Description

Robert Dilts (born 1955) has been a developer, author, trainer and consultant in the field of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) since its creation in 1975 by John Grinder and Richard Bandler.Dilts has made many personal contributions to the field of NLP including the authorship of the Encyclopedia of Systemic NLP. He is also known for introducing many ideas of spirituality into NLP.Sleight of Mouth is a system of language patterns for persuasion. The concept was devised by Robert Dilts who modelled the argument and persuasion skills of Richard Bandler (the co-founder of Neuro-linguistic programming). By breaking down the methods, Dilts came up with 14 (sometimes[citation needed] stated as 16 or other) patterns.[1]As with other facets of the NLP system, the intention behind formalising the study of influence allows people to understand the process, and to duplicate those skills through direct application of one or more of the Sleight Of Mouth patterns.The name “Sleight of Mouth” builds off the phrase “Sleight of Hand” which refers to a magicians’ skills in making things happen which appear impossible.Sleight of Mouth is about the magic of words and language. Language is one of the key representational systems from which we build our mental models of the world, and has a tremendous influence upon how we perceive and respond to the world around us.As Sigmund Freud pointed out, “Words and magic were in the beginning one and the same thing.” The right words at the right time can be uplifting, changing the course of someone’s life for the better; opening up new vistas and possibilities. Unfortunately, words can also confuse and limit us as easily as they can empower us. The wrong words at the wrong time can be hurtful and damaging.Sleight of Mouth patterns come from the study of how language has been, and can be, used to make an impact on people’s lives and emotions. This book represents over twenty years of study and practice with respect to the influence of language and its potential to change our lives. Author Robert Dilts (whose other works include Visionary Leadership Skills, Strategies of Genius, Dynamic Learning and Modeling With NLP) has examined the language patterns of people such as Socrates, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Adolph Hitler, Milton Erickson and Jesus of Nazareth. Sleight of Mouth patterns are made up of verbal categories and distinctions by which key beliefs can be established, shifted or transformed through language.Generally, Sleight of Mouth patterns can be characterized as “verbal reframes” which influence beliefs, and the mental maps from which beliefs have been formed. These patterns provide a powerful tool for persuasion and conversational belief change. Dilts explains and illustrates these patterns with many stimulating examples, and simple, useful exercises.We all use language every day, and have all experienced the exhilaration of saying the right thing at the right time and have felt the pain and guilt of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. What do you say to someone who is hopeless and despondent about his or her career; a student who is stuck and believes he or she will never learn; or someone who is violent, angry or obstinate? This book is about the power of words to be either helpful or harmful, the distinctions that determine the type of impact words will have, and the language patterns through which we can transform harmful statements into helpful ones. Sleight of Mouth is an important resource for counselors, salespeople, teachers, health professionals, parents, lawyers, politicians, journalists, law enforcement professionals, and anyone else who needs to use language as a key element of their work.