- Do you think Neuro - Linguistic Programming has any role to play in managing projects ?
- In which phase of project management does NLP help the most?
NLP is a skill which allows mastery over understanding human behaviour. It can only be learnt by application. A person who understands NLP has a higher chance of clicking with people more adeptly as compared to someone who doesn't know what NLP is all about.
NLP can be successfully applied while managing projects. Projects is all about people management. A debatable statement, isn't it? I say so because with my experience I realised that though a project is a temporary endeavour to achieve a result, product, or service, it wouldn't be possible for a project manager (PM) to achieve these results unless he clicks with people who are suppose to act or deliver.
While a project passes through Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring and Control and Closing phases, a savvy NLP project manager can use his skills dexterously in all the stages.
Fathom this !
In Initiating stage unless the PM senses through his NLP tact what the sponsor is looking for to be undertaken as a project, the project charter may go in infinite cycles of getting approved.
In Planning Stage - unless the PM senses those weird reactions coming through stakeholders in developing the Project Management Plan, the project may fail to take off ! Sad...hmmm !
In Execution Stage - the most important area of showcasing people management skills by a PM, wouldn't you agree that NLP combined with this skill can be killer combination?
" Boss, done". How much you wanna listen to these words as a PM.
In Monitoring and Control Stage - NLP would help to develop relationships with Quality Auditors. How would they ever understand and accept the technical deliverables unless you catch their nerve !
And, finally, in Closing Stage - A Big Party for all, though is a partial display of NLP, but ofcourse persuading the team to share their individual learnings while in all stages wouldn't be entirely possible for a PM. You get them to talk through your NLP skills.
Wow ! Isn't the skill amazing to have.
Try blending NLP next while managing projects and share with me the difference you experience.
A good definition of NLP could be found on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming
A great reading on NLP which prepares you in 7 days can be found on my reading list.
Cheers,
Tina Arora
