to shake the person out of their mindset

Post-test Answer Key



Answer Key to Pre-Test:
1. C – Challenge assumptions
2. C – PERTURB challenges assumptions, while PROBE clarifies within a set context
3. C – Sparingly and with compassion, especially when pCc is in place
4. C – “Is this the most important thing?”
5. C – Gently challenge fixed perspectives that may block progress

Back to Pre-test


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View | Audio replay
View | Transcript


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Founders @ The NEW LeadU

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