More thoughts on NLP Persuasion Techniques – The Redefine
Variations on Persuasion Techniques Language
I received an excellent email from Martin who has been studying the redefine pattern from The Persuasion Skill Black Book.
Martin’s email demonstrates the amount of flexibility in this simple pattern. The issue isn’t about using the pattern word for word but how you can adapt it to your own language. This is because doing it your way means you can be flexible in the way you integrate the information into your normal life.
Received: Monday 25th May 20:32
From: Martin
Hi Rintu,
Thank-you for the emails, downloads and encouragement. It seems rude not to reply to at least one of them, even though I’m not ready to start using language patterns properly yet.
Before I do start practicing in the outside world I wonder if you could clear something up for me. You ask us to think of alternative ways of using the redefine pattern in lesson 1 and I wonder if you could look at my initial thoughts to confirm if I’m on the right track.
I was thinking along the lines of:
a) Its not a case of (x), its more a case of (y) because/which means…
b) Not sure (x) is the problem/solution, I think (y) could be more suitable because/which means…
c) I don’t think (x) is the whole thing, probably (y) has more to do with it because/which means…
d) Is it (x), or is it (y) because/which means…
e) The problem/solution isn’t (x), its (y) because/which means…
I know you were making things more interesting by actually filling in the x, y and because but I can do that if I know how flexible I can be with the wording e.g. uncertainties such as probably, could be, I think/don’t think etc. - words that may be less commanding and obvious, do they still work?
Hope it makes sense.
Martin
NLP Answers to NLP Questions
In answer to Martin’s question by using different variations on the theme makes it easier to say things in your way and is therefore entirely a good thing. Each one of the statements Martin makes will work. Each of them have slightly different effects and a probably more useful in certain contexts.
Softening Phrases
Using a phrase like “I’m not sure that (x) is the problem, but (y) might be a better solution” is much softer and less commanding. This means that in certain contexts it will work much better and in others probably less well. For example if I were delegating upwards to an uncompromising boss that like to show their authority and does not respond well to direct commands this might be the way to say it
“I’m not sure that your demanding nature is a good solution but letting go of your need to micro manage might help the situation.”
Rather than:
“The issue is not how loud you shout but how much of an idiot you look making needless demands, do you need to demonstrate your bullying nature or do you just want a solution to the problem?”
With Persuasive Techniques Context is All
Trust me, I have used close to both phrases above and had them work very effectively. The first I have used in a situation with a very dictatorial boss as explained above.
The second phrase I used on one of my managers when I caught them being unnecessarily aggressive with a member of their team. My outcomes were to make sure they knew who was in charge, give them a taste of their own medicine and shift them to solution thinking rather than being stuck in taking things out on their team. Again it was very effective. I suspect it would not have worked for the member of staff that was being bullied because they would not have had the back up organisational power that I had at the time.
Remember context is everything when applying these patterns and there are many different variations of all the themes discussed in The Persuasion Skills Black Book.
NLP Language Patterns; Just Have a Go
Martin has done a great job of thinking through different variation, scenarios and how it fits with his style and language. The things that will now make the biggest difference to him is to just have a go. You can find more articles on how to practice, finding opportunities to practice and more ideas on applying Persuasive Techniques at this index page.