In this post, we cover Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coaching more specifically.
To be an excellent coach, one has to acquire valuable skills to provide the best service to the client. It is my purpose, with this paper, to introduce the concept of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) as an effective tool in coaching, for both the client and the coach.
Many trainers, managers, and teachers use the principles of NLP to promote personal growth as it offers a framework that empowers the person to be the most he or she can be.
As the coach integrates different modalities such a role-modeling, visualization, and anchoring will appreciate the benefits of NLP, which for the coaching profession is twofold:
first, it provides the client with the possibility to achieve their goals in a timely and measurable manner and it provides the coach with instruments that will help them motivate their clients to achieve their greatest potential.
Many coaches in their practice use valuable tools such as assessments and questionnaires, but NLP takes the assessment a step further. It allows the coach to use the information gathered in such assessments to take the clients from where they are to where they want to be.
An assessment that would be especially helpful in coaching, and is rooted in NLP, would be to know the representational system of the client. How he or she perceives the world and communicates with others.
Once the coach is aware of this system would be able to establish rapport, step into the worldview of the client and together, and walk along with the client on his or her path to success.
What Is NLP Coaching?
Coaching has developed in recent years as an effective way to promote change in individuals. What starts as a dream for a person, coaching can make it a reality. Coaching with NLP, when a person makes the decision to be coached is because he or she has the desire to change. As Napoleon Hill in his classic “Think and Grow Rich” tells us “Desire the starting point of all achievements”.
And it is this desire that inspires the person to change the direction in his or her life, but at times they do not know how to change their lives or, because of their own limiting messages or beliefs, sabotage any intention of growth. NLP may be that “missing link” in how to assist the client in their path to success.
I define coaching as an intervention that:
1. Helps a client
a. Move from A to B. This may include helping the client to clarify A and B
b. Turn theoretic learning into results, and
c. Improve their performance.
2. Uses a ‘coaching style’
a. Encourages the client to think through their own answers,
b. Uncovers previous blind spots,
c. Helps them take the action they need,
d. This means that they end up with a better result and
e. Gives them the skills to plan and act upon future journeys on their own.
While we will use a ‘coaching style’ most of the time – because it works – occasionally I’ll use other interventions if I think they’re appropriate. An important aspect of coaching is that it helps clients turn to learn into results.
How Can NLP Be Useful In Coaching?
As mentioned before NLP provides different tools that can be integrated when working with clients toward achieving their goals. We know that in NLP coaching elements such as acknowledging, reframing, and enthusing can make a difference in helping the client to design the future and at times we need an extra tool to really make it a reality.
NLP is such a tool and has different techniques to achieve such a reality. Among the different techniques that produce empowering changes are Role Modeling, Anchoring, and Visualization.
Coaching gives the client a way of achieving what’s important to them. This means that the client is motivated to be successful. The coach’s role is to:
a. Create a safe environment for the client to explore and clarify what they want to achieve,
b. Help them develop a plan and success system,
c. Help them develop options to move forward,
d. Keep the client accountable and focused on priorities and actions,
e. Bring a series of proven attitudes, models, processes, and techniques that will help them achieve what they want,
a. Help the client to connect to and influence their stakeholders,
b. Help the client rehearse behaviors for important meetings,
c. Help the client make better decisions and
d. Keep the process motivating and (mostly) fun.
NLP Coaching Model
Our NLP model, which follows, builds upon GROW. It is a more complete model in that it includes tools to help our clients answer the questions that need to be answered to use the GROW model in the first place.
Each of these elements on its own can improve the likelihood of success. Together they provide a powerful success system.
a. Beginning Frame: How we set the scene for any interaction.
b. State: Our mental/physical condition at that moment.
c. Outcome: What our client wants to achieve.
d. Rapport: The quality of communication between us and our client.
e. Current Situation: What our client is already doing to achieve their outcome and/or to stop them from achieving it.
a. Technique or task: Actions to achieve an outcome.
b. Future pace: Mentally rehearsing actions to achieve an outcome.
c. End Frame: What we say at the end of interaction to support our clients in achieving their outcome.
a. Follow up: Following up whatever happens and using the information from this to determine what we do next.
Always emphasize the importance of creating options for your clients. An option, as we define it, is only a theoretical option, (more like a dilemma) until our client knows what to do, the reason for doing it, knows how to do it, and is prepared to do it. When these conditions are met it’s truly an option.
NLP coaching believes that if a client has several options, as qualified above, they will automatically choose the path most beneficial to them.
Conclusion
As a result of this post, we can conclude that integrating NLP coaching tools can enhance the process of change coaching promotes as it provides a systematic set of techniques based on studies concerning human behavior, communication, and thoughts. Applying some of these techniques can help the client change the way they think, act and feel towards situations experienced in the past and have the necessary tools to transform the way they perceive themselves and see their future.
As more coaches integrate NLP coaching in their practice they will understand that human beings work perfectly and the results of their performance are based on their thoughts, their feelings, and the choices they make in their lives.
NLP coaching is the springboard to excellent choices and fulfilling lives.
CLICK HERE For More Course Inclusions and Our June Main Event
