WHAT IS NLP?

Neuro Linguistic Programming

NLP, or Neuro Linguistic Programming, is a powerful personal and professional transformation toolbox. It is about optimizing thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and mindset strategies to reach your fullest potential. And help others to do the same.

NLP has a toolkit to develop, align, and connect each level & remove any obstacle the mind creates.

WHERE DOES NLP COME FROM?

Neuro Linguistic Programming is the mindset of achievement and personal development.

What would happen if you studied people who have reached their highest potential in a specific area or context in their life?

For example:

Happiness and well-being.
Achievement and success.
Communication & mindset strategies.
Relationships.
Purpose and meaning.
Etc.

In NLP this is called modeling. These modeling projects started in the 70s and are still happening today. The outcome is a toolset collectively called NLP.

HOW IS NLP APPLIED?

Neuro Linguistic Programming tools can be applied to yourself and others.

By using:

Techniques.
Strategies and step-by-step processes.

What does NLP look like?

Reading others.
Questioning.
Verbal and non-verbal communication.
Visualization.
Conversation.
Several NLP techniques require you to move into different physical spaces or a line (a timeline with the past, present and future.)

You can apply the toolkit:

Without someone being aware. For instance, during a negotiation, resolving conflicts, sales, motivational speech, creating social media content, teaching, etc.
With someone being aware. For instance, during a coaching, mentoring, or therapy session.

NLP TECHNIQUES

& the "neuro linguistics" of Neuro Linguistic Programming

Broadly speaking, there are 4 families or realms of tools and techniques that compose NLP. There are two language patterns which you can find under “Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication.”

Coaching, Mentoring, Therapy & Personal Development

The following tools can be applied in any job or context where they are relevant:

Techniques for resolving negative emotions such as fear, phobias, anxiety, anger, and sadness.
Increasing positive emotions, motivation and optimism.
Goal-setting in a way that lights up the neuro-pathways and rewires the brain.
Tools to change habits and unwanted behaviors.
Timeline techniques working with the past, present, and future.
Tools for strategic thinking and mindset.
Significant emotional events in the past.*
Deep-rooted habits and limiting beliefs.*
Core-change work using spirituality or connection, your higher self, love, and peace.*
Working with topics such as self-esteem, self-love, perfectionism, etc.*

Note:
Regardless of what school you train with, we suggest asking for a transparent, clear, and jargon-free detailed day-by-day course description.

*This depends on the company’s NLP Master Practitioner curriculum. These techniques can typically only be taught in a high-trust environment with an experienced trainer. And preferably where the Practitioner and Master Practitioner are taught back-to-back.

Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication

There are two different language patterns and a multitude of other verbal and non-verbal communication techniques taught.

Asking questions that make the unconscious conscious. – discover what’s under the surface of what is being said in order to more fully understand what’s truly going on, wanted, or needed.
Using the language of the unconscious mind to inspire, motivate, influence, persuade, etc.
Techniques to build rapport, resolve conflict, negotiate, story-telling, influence, sell, etc.

In learning NLP…

It is preferable to learn Neuro Linguistic Programming in English (the language of origin).
Aspects of NLP do not linguistically or culturally perfectly translate outside of the United States.

Want to apply and Learn NLP internationally?

If you choose an American or English trainer, (outside of an English-speaking environment) a high level of cultural awareness, coupled with a class that was specifically designed for an international community should be a priority – if not a requirement!
Other trainers should be able to speak both English and their language of origin at a (near) native level in addition to having done their training internationally if they are teaching in English.**

Global NLP Training

We specialize in training in diverse international and cultural environments in the English language. We have been trained in Intercultural Communication, Organizational Culture, and ESL (English as a Second Language.)

Struggle with English or learning new language skills?

Global NLP Training is the only school that teaches both language patterns entirely through games and activities. We use a system developed by a very experienced trainer who was not raised in the United States but speaks near-native English. In addition to learning on a deeper level, this also means that the learning process is not so (English) language-dependent.

*Listen or watch your trainer online.

Reading People

Reading others allows you to:

Understand how people learn, gather, and process information and what they notice (and fail to notice!)
Determine whether someone is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner.
Discover the specific working mindset or mental strategies used by highly successful people vs. the less successful.
Read eye-movements, to determine how someone thinks or uses their brain.
Observe emotions or emotional state shifts.
Get insight into how they are “programmed”, motivated, make decisions, and what standards they wish to meet, etc.*
Understand what motivates and drives them – what will truly make them happy, connected, and feel aligned with their purpose.**

*Only taught by companies who teach the Meta-Programs inside their Master Practitioner (this is not the same as the Meta Model).

