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WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN INTERVIEW CONDUCTED THROUGH THE INTERNET BY OWEN FITZPATRICK OF THE IRISH INSTITUTE OF NLP IN MARCH 2002.
OWEN : WHAT IN YOUR WORDS IS "THE MAGIC OF WORDS" ALL ABOUT?
JOHN LAVALLE : Words are magic, they always have been. They are basis for how we run our own internal programs. To me, our language is to our brain what DOS is/was to computers. Get the syntax correct, and things work well. Screw up the syntax and…..
O: WHAT CAN SOMEBODY EXPECT FROM THIS WORKSHOP?
J: The magic of words is designed to teach others how language works, how they can recognize the opportunities they have right there inside their minds. They can expect no dull moments, that's for sure.
O: WHAT WILL SOMEBODY BE ABLE TO DO WHEN THEY WALK AWAY FROM THIS WORKSHOP?
J: They'll be sure to at least recognize how easy it can be for them to get more of what they want in their lives when they can readily detect their own language, make the adjustments, etc. so they can be more effective, more successful at whatever it is they do.
O: HOW CAN SUCH A SIMPLE SEMINAR PRODUCE SUCH POWERFUL RESULTS?
J: Because I'm a simple kind of guy who knows that the most powerful changes come from the most subtle adjustments in language, both verbal and nonverbal. And I like to take the easy way out as long as it produces the most powerful change possible and I like for others to do the same.
O: CAN YOU GIVE ME A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE INTO HOW WORDS CAN CHANGE MINDS?
J: Sure, I was coaching a woman who wanted to increase her business. She said she could increase her business if she could get over to NY City. I, of course, told her to go. She replied, Well, I'm afraid to drive *over* the bridge. I though, "Hell, me, too." She asked, "Then how can you help me?" I replied, "Because I'm not afraid to drive *across* the bridge. You can *see yourself* doing that, can't you?" She, responded with, "Oh yeah, that's easy." To me driving *over* the bridge wasn't a pleasant picture.
O: What business experience have you got?
J: My business experience extends almost the full range of all operations: from Human Resources to Manufacturing to Sales & Marketing to Quality Control, just about everything except the bean counting, which I do in my own business now, and information systems, which I do in my own business now.
O: How long have you been training in NLP? How many hours have you logged in?
J: I stopped counting the hours when I reached 4,000 and that was about 6 years ago. I count all my training time with Richard, even if/when I'm co-training with him because there's so much more to keep learning.
O: How do you persuade someone?
J: Very well…… Hahahaha. In the course of learning in Ireland . . . it will be inside the Magic of Words!!
O: What is NLP?
J: After all these years ya still gotta ask?
O: I know, still havent figured it out
J: That makes both of us. OK, to me, NLP is about how the brain works and language, both verbal and nonverbal language. And how we can affect our behavior with language, both verbal and nonverbal.
O: How can it be used?
J: I think the question of How is so broad based that you'd want to go to a training program for this answer. I think what you may be asking is when and where, yes? So I'll answer that way. Quite simply, it can be used where anyone has a brain and when they have the desire to do things differently, that is to learn, change, etc. As far as I can tell, those are the only requirements.
O: Is NLP a type of psychology?
J: I don't categorize NLP as a type of psychology because NLP is truly educational. It may have therapeutic effects, but so do lots of other things that don't come under psychology.
O: Does it really work?
J:Does it really work? Would I be doing this for as many years as I have been if it didn't?
O: Good Point, Is NLP manipulative?
J: When I'm asked this question, I'm careful to go with the literal meaning of "manipulate", which to move something from point A to point B deliberately. And so the answer is, YES. The flip side is when someone does something (to manipulate another) and it doesn't work they say I didn't do it on purpose and I agree, if they had, it would have worked better. The word manipulate seems to have adopted a negative connotation based on people's experiences of the word, not it's intended purpose.
O: What's the difference between a Practitioner and a Master Practitioner course?
J: A Practitioner course is where people learn all the basics of the technology. The master practitioner sourse is really meant for them to *master* their pracitioner level skills.
O: Master, how specifically?
J: Just like learning anything. At first, people learn how to do something, then they fine tune, hone their skill at it. With new challenges, new perspectives, new opportunities to apply their skills in their own area of expertise.
O: Why do other nlp courses 21 days to teach a practitioner course and some in much shorter time?
J : Only the people who take 21 days know why it takes them so long. I have no clue.
O: Good answer... what's unconscious installation?
