Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) was developed by Richard Bandler, an information scientist, and John Grinder, a linguist, at the University of Santa Cruz in the 1970's when they 'modeled' how the most successful communicators of their time achieved results.

It incorporates insights from linguistics analysis, information theory, general systems theory, behavioural and Gestalt psychology, hypnotherapy, and anthropology, among many other disciplines.

NLP has been defined formally as 'The study of subjective experience' but has also been described as:

• The art and science of excellence.
• An owners guide to the mind.
• Software for the brain.
• A new science of achievement.
• The study of human excellence.
• A manual for the structured use of creativity.
• The ability to be your best more often.

In spite of it's rather daunting name, NLP is simple conceptually and very practical and pragmatic from a training point of view. But it is not so easy to convey what it's about in a sound byte or short paragraph, and there are many different ways of explaining NLP.

For most people NLP is a technology for improving communications. It's also a way of learning how other people understand their own experiences, so we can find out how they think.

NLP is now widely recognised as the most complete and pragmatic model to date of the way humans both understand the world and operate within it.