**Only companies who teach inside their Master Practitioner: “Values Elicitation.”

Designing New NLP Techniques*

* Unfortunately, most schools spend either no or limit time teaching this.

Design new techniques or adapt existing ones:

On the spot and in the moment.
During changing and dynamic situations.
During unexpected or extraordinary situations.
To customize coaching, therapy, or mentoring sessions based on the individual needs of the client.
Combine tools and techniques with other modalities or bodies of knowledge.

Global NLP training has:

Created a methodology that enables you to create your own techniques.
Dedicates 1 full day ofour program to teaching pattern/technique design as well as how to effectively combine NLP with other modalities and methodologies.
Teaches all NLP tools in a way that creates adaptability and flexibility – requires a deep masster practitioner level understanding of “why” each tool works.

What can the tools WE TEACH BE USED FOR?

The tools we teach can be used in any area where people communicate, think, feel, and behave. (So, in a nutshell – everything!)

FAQ: WHAT IS NLP?

Ask yourself the question, what is a training environment where you will learn the best? Ask yourself what kind of learning environment (not just the physical space) enables you to have a real learning EXPERIENCE.

Do all schools teach the same version and tools of NLP?

NLP Practitioner

When it comes to the foundation of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, yes. This is more or less true – regardless of what a company’s marketing department says.

This is why the content of NLP Practitioner is largely the same everywhere. Unless the trainer leaves out techniques, because of their skillset or teaching in a language other than English.

How NLP is taught, and with what level of care and quality hugely differs – and it hugely matters!

NLP Master Practitioner

NLP Master Practitioner classes varies greatly.

Most companies teach the exact same tools and content in their Master Practitioner class as their Practioner class. In fact, in many cases, they are literally the same class. Same knowledge, same explanations, same stories, and worst of all – same rehearsed jokes! They simply add more complicated assignments for the Master Practitioner students in class.

At Global NLP Training 100% of our content is new information.

Ask for a transparent, clear, and day-by-day course description, free of any jargon.

How do you select the right school?

Licensing bodies

There are two legitimate licensing bodies, the Society of NLP and ITANLP. These are the only organizations endorsed by the co-creators of NLP.

There are, however, many different companies, programs, and trainers out there at various levels of quality. Both inside and outside of these organizations.

What is the most important thing about your NLP training?

The trainer
The quality of the material taught
What content is taught, and the depth of the training
The level of comfort you feel in the training venue and its immediate surroundings
Group size
Live, in-person training (with a free online version of the class as a post-course study tool)
The integrity of the trainer and the school
Post-course support!

Students often select their training based on criteria like certification, price, and proximity. Though these things are important, on their own, they may put you at risk of picking the wrong school. You can have it all. No compromises necessary!

NLP training should always be selected carefully – and not just by using websites. Diligently check both the company and the trainer(s) who will be teaching you.

What should you check for?

We are working on creating a Google Sheets checklist.

Check to see if the trainer featured on the website will also be your teacher, as well as how many hours they will be teaching.
Ask for a jargon-free syllabus of what is taught each day.
Is there transparency about the pricing or are you forced to call the company to negotiate
Can you be sure the person sitting next to you in class didn’t pay 50% less than you?
Their sales process. Did it leave you feeling a little ick – like a timeshare or used-car shopping experience
Were they just trying to “close the deal”? (You know what I’m talking about!)
Check the content of a trainer’s or company’s social media
Large training companies will obviously have more followers than even the better small companies. Pay attention to the CONTENT! You are qualifying NLP trainers – not marketing firms! (Although we do appreciate a nice aesthetic.)
Youtube
Instagram
Facebook
Linked-In
Google
FYI: Reviews on Facebook and Google can not be edited.
Look for, or ask for a database of former students and contact a few randomly.
The content of the Master Practitioner course.
The ability to do NLP Practitioner and Master Practitioner as a full immersion, back-to-back.
The cost of Practitioner and Master Practitioner, in the event you want to do both (eventually).
Does the trainer do demonstrations in class
Do all students get to be part of a demonstration with the most senior trainer?
Can you personally connect to the most senior trainer? Even before the training on the phone?
For students who wish to use NLP combined with other methodologies or modalities, it is crucial to know how to design. Is design properly taught?
Students who wish to use NLP internationally should train with a company operating in a global world.
There are reports of ego, greed, misogyny, toxic environments, and issues around race, gender and, religion in both well-known and unknown training companies.
Having a male or female trainer can greatly affect your training, in addition to their age.
Does your trainer care more about your current training than upselling you more expensive programs or products? (Ask about sales booths or teams inside the training venue. Is there a push to visit the friendly folks at the “merch table” in the back of the room for a “limited time only” deal?)

