A Guide to NLP Books for Managers
by Bryan Royds, NLP Trainer
NLP in Management Part II
What follows are my comments on the currently available NLP texts written specifically for managers, and on some other directly relevant NLP books. The best general introduction is probably Dr Harry Adlers' NLP for Managers, with Andreas & Faulkner's NLP - The New Technology of Achievement being the best for self-directed personal development.
Specifically for Managers:
- Alder, Dr Harry. NLP for Managers: How to Achieve Excellence at Work. Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd., London, 1996. Paperback, 227 pages, $29.95
A clear introduction to the NLP basics for personal and interpersonal effectiveness. Its five sections and 18 chapters cover: principles of nlp, achieving outcomes, understanding communication, personal effectiveness, and creative problem-solving.
- Dilts, Robert & Bonissone, Gino. Skills for the Future: Managing Creativity and Innovation. Meta Publications, California, 1993. Hardback, 432 pages, $64.95
A highly technical and detailed documentation of developing innovation in organisations. Its three long sections cover: personal creativity, coaching co-creativity, and managing group creativity. Not a good place to begin - more useful to trainers.
- Dilts, Robert. Visionary Leadership Skills. Meta Publications, California, 1996. Hardback, 275 pages, $56.95
A technical but reasonably accessible manual for effective leadership in organisations. Its nine chapters cover: what is leadership, turning vision into action, aligning levels of change in a system, creativity, managing belief systems, effective communication, leadership styles and the new learning paradigm. Manageable as a first introduction.
- Laborde, Genie. Influencing with Integrity: Management Skills for Communication and Negotiation. Syntony Publishing, California, 1983. Paperback, 231 pages, $33.50
An oldie but a goodie. Easy-to-read, well-illustrated and highly ethical introduction to some NLP communication basics. Its ten chapters cover: setting outcomes, rapport, thinking, questioning, flexibility, personal congruence, meetings, sales, and negotiation.
- McDermott, Ian & O'Connor, Joseph. Practical NLP for Managers. Gower publishing, Hampshire (UK), 1996. Hardback, 200 pages, $59.95
A wide-ranging and well-written introduction which briefly applies NLP to almost every contemporary management issue. Its eleven chapters cover: the learning organisation, rapport, perspectives, outcomes, personal resource states, teams, organisational and individual values, motivation, sensory language, working styles, appraisals, ethics and more.
- McMaster, Michael. Performance Management: Creating the Conditions for Results. Metamorphous Press, Oregon, 1994. Paperback, 299 pages, $46.95
A dense, detailed description of establishing and operating a continuous improvement performance management system, based on NLP and Werner Erhard's work. Although it would benefit from some graphics, and he errs into the misuse of top-down control at times, it does provide a useful framework for the topic. A handbook really.
- Molden, David. Managing with the Power of NLP: NLP for Competitive Advantage. Pitman Publishing, London, 1996. Paperback, 260 pages, $61.95
This is a wide-ranging introduction which takes NLP to briefly visit many management issues - like Practical NLP for Managers but not as well, I think. Its twelve chapters are in four sections headed self-awareness, leadership, communication, and innovation.
Also Useful to Managers:
- Andreas, Steve & Faulkner, Charles (eds.). NLP - The New Technology of Achievement. Quill/William Morrow, New York, 1994. Paperback, 354 pages, $26.95
An inspiring introduction and self-improvement manual, packed with 43 exercises and a 21-day "Unlimited Achievement Program". Its twelve chapters cover self-motivation, discovering your mission, goals and planning, creating rapport and strong relationships, powerful persuasion strategies, eliminating fears, building confidence and self-esteem, securing a positive mental attitude and achieving peak personal performance.
- Eicher, James. Making the Message Clear: How To Master The Business Communication Tools That Direct Productivity, Excellence And Power. Metamorphous Advanced Product Services, Oregon, 1993. Paperback, 124 pages, $26.95
This little book gives a clear and simple coverage of basic NLP interpersonal communication skills, ideal for self-teaching or as a course text. Its seven chapters cover: how communication works, empathy and rapport, ethical influence, framing and reframing, feedback and motivating, and win-win negotiation skills.
- Knight, Sue. NLP at Work: the Difference that Makes a Difference in Business. Nicholas Brealey, London, UK, 1995. Paperback, 230 pages, $39.95
A well structured and presented introduction to all the NLP basics for personal and interpersonal effectiveness, with a "toolkit" of 14 exercises for self-improvement at the end. A simpler version of Andreas & Faulkner's New Technology of Achievement.
- O'Connor, Joseph & Seymour, John. Training with NLP - Skills for Managers, Trainers and Communicators. Thorsons, London, 1994. Paperback, 290 pages, $32.95
A well designed and comprehensive overview of NLP applied to organisational training and development, towards a true learning organisation. It's four sections cover: context and training needs analysis, preparing the trainer, designing for accelerated learning, the presentation itself, transfer of learning and thorough evaluation. Another 'handbook'.
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