How NLP training can unlock the doors to success

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) training is a methodof changing someone’s thoughts and behaviours to help achieve desired outcomes for them.

U2B spoke to Andreas Dorn, Certified NLP Trainer and Certified Master Trainer of Hypnotherapy who is the founder of Asia Mind Dynamics to find out more about this field and how it can support organisational success.

There are many definitions of NLP available online, but according to Dorn, these definitions can be confusing.

To Dorn, NLP can be best defined as a practical, result-oriented technology of detecting, understanding, and getting in control of our conscious and unconscious thoughts, behaviour, and communication.

“In Asia Mind Dynamics, and to us, it is about how you use your mind to reach your goals, influence other people and yourself, and develop a mindset of excellence in any situation.”

He added that NLP is about the ability to change yourself quickly, and create change that lasts while developing the flexibility to adapt to different circumstances.

“This means that through NLP, you gain access to something that many people refer to as mindset or subconscious mind — which we usually do not access or have a hard time accessing,” Dorn said.

Dorn describes mindset as a series of self-perceptions or beliefs people hold about themselves that determine behaviour, outlook, and mental attitude.

He adds that our mindset comprises values, beliefs, and emotions and how we think about ourselves.

These are formed as an outcome of our life experiences — our interaction with the environment. “Our behaviours which the way we act, and even communicate are the results of our beliefs,” he adds.

As such it also includes how we talk to ourselves and to other people and that forms the linguistic part of NLP.

NLP and similar forms of therapy, including hypnosis and timeline therapy are what Dorn refers to as the tools of the mind, that allow you to access these hidden beliefs.

“The inner strategies you use to achieve your outcomes, desired or undesired allow you to make long-lasting and positive changes to it if you desire.”

All of this plays a huge role in an organisation, as they determine how people interact, communicate, manage their emotional states, achieve, and celebrate results or beat themselves up when they experience failure.

Dorn gives a common scenario as an example of how NLP can support organisational growth, “We have coached people that were really good at the technical stuff at work but are not able to relate and manage people.”

He adds that while change is not easy, through NLP, the process of forming a new mindset can be accelerated. Dorn is a strong believer that organisations can cope in rapidly changing situations with better communication and is also a strong proponent for NLP training to facilitate that change.

He describes NLP as the mothership of personal development which delves deep into the understanding of human behaviour which can then create better leaders and managers in organisations.

“With NLP, you become more aware of who you are. What drives and motivates you… What is holding you back… You can influence your own inner self-talk and you can communicate with people the way that they understand your instructions.”

Additionally, NLP and a similar tool, the Language and Behaviour Profile teaches you how to motivate people linguistically – which helps leaders of organisations improve how they manage resistant people.

NLP training has a proven track record and Dorn attributes this discipline to several success stories. He shares that over 90% of NLP participants successfully achieve their goals. His students range from CEOs, team leaders, and heads of departments.

However, Dorn says that NLP training is suitable for everyone in an organisation and should be made required learning for everyone.

He adds that the students he trains all want to reach the next level in their life, be it personally or professionally.

“They have been successful to a certain degree, but something is holding them back from reaching greater heights and so they attend our training to work on themselves,” Dorn adds.

Dorn cautions that certification in NLP alone will not guarantee that participants will achieve their goals unless they work on themselves to achieve these changes.

“When they succeed in our NLP Training, our participants get two gifts,” Dorn said. “First, they can continue to the Timeline Therapy Practitioner Training (TLT), and secondly, they can come back and refresh their training for free for life.”

For those interested in developing their career as NLP trainers, Dorn says that as it is not a defined career pathway, it can both be challenging and easy.

Essentially, NLP is structured into three levels where trainers can opt to become either a Certified NLP Practitioner, a Certified Master Practitioner of NLP, or a Certified Trainer of NLP or start out a career in this field as a coach or therapist.

He suggests that a more defined pathway to becoming an NLP trainer is through the learning of hypnosis and hypnotherapy and of course Timeline Therapy. “Here, you learn ways to deal with deeper issues inside a client. Like anxiety, fear, phobia, traumas, or depression,” he said.

According to Dorn, prospective NLP trainers need to exhibit the following characteristics to succeed in this field:

• Open-mindedness
  The ability to open your mind and take in new suggestions and ideas
• Curiosity
  Be curious about yourself, and other people.
• Maturity
  The ability to follow instructions, and not constantly push back, but also the willingness to work with a partner, to help them make changes, and to do the changes inside your head, mind, and body is essential

“More importantly, if you are interested in a career in this field, you should be willing to work with people and influence positive changes in them,” he adds.