The Two Versions of Reality Test
(Because alignment on words isn’t alignment on meaning)
Two people can agree on the same sentence
and still be imagining entirely different realities.
This is how teams drift without noticing.
Here’s the tool that stops it early.
⭐ THE TWO VERSIONS OF REALITY TEST
Before moving forward on anything important, ask:
“What reality is the other person hearing?”
If the answer is different from the reality you intend,
you have a context problem—not a communication one.
⭐ Example
You say:
“Let’s have this done by Friday.”
Your mental model:
A draft.
Their mental model:
A finished deliverable.
Same words.
Different universe.
The Two Versions Test catches this before the damage.
⭐ When to Use It
Any deadline
Any project kickoff
Any request involving interpretation
Anytime you think “We’re aligned”
Anytime you suspect “They nodded too quickly”
⭐ Why It Works
People fill in meaning with:
past experiences
personal assumptions
implicit expectations
role-specific biases
differing definitions of “done”
The Test forces you to surface these invisible layers.
⭐ How to Apply It
Ask yourself:
What do I mean?
What might they mean?
Are those the same?
What assumption gap might exist?
If the answers differ, clarify before proceeding.
⭐ Try It Today
Take one current task or agreement.
Ask:
“Is their version of reality the same as mine?”
If you hesitate for even a second, clarify it.