The first of 3 Top Tips to help you influence change and break down resistance.

It's human nature to shun change. Millions of years of evolution have taught us to constantly seek and protect what we need to survive and reject anything that may threaten us. Freud called it the 'Pleasure principle'; seeking comfort and avoiding pain or suffering. So, why would we want to change something that we believe has served us well?

This theory may have worked well for millions of years and of course still does to an extent. However, in a blink of planet earth's 'eye', the way we live our lives has changed beyond recognition and today more than ever we need to be receptive to change and be able to readily adapt. We are no longer the hunter/ gatherers that we were for millions of years.

A clearly defined everyday example of resistance to change could be the number of people who do not and will not 'use' the internet because they claim it is no benefit and why should they start now? Why indeed....?

If we accept the above, and the need to change, then we need to equip ourselves with the tools that can assist in promoting that change.

Some of you may have heard of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). It was developed in the 1970's and is rapidly gaining recognition globally. NLP explores the relationships between how we think (neuro), how we communicate (linguistic) and our patterns of behaviour and emotion (programmes).

By studying and learning from these relationships people can effectively transform the way they traditionally think and act, adopting new, far more successful models of human excellence. (This activity is called modelling and is a key feature that distinguishes NLP from psychology). In effect, NLP is a powerful change management tool that transforms the way people think and act to have the greatest impact both professionally and personally. That’s why NLP is one of the most powerful skills used in business management, psychology, sales, sports coaching and all forms of personal development and engagement.
Over the next few blogs I will suggest some key NLP tools that could prove useful in the context of this forum starting with..

Representational systems

Which of our senses do we best relate to? Most people have a preference or selection of preferences. For example, if you were asked 'Do you see where I'm coming from'? Could imply the person asking the question may have vision as a preferred sense (if only in this scenario).
 
Here's a link to a simple 5 point test to gauge your preferred Rep system

http://www.transformdestiny.com/nlp-guide/nlp-representational-systems-preference-test.asp


Remember – NLP is not science, it is a pragmatic school of thought that can and may give you an insight as to how others 'tick', create rapport and help promote change. Why not give it a go?

Greg Fisher
February 2013

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a big but fascinating subject. Greg’s introduction to it and examples from the NLP ‘tool-kit’ will be really valuable to anyone interested in engaging people and managing resistance to change.

ciChange is planning its’ activities for 2013. If you are interested in finding out more about Individual and Team communication and how tools like NLP can be used to support change in behaviours please offer feedback via email or Linked-In.

Tim Rogers

Founder ciChange
timrogers@ciChange.org
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/CI-Change-4301853

ciChange seminar and networking events for 2013 sponsored by Total Solutions Group http://www.tsgi.co/