NLP is an attitude, a way of thinking and living in the world, a field of knowledge that focuses on behavioral modeling, communication excellence and efficiency in action.

NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) has to do with 3 things:

Neuro: Nervous system through which experience is received and processed through the five senses

Linguistic: Words, language and nonverbal communication systems through which neural responses are coded, ordered and given meaning.

Programming: The ability to organize our communication and neurological systems to achieve specific desired goals and results.

There is no one single definition of NLP that effectively offers the wealth and breadth that the field reaches. Below are several definitions offered by many experts.

NLP began in the mid 1970’s as a model for communication excellence. NLP started as an idea by Richard Bandler and coordinated with John Grinder into a field for modeling behavioral excellence.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ (NLP™) is defined as the study of the structure of subjective experience and what can be calculated from that and is predicated upon the belief that all behavior has structure. People such as Virginia Satir, Milton Erickson and Fritz Perls had amazing results with their clients. They were some of the people who's linguistic and behavioral patterns Richard Bandler built formal models of. He then applied these models to his work.

Other definitions offered include:

• NLP is an attitude, a methodology, which leaves behind a trail of techniques (Richard Bandler)
• NLP is an accelerated learning strategy for the detection and utilization of patterns in the world (John Grinder)
• NLP is the epistemology of returning to what we have lost – a state of grace (John Grinder)
• NLP is whatever works (Robert Dilts).
• NLP is the Study of the Structure of Subjective Experience (Dilts, et al. 1980)
• NLP is an accelerated learning strategy for the detection and utilization of patterns in the world (Judith DeLozier and John Grinder, 1987)
• NLP is excellence and magic in communication; a set of principles that opens up a universe of possibilities (Jim Accetta)

Barbara Stepp, Master NLP and DHE trainer offers the following definitions:

NLP is an attitude…characterized by the sense of curiosity, adventure and a desire to learn the skills to be able to find out what kinds of communication influences somebody and the kinds of things worth knowing… to look at life as a rare and unprecedented opportunity to learn.

NLP is a methodology… based on the overall operational presupposition that all behavior has structure…and that structure can be modeled, learned, taught, and changed (re-programmed). The way to know what is useful and effective are the perceptual skills.

NLP has evolved as an innovative technology enabling the practitioner to organize information and perceptions in ways that allow them to achieve the results that were once
inconceivable.

Joseph O’Conner (2001) offers a rich definition in the form of a story:

A boy asked his mother, ‘What is NLP?’

His mother said ‘I will tell you in a moment, but first you have to do something so you can understand. See your grandfather over there in his chair?’

‘Yep,’ said the boy.

‘Go and ask him how his arthritis is today.’

The boy went over to his grandfather. ‘Granddad,’ he said, ‘how’s your arthritis today?’

‘Oh, it’s a bit bad, son,’ replied the old man. ‘It’s always worse in damp weather. I can hardly move my fingers today.’ A look of pain crossed his face.

The boy went back to his mother. ‘He said it was bad. I think it hurts him. Are you going to tell me what NLP is now?’

‘In a minute, I promise,’ replied his mother. ‘Now go over and ask Granddad what was the funniest thing you ever did when I was very young.’

The boy went over to his grandfather. ‘Granddad,’ he began, ‘what’s the funniest thing I ever did when I was very young?’

The old man’s face lit up. ‘Oh,’ he smiled, ‘there were lots of things. There was the time when you and your friend played Father Christmas and sprinkled talcum powder all over the bathroom pretending it was snow. I laughed – but I didn’t have to clean it up.’ He stared into the distance with a smile.
‘Then there was the time I took you out for a walk. It was a lovely day and you were singing a nursery rhyme you had just learned. Loudly. A man went past and gave you a nasty look. He thought you were being too noisy. He asked me to tell you to be quite. You turned around and said to him, “If you don’t like me singing, you can go and boil your head.” And carried on even louder… ‘The old man chuckled.

The boy went back to his mother. ‘Did you hear what Granddad said?’ he asked.

‘Yes,’ his mother replied. ‘You changed how he felt with a few words. That’s NLP.’

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