Profiles
Introductory video to NLP Profiles.
NLP Profiles (Meta Programmes) are sensory filters particular to each of us. These are often expressed in a person’s choice of language. Learning about Meta Programmes helps us better understand ourselves and others.
We all have different preferences. In this section we explore five key NLP Meta Programmes so that you can decide your own preferences and start to be aware of the preferences of other people. We’ll then look at how we can use this awareness to influence and motivate ourselves and others.
Five NLP Meta Programmes.
Which of the following set of words do you resonate with most?
(Or are you somewhere between the two?)
Motivation Level
Which set of words appeals the most?
(a). Do it, jump in, get it done, just do it, right away.
(b). Think about it, wait, analyse, find out, learn more.
If your preference is (a) you’re more on the ‘active’ side, if it’s (b) you’re more on the ‘reactive’ side.
Motivational Direction
Which of these appeals the most?
(a). Attain, obtain, have, get, achieve, outcome.
(b). Avoid, prevent, eliminate, solve, get rid of, so we don’t have to.
If you’re preference is (a) you’re more on the ‘towards’ side, if it’s (b) you’re more on the ‘away from’ side.
Motivational Source
How do you know if you’ve done a good job?
(a). You just know.
(b). Feedback, others tell you, others notice.
If you know automatically, then you’re internally referenced. If you need feedback or external validation (b) you’re externally referenced.
Motivational Choice
Which of these sets appeals the most?
(a). Opportunity, variety, possibilities, lots of choice, break the rules, do it differently.
(b). The right way, first… second… third, procedures.
If you resonate with (a) you’re more on the ‘options’ side, if you resonate with (b) you’re more towards procedures.
Working organisation
Which of these sets appeals most?
(a). People’s names, feelings, thoughts, relationships, people I know.
(b). Tasks, systems, things, goals, processes, what I did.
If you resonate with (a) you’re more people orientated, if you resonate with (b) you’re more task orientated.
How these Meta Programmes can help us communicate and influence.
Most of us are influenced more by one set of words than the other. This can even mean that we simply don’t consciously hear the other set.
When we speak using the words that resonate with others, it’s much more likely that they will listen to us.
The simplest way to ensure this happens is to occasionally use exactly the same words the other person uses to express themself, with a similar tone of voice.
When we are trying to work out which side of the profile they are likely to prefer, we can use words from both sides until it becomes clearer.
For example, in the case of ‘motivational level’ we could start with “We’ve thought about it carefully, we’ve analysed the information and we’re now ready jump in and just do it.”
The more we can align to our client’s and our audience’s preferences, the more they will listen to us and the more we can influence them.
Suggested Exercise.
Imagine that you have to give a presentation. Write down a sentence or phrase that would appeal to both sides of each Meta Programme.
- Motivational level (Active/Reactive)
- Motivational direction (Towards/Away-from)
- Motivational source (Internal/External reference.)
- Motivation choice (Options/Procedures)
- Working organisation (People/task oriented.)
In the next session we look at Modelling. A key skill in NLP.
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Key NLP Techniques Section Index
1: NLP Techniques
2: Affirmations
3: Amplify feelings
4: Bad memories (Dissolving)
5: Bad memories (Exploding)
6: Belief change
7: NLP Coaching
8: Perceptual positions
9: Fast phobia cure
10: Hypnosis and meditation and separately Free Hypnosis MP3s
11: Luck
12: Mental Rehearsal
13: Metaprogrammes, Profiles and Preferences
14: Modelling
15: Progressive dissociation
16: Rapport
17: Self Compassion
18: Submodalities
19. Six step re-framing
20: Storytelling
21: States and anchors
22: Strategies
23. Swish
24: Timeline therapy
25: Visual Squash
26: Values
27: Summary
