NLP For Managers How To Achieve Excellence At Work

By Dr Harry Alder Piatkus £9.99 (UK)

NLP or Neuro-Linguistic Programming was invented 20 years ago with the aim of establishing the patterns of communication behaviour used by successful therapists.

Since then the theory has sought to discover the patterns of success in successful people and, perhaps more importantly, patterns of excellence in ordinary people.

Rather than dismissing the idea as just another version of the current fashion for psychobabble, it is worth considering the emphasis NLP places on the individual in keeping with the focus of much management science.

We all know how important communication is in an organisation. It is a cornerstone of the theory that you cannot fail to communicate. "You can upset somebody without saying a word, or seemingly without moving a muscle."

In NLP, success is not measured on the basis of adherence to a set of principles or laws but on whether what you do actually works for you.

Dr Alder makes big claims for NLP and how it can transform the effectiveness of managers. He argues that it can make you more persuasive, exchange negative beliefs for more empowering thoughts and allow you to take control of how you feel during important occasions.

At the core of the NLP theory is the "act like a winner" dictum. Dr Alder argues that we become what our thoughts tell us to be. The brain can only accept the instructions of the imagery we create.

Given the huge claims made for the theory by Dr Alder, you should make an appointment with your shrink if you take everything seriously in NLP For Managers. However, if you take the book with a pinch of salt, you might pick up some tips on boosting your self-confidence and improving communication skills.

jmulqueen@irish-times.ie