The world outside is a mirror image of what’s inside of us. Our past experiences influence the way we react and our beliefs make us perceive situations in a specific way. As products of our environment our personalities have been programmed to think and function in a certain way.

However true it is, you’ve got the power to train your brain, alter your behavior and the direction of your life. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is one such tool that can help us lead a more productive and contented life. It looks deep into our thoughts and feelings as factors within our control rather than something that happens to us.

At a training program organized by CorporateConnections I gained new insights into NLP techniques that I believe will help business leaders increase confidence to grow their business and achieve their goals. In this article, I outline the essence of NLP and the several ways it can help leaders.

• Language, thought and behavior are interconnected, and this is the essence of NLP.
• Neuro: refers to the information we take in through our five senses.
• Linguistics: refers to the language, which helps organize our thoughts and communication.
• Programming: acknowledges we can alter our thoughts and behaviors to produce the desired outcome.

NLP is a powerful technique that we can utilize to change our perceptions and feelings towards a particular situation. It’s like changing your lens to view the world as a glass half-full instead of half-empty. For e.g when you’re stuck in a traffic jam after a stressful day of work, instead of getting irritated view the situation as an opportunity to relax. Listen to music, or a podcast that you wouldn’t otherwise have time for. By reframing the situation, you move from annoyance to contentment.

NLP was initially used to cure phobias, decrease anxiety and reduce stress. However, its ability to strengthen the mind made it ideal for business as well. Here are ways NLP can be of help:

• Improve communication: By understanding how language and behavior are connected leaders can tailor their communication style to the individual’s they’re interacting with. Varied NLP techniques can be used to make communication more effective when dealing with colleagues or customers.
• Enhance leadership: By understanding what motivates others, NLP can help leaders enhance their ability to inspire others to achieve results and formulate better strategies.
• Sharpen EQ: By giving a better understanding of the emotional states of others, NLP can help leaders leverage this knowledge to build stronger relationships, improve teamwork and create a more positive work culture.
• Set goals: NLP techniques such as visualization, goal framing, and anchoring help in goal setting. By developing a clear vision of what is to be achieved leaders can align their actions with their goals.
• Solve problems: NLP as a tool can be used to identify thinking patterns. This can help leaders resolve conflicts by using the language people understand and help them overcome their limiting beliefs.

In conclusion, NLP offers business leaders a wide range of tools and techniques to improve overall performance, enhance productivity and achieve greater success.