NLP Techniques for Career Development
It’s great when a person has goals and ambition. For example, after starting a new job, you may not want to settle for what you’ve achieved so far. You feel you have the knowledge and energy to reach higher positions. Career growth is your goal, and the main thing left is to find the right path to get there.
It’s no surprise that everyone sees their own unique path. As we interact with the world, we each receive knowledge and information differently. Some people perceive the world through visual images (visuals), others through sensations (kinesthetics), and others process everything through hearing (auditories). Thanks to research in this area, a new way was found to turn dreams into reality. In the 1970s, a young scientist in mathematics and computer science, Richard Bandler, together with linguist John Grinder, created neuro-linguistic programming, known today as NLP. Although the theory is relatively new, its techniques have helped many people overcome what once seemed impossible.
Tatyana, 20 years old: “I was very shy since childhood and never believed in myself. I chose the same profession as my friend—office administrator. I would have kept working there… if I hadn’t attended an NLP training. My life literally turned around, it was like I started living anew… Now I work as a deputy director of a company.”
The Three Foundations of NLP
So, you’ve set your sights on career growth—NLP can be a great teacher. Why? Because the theory reveals the secrets of the processes happening in a person’s mind and how they are reflected in speech. This allows you to “draw,” or more accurately, program successful actions. After all, career advancement often depends on:
- Mutual understanding with your boss and colleagues.
- Quickly overcoming problems with maximum calmness.
- Rationality at work, good memory, and the ability to find new ideas.
To find a common thread of communication between you and your boss, the main thing is to determine their type. How do they perceive the world? For example, an auditory person will respond to speech by emphasizing hearing—using words like “told,” “I hear,” “listening,” and so on. If they’re a visual, you’ll likely hear words related to “seeing” or “imagining.” When talking to a kinesthetic, it’s all about “feelings” and “sensations.”
The second helpful NLP observation is the pace of your conversation partner’s speech. An auditory’s speech is like a song they enjoy, a visual often has a high-pitched voice and speaks quickly without pauses, while a kinesthetic has a deep voice, speaks slowly, and pronounces words as if explaining rules.
The third helpful NLP observation is breathing rhythm, facial expressions, gestures, and posture. If you’re talking to a visual, they’ll try to avoid any kind of touch, while a kinesthetic, on the contrary, will want to touch you, maybe even hug you. As for an auditory, they are always attentive and demanding listeners—don’t interrupt them with words or movements, or they’ll take offense.
Conclusion: By identifying the character of your boss and the people around you—those who can play a big role in your career—you’ll have a real picture of how to build conversations with them: what to focus on, what to say first, and what to highlight.
Three NLP Exercises
1. The Mowgli Principle: “We Are of the Same Blood”
To achieve your goal, you need to be sensitive to the situation—in other words, when communicating, try to “become” the other person. People subconsciously perceive others by similarity, feeling a “kindred spirit.” To get closer to your conversation partner and achieve positive results, try this technique: play “mirror.” During the conversation, subtly mimic their facial expressions, gestures, and breathing rhythm. Do this gently—not like teasing a monkey at the zoo. For example, if they gesture with their hand, repeat it with your own hand; if their breathing has a rhythm, match it with the rhythm of your body movements.
2. Singing in Unison
What if your job involves talking on the phone? It’s easier when you can see the person and their behavior. NLP suggests finding a “common thread” even in voice-only communication. Listen carefully to the tempo, tone, and pitch of the other person’s voice. Imagine a musical instrument that feels familiar to you and “play along” with your own voice. Harmonizing your voices is the key to achieving the desired result.
3. Anchoring with Mood: Drop Anchor
In NLP, an “anchor” is a way to attract the attention of an important person. The “anchor” exercise also helps you stay calm and balanced in any situation, which is crucial for your career. To “anchor” a person or situation, find a “touching” moment. For example, during a conversation, when something pleasant comes up and your conversation partner reacts with a smile or happy emotions, try to touch them. The sensation of your touch at a good moment will stay in their memory, associating you with positive feelings.