Richard Bandler and John Grinder – Creators of NLP
By Vikki Brock
Richard Bandler (born 1950, from philosophy and psychology) and John Grinder (born 1940, from linguistics) are creators of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). They modeled and imitated the intuitive language of Milton Erickson, Virginia Satir, and Fritz Perls. Their basic premise was that language is linked to our neurology and it reflects the internal structures. Jeff Staggs described it as “if you look at the different ways we structure language and relationships, they can indicate how we structure reality”. Coaches identify contributions of NLP to coaching as including visualization, repetition, modeling, and methods of asking great questions.
How has NLP influenced your coaching?
Vikki G. Brock, Ph.D., EMBA, MCC
Leadership & Mentor Coach
Director, History & Archives Division
Comment by Billy C H Teoh on 28 February 2010:
All communication models including NLP are useful in coaching when used appropriately. I particulary find the concept of ‘frames’ useful in coaching.
I was trained & certified in NLP in the early 1990s, and subsequently underwent refreshers (including NS or neurosemantics in 2006/2007).
I am wondering: should we ‘interpret’ the hundreds of NLP/NS patterns (for example: SWISH) as more of therapeutic or coaching ‘interventions’?
Billy C H Teoh
Malaysia.
Comment by Vikki Brock on 26 February 2010:
Dr. Saisanit,
I wish you the best with continuing your studies in Asia. Here at the Commons we are not in direct contact with Richard Bandler or John Grinder so you will want to contact them directly.
Vikki Brock, MCC, Ph.D.
Director, History and Archive Division
The Coaching Commons
Comment by Dr. Boonlert Saisanit on 26 February 2010:
Dear Sirs,
My name is Boonlert Saisanit would like to continue my study on Master NLP Trainer for Dr. Richard Bandler and John Grinder in Asia if possible.
Dr. Boonlert Saisanit
Comment by Coach Lynn Kindler on 19 August 2008:
Hi Vikki,
Thank you so much for bringing up the topic of NLP and Richard Bandler. I remember when I was first introduced to coaching back in 1998 (Steve Straus and Thomas Leonard), what caught my attention was the language they used and how they “heard” what was said and beyond. After going through the CoachU and SUN programs, I understand more than ever how crucial a tool NLP is for a Coach.
After taking Yoga classes for years with a technical friend, I learned that he was very involved in NLP.
I sent him the link to your article on Richard and learned that my friend was just in Berkeley for 5 days with Mia Segal and Leora Gaster learning more about the Feldenkrais Method. Mia was Feldnekrais’ first assistant and Leora her daughter was raised under his supervision. Leora has moved to Austin and is in the process of setting up a International Mind-Body-Study Center. According to my friend, they are both amazing and fascinating people. Richard and John were both fascinated with Feldenkrais’s work and spent time with him in California. Leora has remained a life long friend of John’s and he will probably play some role in the Mind-Body-Study Center.
Would love to hear your two cents about the Feldnekrais method as well.
Incidentally, Richard Bandler will be in Las Vegas the weekend of September 5 and will offer a free lecture as part of the “Neuroscience meets Recovery” Conference 9/4-6. I believe it is going to be held at the Las Vegas Hilton and I don’t think you have to be registered to attend.
Thanks again for this topic.
Comment by Doris on 11 August 2008:
Hi Vikki – and apparently my photo’s gone missing again…
Anyhow, I apologize if I wasn’t clear earlier.
With “best practice guide” I was referring to NLP itself. As you noted in your article, Bandler and Grinder extrapolated the linguistic and therapeutic approach of three all-time experts, Satir, Perls and Erickson. These three apparently worked out of gut and instinct, and Bandler and Grinder found a way to make their instinct teachable by looking at what the three had in common and what made them successful: namely, how they communicated in a way to establish rapport, to turn around negative thoughts or emotions, and to facilitate purposeful action in their patients. (that’s how the first booklet of my coaching studies put it.)
To me, this is best practice, because it boils down lessons that the three experts developed over decades of experience. As much as we have to remember that knowledge of NLP cannot replace those decades of experience, it’s still a great way to hit the ground running, especially when coaching (mentally healthy) clients.
I’m grateful to B & G for having taken the time to research, analyze, test, apply, test again, and share the results; to all other innovators out there in the field, who spend their time trying to come up with ways to make things easier for us coaches; and of course to you guys, who provide this forum so we can have a blather about it all.
Warmest wishes,
Doris
Comment by Vikki G. Brock on 9 August 2008:
Hi Doris,
I appreciate your deserted coaching island scenario – it got me to thinking what I would take with me from all my tools and methods. I’m curious about the “best practice guide” that you reference. I’m sure others reading this might like to see this guide, as would I.
Vikki G. Brock
Director, History and Archive Division
Comment by Doris on 8 August 2008:
For me, NLP represents a comprehensive way of looking at myself, my clients, coaching in general, our culture even with open eyes and a sympathetic, empathetic, forgiving, and understanding attitude. I mean, how radical to assume this day in age that every person has all the necessary resources inside them, and always does the best they can in any given situation, when it would be so much easier to say that “they” need help or “they” are out to hurt us on purpose!
To think we’re ok as persons and that it’s our behavior that may need tweaking, but not our essence, and that indeed the map is not the territory, but only a representation of what we believe there to be, depending on our upbringing and the way we connect individual memories to the feelings we invoke about particular forms of expression – it boggles the mind.
If I had to pick a couple of NLP-based methods to take to a deserted coaching island with me, I’d say they are anchoring, reframing, and the continuous analysis and questioning of our beliefs. Probably, if there’s still room in the suitcase, I’d also pack representational systems, sorting styles, and filters, because they’re so helpful in finding out what makes us act the way we do. But, to answer the question: NLP influences my coaching in many ways, and I am grateful for all the work that’s been done in terms of formulating a best practice guide for making sense of it all.
Looking forward to more comments,
Doris