20-Neuro-Linguistic Programming
20-Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Neuro-Linguistic Programming
This fact sheet provides an introduction to the key concepts and
modelling techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Originally developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the early
1970s as an offshoot of the American personal development scene, the
techniques of NLP have been used increasingly in recent years by
businesses wanting to enable change, by achieving a better
understanding of the different ways people communicate. NLP is all about
communication, learning and change and it has a role to play on both a
business and an individual basis. NLP has been found to be particularly
useful in helping firms with culture change, improving management skills,
learning and development and specifically in helping to train trainers in
better communication techniques.
Definition
"The study, application and implementation of excellence in thinking and
communication." (Atkinson).
The techniques of NLP have evolved from the study of how people excel
and what they actually do to achieve success. NLP attempts to make the
unconscious conscious, with an analysis of behaviour patterns, thinking
habits, skills and beliefs. Once there is better understanding of what
makes top achievers reach their level of success, it is then possible to
code or model these patterns and reproduce them. NLP provides a
repertoire of techniques to interpret clues about how people learn, and
recognises that different people learn in different ways. The term 'neurolinguistic programming' gives more clues to what the technique is about.
'Neuro' refers to the neurological system through which experiences are
translated into conscious or unconscious thought. 'Linguistic' refers to
how people communicate and how language is used to make sense of
experiences. 'Programming' refers to the fundamental NLP concept that
behaviour and thinking can be coded and consequently reproduced.
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Action checklist
(NLP terminology is indicated in brackets)
1. Identify your goals (Well-formed outcomes)
Make choices to establish well-formed outcomes. Focus on outcomes or
goals that you do want to achieve, not on those you do not want.
2. Consider your own beliefs
Examine the personal and working beliefs that drive your thoughts,
feelings and actions. You may be able to identify empowering and
supportive beliefs that you are happy to keep, or limiting and restrictive
beliefs that are better discarded.
3. Consider others' views (Perceptual positions)
Try to understand as many views as possible of any situation. Put
yourself in someone else's shoes. How do things look now? Imagine what
it would be like looking at the situation from an observer's point of view.
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Don't
Try to become someone else. Aim to find out what makes people
succeed and then apply this learning to improve yourself
Focus on what you cannot do or do not want
Let bad memories that cannot be changed influence the way you run
your life
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Useful reading
Books
Introducing NLP, Sue Knight
London: Institute of Personnel and Development, 1999
Understanding Neuro Linguistic Programming in a Week,
Mo Shapiro
London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998
NLP and the New Manager, Ian McDermott and Ian Shircore
London: Orion Business Books, 1998
Journal Article
Mastering Your Potential, Phil Atkinson
Management Services, vol 40 no 1, Jan 1996, pp10-11, 14-16
Useful addresses
Association for Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ANLP)
PO Box 78
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 4ZJ
Tel: 01384 443935
INLPTA Limited
Coombe House
Mill Road
Fareham
Hampshire
PO16 0TN
Tel: 01489 571171
Thought starters
If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what
you have always got
What you think is what you get
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