What is NLP

NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming. It is a practical approach to understanding how people think, communicate, behave, learn and create change.

Our definition of NLP:

NLP is a practical approach to understanding human behaviour and developing advanced communication skills. It offers tools that can help individuals, teams and organisations create positive change, improve outcomes and support wellbeing.

This page gives you a broad introduction to NLP: what it is, why it may be useful, where it is applied, and where to go next if you would like to learn more.

Why might NLP matter?

NLP is concerned with patterns: the patterns behind how people think, use language, communicate, make decisions, build relationships and respond to different situations.

These patterns influence everyday life, learning, work and performance. By becoming more aware of them, people can often develop greater choice, flexibility and effectiveness.

NLP can be useful for individuals who want to understand themselves better, communicate more clearly, build confidence or support personal development.

It can also be useful for teams and organisations that want to improve communication, leadership, collaboration, culture, wellbeing or performance.

Ian Gilbert offers a great insight into NLP in the foreward of David Hodgson's Book, The Little Book of Inspirational Teaching Activities - read the extract here

How could NLP help in real life?

NLP offers practical models, tools and techniques that can be applied in many situations.

For individuals, NLP may support:

• confidence and self-awareness
• communication and relationships
• motivation and goal-setting
• personal development
• managing pressure
• learning and performance
• changing unhelpful habits or patterns

For teams and organisations, NLP may support:

• clearer communication
• stronger working relationships
• leadership development
• coaching and mentoring
• team performance
• conflict resolution
• organisational change
• workplace wellbeing

NLP does not promise instant answers or one-size-fits-all solutions. It offers practical ways to explore how people think, communicate and behave, and how different choices may create different outcomes.

Where is NLP used?

NLP is used in a wide range of personal, professional and organisational settings, including:

• personal development
• coaching and mentoring
• education and learning
• leadership and management
• business and organisational development
• training and professional development
• therapy and wellbeing contexts
• healthcare communication
• sport and performance
• sales, negotiation and customer service
• parenting, relationships and family communication

How NLP is used depends on the context and on the training, experience and professional background of the person using it.

NLP and modelling excellence

NLP began in the 1970s when Richard Bandler and John Grinder studied people who were particularly effective in communication, therapy and change work.

They explored a simple question:

What are excellent people doing that makes them effective?

This became known as modelling excellence: identifying useful patterns in how people think, communicate and behave, then finding ways for others to learn from those patterns.

This remains an important part of NLP today. NLP is interested in what works, how it works and how useful patterns can be applied in different contexts.

You can read more on our History & Background to NLP page.

What NLP is not

NLP is sometimes misunderstood. It is not magic, mind control, manipulation or a guaranteed quick fix.

It is also not a replacement for appropriate medical, psychological, legal, financial or professional advice where that is needed.

NLP is best understood as a practical approach to exploring patterns in thinking, language, behaviour and communication. Like any professional approach, its value depends on how appropriately and ethically it is used.

You can read more on our What NLP Is Not and Myths, Opinions and Misconceptions pages.

Is NLP relevant to me?

NLP may be relevant if you are interested in how people think, communicate, learn, perform and change.

It may be useful if you are exploring personal development, professional development, communication, leadership, coaching, education, wellbeing, team development or organisational change.

Where should I go next?

If you are thinking about working with an NLP professional, it is important to choose someone who is appropriately trained and works ethically. ANLP members have chosen to be part of an independent professional body and have agreed to work within ANLP’s standards and Code of Ethics.

In summary

NLP is a practical approach to understanding how people think, communicate, behave, learn and change.

It can support individuals, teams and organisations by increasing awareness, improving communication, developing flexibility and creating more useful choices.