J: It's a term people have become accustomed to that means learned so well that they don't have to remember what to do, when, how, or anything. The behavior becomes automatic, like walking, driving, speaking, and even more seemingly complicated behaviors, as well
O: What kind of people have/ do you work with one to one? For what kind of problems?
J: I don't work with people who have problems. I work with people who want to do things differently, who want to enhance their lives, be more effective, more successful, etc.
O: What do you think inspired Richard to create NHR?
J: I think he started discovering so many new things that he had to give them a new name, mostly because they are beyond the edge of what many people would consider esoteric, and I quite a few that don't. Remember, there are still many people who still don't believe how well NLP works!
O: Tell me about it!
O: WHATS THE BEST INTERVENTION YOU'VE EVER SEEN DONE? LOG THAT...OR ONE OF THEM?
J: Well, watching RB is always a treat! Saw him hypnotize a guy who said he couldn't be hypnotized, from the neck down. RB had the guy doing things with his body but his head kept saying it was a cool trick, but wasn't him.
O: HOW LONG HAVE YOU CO-TRAINED WITH Richard?
J: I've been co-training with Richard since about 1987-88
O: WHATS THE BEST TRAINING YOU'VE EVER DONE OR EXPERIENCED? OR DO YOU REMEMBER?
J: The last one because they keep getting better all the time. It's that generative thing.
O: WHY DID YOU SET UP THE NLP SEMINARS GROUP?
J: To stay out of prison.
O: You know that actually makes sense!!
J: I wanted to add another dimension to my consulting practice: public seminars.
O: John, I've a couple of questions I was told to ask you, if it's OK. With your time in business, How do you deal with mood hoovers in a business environment.
J: Mood Hoovers?
O: Yeah, those people that walk into a room and suck up all the good feelings by being negative and cynical about everything. Always complaining and when people see them they say OH NO.
J: I ignore them. It drives them crazy. It's attention they want. Now, when I ignore them, it drives them to do it even more until they make fools of themselves, then I get to ask them a question. The question depends on what they're doing, but it usually points in the direction of where they want to go that's positive.
O: An example?
J: Well, since mostly they're not aware that others don't want to have anything to do with them, I may ask, if there were something that you're doing that is really quite annoying, and you didn't even know you were doing it, would you want someone to be good enough to tell you?
O: How do you deal with a situation where by in a company there are two groups negotiating..... and one of the groups keep refusing what their representatives come back with each time so nothing moves... How do you solve that as a consultant?… When those with the power don't actually have the power... and because of that things get stuck..
J: If that's happening, then the rep obviously hasn't negotiated with his own group first.
O: So what can you do to help the people on the other side if there the only ones that ask for help?
J: Help them renegotiate their role in the company. Period. Most companies have no clue what they're doing with groups, etc. committees, etc.
O: HOW DO YOU KNOW A GOOD TRAINER IN NLP?
J: Really, when they can get results quickly and easily and help others do the same. And they're not into themselves.
O: Into themselves?
J: Yeah, you'll know the signs because they have their heads up their asses. They're paying more attention to themselves than to others. They can impress themselves easily. But can't get results. Because they're not paying attention outside.
These aren't good trainers. The good ones know how to make certain sacrifices in order to help others get what the other wants. They have flexibility. They have morals. They are honest and they know what they can and can't do. They know there are some things they must be able to do if they truly want to help others.
The definition of humility is to proud of the things you can do and the things you can't do, don't brag that you can. It's simple. "I don't know" are the 3 most powerful words someone can use.
O: Finally John, Why have you decided to come to Ireland to do this special workshop?
J: You have inspired me with your tenacity, your honesty, your forthrightness, your sense of humor and if that's true of the Irish over there, then I want into that party. So you have a reputation to meet for all the wonderful people in Ireland!
O: Thanks a lot John. Appreciate you taking the time to answer some questions.
J: No problem.
WHO IS JOHN LAVALLE?
John La Valle is regarded as a world leader in the area of influential communication. He is well known for providing worldwide NLP training with the co-founder of NLP Dr Richard Bandler. His seminars really speak for themselves and one thing is sure, you will be surprised at just how much better you will get as you learn from John the secrets of powerful persuasion and precision communication.
John is a Licensed Master Trainer of NLP™ & DHE™, who has been in the American training & development field for over twenty years and who has brought NLP™ and DHE™ into the international business arena for the past twelve years. He is known to many as one of the greatest NLP trainers in the world. He is the co-author, with Richard Bandler, of Persuasion Engineering™. John has shared his experience and excellent genius with many fortune 100 companies with outstanding results.
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