After years of research into critical thinking and the nature of thought, as well as the publication of more than ten books on the subject, the author explored Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) as a Thinking Model. This exploration followed a thorough review of early NLP literature to understand why its founders and developers positioned it as a Communication Model rather than a Thinking Model. The central question was: “What was their reasoning for doing so?”
NLP as a Communication Model
Seymour and O’Connor (1990) famously referred to NLP as “the martial art of communication: graceful, enjoyable, and very effective” (p. 41). However, upon revisiting one of the seminal texts on the subject, Introducing NLP by John Seymour and Joseph O’Connor, the author noticed a key insight early in the book: “NLP—a way of thinking about ideas and people” (1979, p. 21). This initially prompted reconsideration of the assertion that NLP had not been previously recognized as a Thinking Model. Yet, upon further examination, another realization emerged.
The Oversight of Thinking in NLP
The same text goes on to state, “What is thinking? … everyone knows intimately what thinking is for themselves. … Thinking is such an obvious commonplace activity, we never give it a second thought. We tend to think about what we think about, not how we think about it” (p. 43). By presenting thinking as an everyday, almost instinctive activity, they effectively dismissed it as a focal point, implying that it required no further analysis.
This approach seems to overlook a key insight from Gregory Bateson in his Preface to The Structure of Magic (1975). Bateson noted that he and his colleagues had spent years searching for the foundations of human psychology, linguistics, consciousness, and thinking. The breakthrough, he observed, came with the identification of sensory systems as the root of these phenomena. This discovery was crucial: thinking begins with the sensory representations we use to conceptualize what we are thinking about.
The Shift to Communication over Thinking
Nevertheless, NLP as a field largely bypassed the fundamental question, “What is thinking?” Instead, it focused on the question, “What is communication and how does it work?” The founders delved into the communication methods of figures like Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir, seeking to understand what made their communication styles transformative. In building the NLP Communication Model, they inadvertently sidelined the deeper issue of thinking, despite the fact that the model itself was constructed from thinking patterns, sensory representation systems, and cinematic features (referred to as “sub-modalities”).
The Success of NLP as a Communication Tool
While NLP as a Communication Model has proven highly effective, particularly with its focus on sensory systems (VAK—Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic), it has missed out on exploring the potential of addressing thought processes more directly. The VAK model has given profound insights into the mental “theater” where our thoughts operate, and it has laid the groundwork for numerous forms of intelligence, from learning and information gathering to knowledge building and modeling. Yet, like any powerful tool, NLP has occasionally been misused by unethical individuals seeking personal gain.
Missed Opportunities in Thinking
By emphasizing communication over thinking, NLP has missed opportunities to make broader changes in the world. At its core, the quality of one’s communication is inherently tied to the quality of one’s thinking. If a person’s thought processes are flawed—distorted, biased, or fallacious—their communication will inevitably reflect those errors. Therefore, the correction must occur at the level of thought, which is where critical thinking comes into play. Critical thinking involves examining one’s own thought processes, ensuring they align with reality, and striving for precision and accuracy. When this is achieved, it becomes much easier to facilitate personal change, inspire transformation in others, and, ultimately, effect change in the wider world.
This shift in focus toward thinking has led to the development of what is now called Brain Camps, where participants are trained in critical and creative thinking. These programs emphasize essential skills for critical thinking, eureka skills for creativity, and meta-skills for executive-level thinking.
The Challenge of Real Thinking
However, a challenge remains: thinking, particularly real, in-depth thinking, is hard work. As John Dewey observed in his classic work How We Think, true thinking is often triggered by problems. It is not until we encounter a problem—some form of confusion, doubt, or uncertainty—that we are prompted to think deeply. Those who go through life without encountering such intellectual challenges may not be engaging in true thinking. But the potential for genuine thought is always available, and with it comes the opportunity for profound personal and societal change. As Neuro-Semantics highlights, engaging in real thinking can lead to transformative experiences.
Curated by Danielle Tan.
Reference:
- [Neurons] 2024 Neurons #42 NLP: DEEPER THAN COMMUNICATION by L. Michael Hall, Ph.D. Executive Director, ISNS.