Beware!

Compare locations where trainings are held. Many schools train in the conference rooms of sub-par hotels in remote urban destinations such as airporthotels that are convenient only to the airport itself!

See FAQ question: “How to select the right location?”

How to select the right location?

The environment where you learn NLP says a lot about the school, and depth of the training:

Hotel vs private property.
Public event seating vs living room type-vibes with comfortable chairs.
Natural daylight vs no daylight. Or worse – the dreaded fluorescent lighting!
Trainings held in isolated urban locations such as the suburbs, airport areas, government building areas, seedy casino areas, and/or areas surrounded by parking lots.
Accessibility to an ocean, nature, parks, culture, awe-inspiring environments during breaks.
Proximity to grocery stores, restaurants, etc.
Availability of a refrigerator , a kitchen, and a private chef.
Distance, time, and cost of traveling to the training location each morning.
Accessibility to (affordable) healthy food, wellness, fitness, yoga, massages, etc. (If that’s what you’re into.)

For students on a budget who need to travel to a training destination, a bit of advice: always look at the total cost of tuition, hotel, food, and transportation. For example, it is less costly for Americans to train in Mexico, and for Europeans to train in Bali than at home when you consider the cost of meals, transportation, accommodations, etc.

Can NLP be used with a bad intent?

Much like psychology, or any communication skill, it depends on who uses it and with what intent.

Much like any industry or place where there is any kind of leadership, there are people who are primarily ego and money-driven, rather than values-driven.

Clues:

Are they transparent about their pricing publically?
Is the trainer marketed on the website also teaching your class and for how many hours
Social Entrepreneurship efforts or community outreach.
Do their blog posts and videos indicate they are a good person?
Fake (doctorate) degrees and credentials.
A high emphasis on selling you more expensive programs or products during the training.
What is the nature of the relationship to their credentialing body?
Do their credentials have any weight, or give you any kind of benefits or advantages?

Is NLP scientific?

Introduction

The world of psychology and psychiatry well into mid the 1990s was predominantly focused on mental illness and negative emotions. The world of personal and professional development is largely not focused on these topics.

The first three fundamental models studied to create NLP were outliers in the world of psychotherapy:

Dr. Virgina Satir – is considered the “Mother of Family Therapy.”
Dr. Fritz Perls – is considered the “Father of Gestalt Therapy.”
Dr. Milton Erickson – is considered the “Father of Clinical Hypnosis.”

What Is The Focus?

Satir gave a framework of questioning that allowed other outliers to be interviewed to find out what their strategies for thinking, feeling and behaving were. These weren’t just scientists or psychotherapists, but other high-performers in business, education, sales, sports etc. t In addition to people in well-being,people engaging in positive relationships, those who had demostrated extraordinary resilience and had the ability to inspire others, etc.

Scientists wanted to create scientific definitions, criteria, and theories and hold scientific experiments inside laboratories with average human beings or the mentally ill.

The creators of NLP were interested in a much different thing. Namely, the practical application in the real world of tools and techniques that would change someone’s personal and professional life for the better. They wanted to interview (model after) the outliers, the winners, the high-flyers who reach their highest potential.

The practical real-world techniques, tools, and ideas the first practitioners learned were something they wanted to teach as many people as possible in seminars held all over the world to this day. They weren’t after scientific accolades and publications.

New Scientific Research

New scientific research through positive psychology, neuroscience, psycho-linguistics, and biology increasingly validate what

NLP has been teaching for decades. This has taken flight in the last 10 years with the development of positive psychology. NLP however, is still light years ahead. Specifically when it comes to the practical application of techniques that can change the way we think, feel, and behave.

The Critique that NLP Is a Pseudo-Science

The irony is that it is always people who have never taken an NLP training and need it the most are the ones who want to debate whether Neuro Linguistic Programming is a pseudo-science or not (despite the fact that the original aim was to help people develop skills rather than just doing research.)

Most psychological research and studies have been done with less than 75 college undergraduates or people working for university institutions. The exceptions are studies where “big data” research is used by 1000s of people filling in assessments and questionnaires on the internet. Though this is common in the field of positive psychology as of late, the world of psychology as a whole is significantly lacking.

You could easily say NLP has more merit. People have learned Neuro Linguistic Programming all over the world since the 70s and look back at their NLP training as personally and professionally life-changing. Including many, many scientists.