Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy created in the 1970s. The title refers to a stated connection between the neurological processes (“neuro”), language (“linguistic”), and behavioral patterns that have been learned through experience (“programming”) and can be organized to achieve specific goals in life.
The founders of NLP, Richard Bandler and John Grinder, say that it is capable of addressing problems such as phobias, depression, habit disorder, psychosomatic illnesses, and learning disorders.
Their stated aim was in “finding ways to help people have better, fuller and richer lives.” Bandler and Grinder claimed that if the effective patterns of behaviour of exceptional people could be modeled then these patterns could be acquired by others. NLP has been adopted by private therapists, including hypnotherapists, and in management workshops and seminars marketed to business and government.
According to one study a classic interaction in NLP can be understood in terms of several major stages including establishing rapport, gleaning information about a problem mental state and desired goals, using specific tools and techniques to make interventions, and integrating proposed changes into the client’s life. The entire process is guided by the non-verbal responses of the client. The first is the act of establishing and maintaining rapport between the practitioner and the client which is achieved through pacing and leading the verbal (e.g., sensory predicates and keywords) and non-verbal behavior (e.g., matching and mirroring non-verbal behavior, or responding to eye movements) of the client.
Once rapport is established, the practitioner may gather information (e.g., using the Meta-Model questions) about the client’s present state as well as help the client define a desired state or goal for the interaction. The practitioner pays particular attention to the verbal and non-verbal responses as the client defines the present state and desired state and any “resources” that may be required to bridge the gap. The client is typically encouraged to consider the consequences of the desired outcome, and how they may affect his or her personal or professional life and relationships, taking into account any positive intentions of any problems that may arise (i.e. ecological check). Fourth, the practitioner assists the client in achieving the desired outcomes by using certain tools and techniques to change internal representations and responses to stimuli in the world. Finally, the changes are “future paced” by helping the client to mentally rehearse and integrate the changes into his or her life. For example, the client may be asked to “step into the future” and represent (mentally see, hear and feel) what it is like having already achieved the outcome.
According to some “NLP also involves fringe discourse analysis and “practical” guidelines for “improved” communication. For example, one text asserts “when you adopt the “but” word, people will remember what you said afterwards. With the “and” word, people remember what you said before and after.
How do we use NLP?
We use NLP in the development of leaders, managers and their respective organisations. We teach those leaders and managers to use NLP in the development of themselves and their teams, to communicate and persuade more effectively and to use it for their own personal development.
Our NLP Events
Introduction to NLP: A one day event offering an insight into the background and uses of NLP in business and personal development.
NLP for Managers: A two-day event focussing on the use of NLP by leaders and managers for personal, team and organisational performance.
Business NLP: a two-day event with NLP theory and practice and accredited by INLPTA
Selling with NLP: A two-day event for those wishing to learn how to increase their ability to sell more products and services through advanced language techniques which can be both verbal and written.
Coaching with NLP: This two-day event will provide you with the content and context to add the powerful skills and techniques of NLP into your Coaching practice.
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