================================================== Mastering Language ================================================== Mastering Language is a tip sheet for managers, leaders and coaches, that enhances your communication skills and allows you to better understand, support and inspire positive change in people. Below is an example for you to read. If you would like to subscribe to this free tip sheet see instructions below or email me and I will subscribe you. It is published every second Tuesday. Knowing what to listen for and how to respond can make all the difference in your personal and professional relationships. Warm regards Kevin McMahon. ---------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS THE INTENTION. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Assisting someone to change can involve helping them to respond to a person or situation in a manner that is more resourceful than they have previously managed. As they outline the situation and the way they respond you may get a sense that they are preoccupied by what they feel they are doing wrong and don't know how to change. There is a powerful method of responding to this type of situation that will enhance your ability to facilitate change for them. Sometimes it may seem easier to simply identify the unwanted behavior and outline what it needs to be replaced by. The difficulty with this is that the individual will often have been through this in their mind many times and this knowledge has not been sufficient in itself to initiate change. The method involves using your language skills to "move" them from thinking about their unwanted behavior to focusing on the intention behind this behavior. You will find that the intention is invariably positive and once identified provides a more positive attitude and a platform for change. Once you have the intention you ask them what they can do to achieve this intention. Lets take an example of how and when you may apply this technique. Imagine you are assisting someone who has an important presentation to make and they outline that whenever they speak to groups they feel nervous. Just thinking about the impending presentation triggers this nervousness and is preventing them from preparing effectively. You ask them; "What is the intention of the part of you that feels nervous?" (Sometimes you may need to ask the question twice to uncover their intention). They respond; "To give a professional presentation". Now they have identified the intention you can say "That seems like a worthwhile intention, let's talk about what you can do to ensure you achieve this". In this process you have taken them on a journey - a journey from the problem to the intention, their intention. You will find that through this process they feel more resourceful and positive about their ability to move forward. Practice using this technique and enjoy the results you achieve. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin McMahon is a graduate of Coach University, an NLP Master Practitioner and a board member of the International Coach Federation for Australasia. More detailed information on Kevin's background, philosophies and coaching methods can be seen by visiting his website at www.mastercoach.co.nz. Kevin is available for individual and group coaching. He specialises in coaching business managers, leaders and other coaches. Kevin coaches clients to realise their personal and professional potential more quickly than they may otherwise have achieved. Call him on +64 (0)9 372 2295 or via email on kevin@mastercoach.co.nz to arrange a time for a free introductory coaching call. © Copyright 1999, McMahon Coaching International - All Rights Reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------- GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND: -------------------------------------------------------------- I hope that you enjoy Mastering Language and find it inspiring and powerful in the way it supports your personal and professional effectiveness. Please forward this tip sheet to your friends and colleagues, since your recommendation is how we grow this free publication. -------------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: -------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe email listserv@turbopress.com with SUBSCRIBE MASTERINGLANGUAGE in the body of your message. (Note no space between 'Mastering' and 'Language') To unsubscribe email listserv@turbopress.com with UNSUBSCRIBE MASTERINGLANGUAGE in the body of the message. (Note no space between 'Mastering' and 'Language') ----------------------------------------------------------------- CONTACT INFORMATION: ----------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin McMahon McMahon Coaching International Realising Potential Through Effective Support P.O. Box 209 Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand Email: kevin@mastercoach.co.nz Web-site: www.mastercoach.co.nz Tel: +64-(0)9-372-2295 Fax: +64-(0)9-372-2213 ====================================