Innovations in NLP

NLP flexes to meet challenging times

This is a useful handbook, which considers how new models and approaches are finding their way into NLP practice, and how NLP thinking is being recognised as a valuable resource within professional disciplines. It invites practitioners to describe the modern benefits of known and valued approaches, such as the LAB Profile, the RESOLVE Model and jobEQ, but also recognises that the contexts and applications for NLP have changed, which can affect how NLP is defined and presented.

What comes across is how NLP makes a real difference in situations where traditional practices have not always yielded results. For example, in a programme about drug dependency, where anchoring fixes what the client wants more than the substances (Richard M Gray). Elsewhere the Well-Formed Outcome is adapted to create the Well-Formed Problem for business change, tackling the major issue of the poorly-defined problem (Martin Roberts). In Japan, NLP training in hospitals has enabled staff with calibration skills to help patients deal better with their illness (Bokura-Shafe, Kono and Tamaki).

In the explanation of the LAB Profile (Shelle Rose Charvet), core NLP principles include the focus on behaviour over personality; Social Panoramas highlight where a change in location within our imaginary landscape changes our relationship to a feature – an adaptation of Time Line Model. (Lucas Derks). Symbolic Modelling explores limitations of metaphors are considered (James Lawley, Penny Tompkins).Success Factor Modelling (Robert Dilts) emphasises the importance of vision to bring out purpose. The ability of Provocative Change to interrupt and challenge the client, often with humour, shows that how creative patterns can provoke insight. (Nick Kemp).

What comes across through these and other short explorations is that NLP has shown its robustness and flexibility in a widening range of modern situations.