Thursday, December 19, 2013

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a three component phenomenon that is incorporated in the development of the human experience. The three components are neurology, language, and programming. The neurology regulates the functioning of our bodies the language governs our interaction with other people, whereas the programming determines, which models of the world we are able to create. Thus, Neuro-Linguistic Programming describes the elementary dynamics involving the mind and language, and how their relationship impacts on our bodies and behaviour. NLP is, therefore, a multi-dimensional process, which involves the development of behavioural proficiency and flexibility. It also involves thinking strategically and having a clear understanding of the rational and cognitive processes responsible for a particular behaviour. NLP, therefore, is a set of tools and techniques responsible for the improvement of the awareness of an individuals beliefs, behaviour, and how she can relate at higher levels.
   
Historical Background of NLP
Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a concept that was developed in the 1970s by an information scientist and a linguist known as John Grinder and Richard Bandler respectively. These scholars observed that individuals with similar education, training, experience, and background recorded different results ranging from excellent to poor ones. These scholars wanted to understand the secret of effective performance. Their study zeroed in on the communication aspect and they were interested in how the successful members of the society communicated. They eventually came up with thinking patterns, which they associated with the success of the individuals. They concluded that the brains could learn the healthy patterns and behaviours and, thus, leading to positive physical and emotional impacts (Dilts, 1999).
   
NLP and Business
NLP is regarded as a powerful concept that is thought to possess positive and useful aspects of psychology. This puts it in an important position in influencing personal and interpersonal interactions therefore NLP has a lot of benefits in self development, businesses and organizations. For example, NLP enhances better communication in customer services and selling. It improves understanding in communication, especially, when it is face-to-face. This becomes important, especially during interviews and appraisals. NLP has also proved to be handy for stress management, developing of self confidence and assertiveness. NLP also encourages empathy, which enables one to apply ethics while observing moral standards. These are very salient features of good management in the current world for the success of businesses (Smith, 2008).

NPL more often than not, works on many presuppositions that are in support of the view that change is always in the offing. This is equally important to todays business managers in the ever-changing business environment, where flexibility is very crucial. One of the most important factors regarding NLP concerns what can work and what cannot. The two are distinct, and if what youre engaged in, does not work, then try a different thing regardless of whether your initial efforts should have worked. Flexibility is the key element here and the emphasis is on the fact that to excel, one has to respond to the changing environment accordingly. NLP is much interested in fulfilling peoples potential by giving them what they want in life (Webmaster, 2009).

NLP is a model that can be used to enhance effective communication, personal change and development. Whatever goes on in an individuals mind impacts on ones language and beliefs. This in turn affects behaviour. Thus, it forms a synergetic process in the individual with the whole being greater than the individual parts of the process. NLP looks at how we think and feel and focus on excellence in our day to day life. Therefore, NLP gives one the consciousness in choosing on what to do and how to do it. The self awareness is crucial in self management and influence on others. This begins with the fundamental realization that we are not similar, and thus, we differently react to situations and we use different language at different times. To be able to build interpersonal relationships, we need to have appropriate strategies to understand the people around us (Naicke, 2009).

The ability to manage self affects the extent to which we are destined to achieve our goals. To achieve business success, one has to be a good manager. Among other skills, NLP provides for being able to read the unconscious mind. This is important in managing personal development projected towards achieving full potential of the individual. According to Kotelnikov,
NLP is a process of discovery and as such it is about continually uncovering new ways of thinking and working. It is a process of continuous learning and growth, and key to profound personal development By using NLP you can give yourself more conscious choice over what you do and the way you act (paragraph 5).
   
NLP has been used in almost all aspects of human life, for example, in boardrooms across the world, and the results have been amazing. Those individuals, who have a good mastery of the NLP concept, and are applying it appropriately, behave in a unique manner and are rewarded with amazing results. Successful business people have admirable characters that make them special. They are always open and they dont panic when under pressure. This is what NLP refers to as alignment which means achieving congruency and having complete self belief. NLP is all about being aware of all your senses both physical and emotional (Lusardi, 2002).

NLP has yielded numerous techniques that can be used at a personal or professional level. Businesses around the world have employed these techniques in different areas in order to achieve success. As a business strategy, NLP will enable you to reach and influence others as well as be aware of yourself in order to be able to improve your weaknesses. It also helps managers in the analysis of success secrets of the best employees and be able to teach others these secrets which can have a tremendous positive impact to the success of the business. NLP teaches on customer relation skills which are very crucial in the competitive business world (Kotelniko, 2009).
   
The argument that anything that comes to your mind is achievable draws much from NLP. NLP helps individuals in discovering the utilization of the power of mind to achieve full potential. NLP is not only about positive thinking and attitudinal change. It also encompasses skills to reach high levels of success and fulfillment in all aspects of life including professional and personal relationships. In the business world, NLP may influence, motivate, or break the belief that may be holding individuals from achieving the elusive success they are yearning for. Most of the business leaders around the world are now involved in learning new skills in NLP which gives them an edge in the competitive world to achieve success (MacKay, 2009).
   
Managing in modern days requires flexibility, due to the rapid changes that engulfed the business world. Most managers today have shifted from the classic-based managerial practices to managing the new challenges of complex relationships in the organization. This was due to the realization that maintaining harmonious relationships at the workplace proved to be an important aspect in the companies to realize sustainability in growth. Managers have to master the art of working in teams as well as being able to influence others, motivating them to achieve corporate goals. This can be practiced by some individuals through intuition but can also be learnt and mastered through NLP techniques (Kotelniko, 2009).
   
NLP has been identified as a new revolution in the world of businesses, since it guarantees effectiveness at the workplace. It has provided useful information in building relationships and cooperation in achieving both the personal and corporate goals.  NLP strategies can be applied at the workplace to bring about a harmonious relationship and better customer relations. These are the most essential skills a business requires to survive the cut-throat competition that has been witnessed in the modern world. NLP, therefore, presents a unique phenomenon designed to address the new challenges facing the world. Most business executives have enrolled in schools offering NLP skills to be able to improve and maintain profitability in their businesses.

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