Not all NLP is the same...!
One of the questions I often get asked is "Isn't all NLP the same?"
I reply that it is certainly not all the same, which usually surprises people. After all, most other bodies of knowledge and life skills are organised and regulated. However NLP does not have an independent, democratic and authoritative central body to monitor standards either in the UK or internationally.
Although I personally believe this is one of the factors which has contributed to some forms of NLP being fresh, ever-evolving and creative this does have a downside which is that the would-be NLP learner is faced with a bewildering and confusing range of NLP courses and NLP course providers.
Our tips
Here at Pegasus NLP we seek to alert people to the need to be very careful in their research and adopt a 'caveat emptor' approach. For example,
We have a web-page suggesting 7 questions to consider when choosing an NLP Training provider.
We also have an article on the difference between the so-called 'fast track' NLP training courses and the more thorough ones which use the full syllabus, full length format.
We are also Founder Members of the Professional Guild of NLP which represents over 20 training providers who, like ourselves, support the full-length, full-syllabus NLP courses.
This page provides below examples of some NLP course styles which, through quite common, would definitely not be in line with the Professional Guild principles.
And, yes, of course we made sure that Pegasus NLP scored highly on all 7 points! But so do other NLP course providers, and especially organisations who belong to the Professional Guild of NLP.
8 NLP courses to be a little wary of...
This is a list of 'course types' that I have come across either through attending them or through hearing about them from people who have subsequently come along to Pegasus NLP Courses.
(1) The Sheep Dip Course: like sheep being dipped, you are quickly whizzed through a bewildering range of topics in a few days with few opportunities to actually practise what you are learning - "there's no need - it's all in the manual!"
(2) The 'New Trainer' course: using 'fast track courses' it is now possible to be certified as an 'NLP trainer' in two or three weeks which means you could be attending a course delivered by an NLP trainer who knew nothing about NLP a few weeks earlier! Indicators include: they read out from their course manual, discourage questions (see below), and talk a lot about how good they are. Compare this with NLP Trainers who are recognised by the Professional Guild of NLP - they must have a minimum of 480 hours of hands-on NLP learning experience - that's equivalent to twelve 40-hour weeks of live training.)
(3) Show biz courses: here it's all about the presenter, rather than about you the learner. You are their audience - and their power-dressing, over-the-ear microphone, rehearsed patter, practised smile and use of inspiring music and sound effects are all carefully designed to manage your moods from start to finish - and that choreographed finish often involves "sign up at the back of the room right now to get 10% off the next course!"
(4) The best is yet to come: you come along expecting to learn what's on the attractive list of course topics. Instead you receive short lectures of the topics because 'this is an Intro - you have to sign up for the next course to be able to use the methods properly'.
(5) Listen quietly please!: inexperienced trainers hate questions, in case you ask one they cannot answer. So they discourage questions by having a large group, rushing through the topics quickly, and by continuous fast patter.
(6) Therapy and healing courses: nearly 40 years ago NLP grew out the study of how effective therapists worked. So it's not surprising that many NLP courses are still therapy or hypnosis based. This is great if it's the kind of NLP experience you are looking for - but not, perhaps, if you want to be able to use NLP in you everyday home and working life.
(7) Get 6 'qualifications' in one!: here you attend a few days training and, presto, you receive a sheaf of pre-signed certificates at the end - you're now 'qualified' in just about everything from NLP to palmistry!
(8) Who are you?: on some NLP courses you can be part of an audience of anything 50 to 100's. Here it's a numbers game and to the trainers you're just one of the crowd. You may be able to ask the occasional question during the presentation (though rarely a supplementary one) but during break times access to the presenter will discouraged by lots of 'training assistants' who, in return for marshalling the masses, get to re-attend the course free.
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Reg Connolly
Further help in choosing the right course for you
Click on these links for more information about NLP
NLP FAQ
Why learn NLP
How to learn NLP
Where to learn NLP - and how to choose a training provider
NLP Core Skills - our course in the New Forest
What's special about Pegasus NLP Trainings
What people have said about our courses
How we integrate NLP with outdoor activities
