Businesses need to adapt to practices that work for them to help productivity and creativity; this is an individual and personal change that comes from the understanding of how we work.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) encompasses all of this; it has been described as the ‘how to’ of emotional intelligence or the technology of excellence. The field of NLP is growing exponentially after being developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970s. Through the implementation of NLP, businesses can introduce techniques and best practice to help develop productivity, creativity and communication skills within the workforce.
NLP is cognitive and pragmatic, discovering the elements of how we know what we know and ho we do what we do! It is a generative form of learning that explores how our neurology, language and habits are all interlinked; identifying how we can use more of the useful habits and change the ones that don’t serve us so well. NLP is all about identifying what works well and taking advantage of it.
There are now more than 400 books on the many facets of NLP and it is tempting to read many of them, but NLP is best learnt through practical experience, practice and thinking.
As a growing field, there are a number of delivery methods for NLP training for businesses including seminars, workshops and trainer training courses. Typically delegates should expect to learn basic strategies and core skills to enhance their communication and build charisma, learn influencing skills and the tools to build rapport and problem solving techniques. NLP training should also look at teamwork and dealing with difficult people, and help delegates to understand their relationship to time and time management.
Techniques and understanding developed in these areas should help your workforce to manage stress, develop commercial awareness and improve overall communication. Ultimately this is developing the ability of the workforce to coach themselves and others by working with each person as a unique individual. Training courses should be seen as the beginning to a change in culture within a company; using the techniques of NLP to improve productivity and creativity throughout the company whilst maintaining the well-being of the workforce.
Five top tips for success:• Write down your goals, draw them as pictures and review them regularly.• Notice patterns and connections in people and projects – be flexible.• Review – Keep a daily diary/learning log to explore which ideas do and don’t work for you.• Find ways to still or change your internal dialogue i.e. through deep breathing or a brain dump.• Make time for relaxation – Creative ideas often come when doing something relaxing away from our desks.
For a free hand out on ‘Tips for Success’ or ‘NLP Tips for Looking After your Eyes at the Computer’, email Katrina.
*Katrina Patterson is an INLPTA Certified NLP trainer. She offers Introductory NLP courses at the Faculty of Lifelong Learning at Birkbeck, University of London, and also offers bespoke NLP training to businesses. Click here for more information.
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