Don't get NLP'd on!

 

Are you fed up with being NLP’d on?

So many people are flogging NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) as a wonder product to solve all problems that it can cause confusion and even disinterest. That is a massive disservice and has led me to write this brief article

I first became interested in NLP as an operations director managing an engineering business in the Midlands. I believe NLP is a model for improved communication, it is not a thing in itself, it’s how you apply the skills in specific contexts. As an engineer, I love the systems thinking-based approach; it is human engineering in action. The NLP outcomes model is how project management works. Lean mind management is the communications application of Lean Management; it is often misunderstood and poorly introduced. All the tools that enable a business to succeed are the tools that enable the staff (our biggest resource) to be successful.

Richard Bandler described NLP as “The study of the structure of subjective experience and what can be calculated from that”. On the basis that all beliefs have structure and beliefs dictate behaviour; by changing the structure (pattern) the outcome, the behaviour, will change. It’s a model based on cybernetics (human engineering) and supported through modelling experts in their field and testing the findings.

Unfortunately, too many people have seen the field as a ‘get rich quick’ scheme and want to follow the success of Tony Robbins and others. They set up their self-accrediting organisations to imply a status of authority and expertise. One organisation even gives extra certificates as a sales gimmick and others rev people up by walking on broken glass and breaking martial arts boards. These are all gimmicks and detract from the core skills.

Recently a guy attended my NLP coaching module and didn’t even understand how to use timelines flexibly, the TOTE model or well-formed outcomes model. He had completed the NLP Practitioner course with another NLP organisation and had a bunch of certificates to prove it. He was pissed-off to say the least as he’d spent a lot of money with them.

ALL NLP trainers and training organisations should be teaching the core skills laid down by DR Richard Bandler and Dr John Grinder. Other developments and applications of the field as based on these key skills.

When Bandler and Grinder first taught the field, when it became labeled NLP, the course was 21 days and included all content through to Master-Practitioner and beyond. They later broke this into chunks for ease of learning and practice. NLP Practitioner became 7 days, Master-Practitioner became 8 days and so on. Even though Bandler and Grinder no longer work together and even label their approach slightly differently, they still deliver the core skills in the same timescales and give the same qualifications. Surely this is a clear indicator.

Anthony Robbins is so good a building states in people that his courses and trainers are almost evangelistic in their approach. Revving people up and sending them out but not necessarily setting a direction or outcome. A friend told me a story of meeting somebody straight after a Robbins seminar. They said “WOW, I'm so revved and raring to go..” my friend asked “What you gonna do?” and laughed when they replied, “I don’t know, but I’m really excited and ready to start…”

There are some amazing trainers, like Michael Breen, that truly share their skills and experience with you. They ensure that when you leave, you are competent and capable in the application of your newly developing NLP skills. If the trainers can’t or don’t put the skills into context for you, be that business, therapy etc., then it’s just smoke and mirrors. If they sell ‘get rich quick with NLP’ its smoke and mirrors. If they give free courses then sign you up for big courses then what are their drivers.

Bandler and Grinder built on the work of Gregory Bateson and others in what was a fascinating time in human development. We’re now entering a new age as the field of Neuroscience is exploding. Please become fascinated and excited to study and apply the structural skills that the field of NLP has given us. Understand how and where you want to apply those skills and don’t judge the field by some of the idiots hiding in it.

I have previously written an article on NLP training schools and elements such as future pacing and the emotional hostage. You can read them on Linkedin by clicking here

I am always happy to discuss this in more detail. I can be contacted on 0121 251 6172 or via email