Learning and Development – Neuro Linguistic Programming: Best Practices in training sessions

For those who are not familiarized with Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), it is usually described as a new behavioral technology or a set of tools within the psychology environment. It was originally devised by Richard Blander and John Grinder after studying successful personalities and determining the patterns for their success. The result was the pattern created among the way the brain generates behavior together with the way we interpret the world and the way we process it. It is the interaction of these three that will determine how a person behaves.

Within this theory, there were several concepts and tools described that would help understand the other and create an obstacle-free communication pattern, leading to successful relationships.

These could be put into practice by the trainer to create a harmonious atmosphere in the classroom and make sure that everyone in the room feels identified with the trainer making the session a rich and powerful experience.

Here are some concepts and techniques:

·      Representational systems: this is how people think – through images, sounds, emotions or a combination of those. The best way to recognize these is to pay attention at the words used by the person (I can see, I hear, I feel…) People express themselves in the way they interpret the world. You can also recognise these by the way they act – would they rather listen, look, or experiment?

As a trainer try to vary your vocabulary to include words that resonant to the different representational systems

·      External and Internal experience - this is the way people are ‘programmed’ by nature and nurture to behave. Meaning that not all of us do things in the same way. Experience is relevant on the way we act and interpret the world.

As a trainer, get to know your audience background and understand the differences so you can make the training relevant for all trainees.

·      Rapport: For communication (both verbal and non-verbal) to be successful, the message has to come across easily, with no obstacles. To have rapport with someone is to have something in common which makes you feel comfortable with the other. This instantly clears obstacles in the communication process.

As a trainer, rapport is the most powerful tool of all. There are things you can do to create rapport: mirroring the other person’s posture, tone and pitch, words and breathing rhythm; ask open-ended questions to recognize representational systems; find common experiences, interests and values.

·      Anchoring: this technique is based on the idea of conditioning stimuli and it is used to break with unwanted behaviors and to create new ones.

As a trainer this is a good technique to use when disruptive behavior is encounter in the classroom. I used anchoring to change the way training sessions where received by the agents in the company where I work – training didn’t have a good name. The way I did it was by introducing a fun activity in every single session (following good practices of game usage in the classroom) and at the end of each session when recapping I would reinforce the idea of fun and entertainment in the class. After trainees having experience this stimulus towards the sessions in several occasions, their attitude towards the training session changed for the best. Now agents are not reluctant to attend, and they are eager to participate.

·      Modelling – this concept is closely linked to brain plasticity. The idea behind modelling is that by reproducing and recreating successful behaviors by mastering the beliefs and interpretation processes that such behaviour (or skill) requires, a new patterns is created in the brain.

As a trainer, practice makes perfect. If trainees are presented with the correct beliefs and strategies for success and then this is repeated through sufficient practice, then trainees will create new patterns which will allow them to master that skill or behavior.

It is worth researching and learning about NLP as the possible applications of the theory together with the tools and techniques presented are endless. As a trainer these will help your sessions be relevant and to communicate better while, at the same time, network by creating long lasting relationships.