BASIC NLP
INTRODUCING NLP
Outcomes 18: Language Surgery
By Caitlin Collins
I Speech is linked
n this series on Introducing NLP we’re Remark: She’s a hopeless case.
taking the umbrella theme of setting Possible response: Whose opinion would
outcomes in order to find out how NLP with thought, both that be?
can help us to discover what we want and
then achieve it. In this and the next few
as an expression of Remark: Everybody hates me.
issues, we’ll be pondering the power of it and an influence Possible response: Everybody?
language to help or hinder our achieving
our goals.
on it Remark: I could never do that.
Speech is linked with thought, both Possible response: What might happen if
as an expression of it and an influence you did?
on it. Firstly, our unconscious attitudes
and beliefs affect what we say and how Remark: He never brings me chocolates; he
we say it, so we may be communicating thinks I’m too fat. And he doesn’t love me.
information about ourselves that we don’t Possible response: How does that follow?
know we’re sharing! And secondly, because Maybe he doesn’t know you like them!
so much of our thinking is in the form of
mental talk and it’s hard to think coherently Remark: We’ll be able to do something
about a topic for which we lack vocabulary, about it when we have a change of
our language skills shape – and sometimes government.
limit – our concepts. Possible response: Do you mean there’s
As the name implies, neuro-linguistic absolutely nothing we can do now?
programming is big on language. In
NLP terms, we have a deep structure, We delete when we shorten, selecting only Remark: She’s going off me; I know she’s
comprising our unconscious thoughts, some information to say. We generalise getting bored.
attitudes, beliefs, memories, feelings when we don’t acknowledge exceptions. Possible response: How do you know?
and knowledge, and a surface structure, We distort when we simplify; moreover, What’s happening that you’re interpreting
comprising those aspects of ourselves that if you wanted to get philosophical, you like that?
are apparent to our conscious minds and could argue that all words are inevitably
also to others – including what we say. distortions because they don’t accurately Be warned: too much of a good thing
Together the two are like an iceberg: there’s represent reality. Mmm, moving briskly on... can become a bad thing; while meta
always more going on below than appears The next meta model step is skilful modelling can be hugely helpful for
on the surface. questioning. It helps to think of this uncovering underlying issues that affect
The NLP ‘meta model’ provides an not as challenging the other person, our ability to attain our goals, it can also
almost clinically efficient method for which might imply that they’re wrong, be so irritating as to provoke a pacifist to
exposing deep structure elements that are but rather as inviting them to expand violence. Probably the safest patient to
implicit in our speech. Because it requires their awareness, which might imply that start operating on is yourself!
you to probe the patient with potentially they’re even more interesting than they In the next issue we’ll be redressing the
annoying questions, you need to establish thought they were and is a lot more fun balance by considering a language model
good rapport before you start, and then for everyone! Here are some examples; that delights in vagueness: the Milton
wield your scalpel skilfully. see if you can identify which of the three model, named after Milton Erickson, the
The first step in applying the meta categories they illustrate. past master of trance. Meanwhile, let
model is to listen for verbal vagueness your increasing skill with the meta model
manifesting in one or more of three Remark: They should do something help you to understand yourself better,
main ways: deletion, generalisation, and about it. enabling you to achieve your goals more
distortion. All appear in normal speech, Possible response: Who should do what easily, with even more positive results for
and all can be fruitful areas of investigation. about what? yourself and others...
Caitlin Collins – [Link]
10 ] Winter 2012/2013 - RAPPORT