Analysis of the brain’s activity, flow of neuronsmitters, hormones etc has shown that people tend to be most motivated and most successful if they are engaged in their default preferred behaviours (default preferred behaviours are those which people enjoy, like doing and do best.)
If a person has a preferred map of behaviours, which results in increased motivation and satisfaction then there is a clear win-win outcome if a person can be matched to a suitable job role. Understanding the behaviours and skills needed for a job and profiling candidates can result in a significant degree of match and therefore a much improved efficacy in a recruitment strategy.
Similarly, if a team of employees are profiled then individual differences in preferred ways of working, interacting and communicating can be highlighted; simply being aware of these differences can lead to improved team dynamics. Coaching the team members and working with the team leaders, can greatly result in improved performance.
Neuroscience is the state of the art analysis of the structure of the brain and the associated neuro chemicals. MRI imaging has been able to examine the functional architecture of the brain and studies have detailed the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones in different areas of the brain.
Behaviour is composed of two basic components: behaviours that an individual acquires (nurture); and behaviours with biological underpinnings (nature) (Cloninger 1987).
Neurotransmitters and hormones are almost solely responsible for how we think, what we think, how we feel, what we feel, and what we do. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that essentially promote and allow the electrical impulses in our brains to travel.
All of our neurological responses can be broken down to being simply electrical impulses. PRISM focuses on those characteristics that a range of academic studies and current literature associate with the four main behavioural groupings (referred to for reasons of simplicity as Red, Green, Gold and Blue) that are linked to specific gene pathways and/or hormone or neurotransmitter systems.
The PRISM model is based on the following four principles:
One: The brain is a dynamic, electro-chemical system – perhaps the most complex in the known Universe. No one part of the brain does solely one thing and no one part of the brain acts alone. All our thoughts, emotions and actions are the results of many parts of the brain acting together to create patterns of activity. This means that PRISM does not accept the popular claim that people are either left-brained or right-brained, nor does it accept that behaviours exist on dichotomous basis.
Two: In spite of the tremendous similarity of our brains, we all act differently, have unique abilities, and have distinct preferences, desires, dreams, hopes and fears.
Three: One pivotal concept underlies our understanding of the human brain and behaviour: plasticity. Basically, plasticity refers to the brain’s capacity for change. Neuroplasticity is involved when we are engaged in new experiences and learning. As a result, the brain establishes a series of neural pathways. Neuroplasticity is, therefore. a property of the brain which allows it to alter its biological, chemical and physical properties. However, as the brain changes, function and behaviour are also modified in a parallel course.
Four: People function best and reach their potential when they are able to make the most of their natural preferences and abilities.
PRISM measures a person’s expressed and observed behavioural preferences. It enables individuals to compile an inventory of their behavioural preferences, work aptitudes and preferred environments
At the root of the PRISM Model is the basic fact that all behaviour is brain-driven. Each person has his or her own way of looking at the world (perception) and responding it. Those recurring responses – part inherited and part learned – fall into patterns, referred to as behaviour preferences.
No, understanding behaviour preferences in individuals and teams at work means that we can use the data to review any or all of the following:
- Team dynamics and performance
- Leadership styles and impact
- Improved communication
- Competency frameworks
- Cultural integration
- Sales skills and improved sales performance
- Effective change management
- Performance appraisal
- 360° feedback
- Reduced stress and conflict
- Personal insight into potential, strengths, stressors etc
Inevitably, psychometric tests and PRISM are often seen to compete in the marketplace among people interested in learning more about themselves and others. However, theyactually stem from very different theoretical origins and take different approaches to representing behaviour patterns. Therefore, it is inappropriate to make direct comparisons between the two approaches. PRISM is not presented as an alternative to traditional psychometric tests, rather as a means to enhance understanding of how behaviour is created.
Personality is about “who you are”; behaviour is about “what you do” and personality is only one of many factors which can impact on behaviour; research has proven that personality has less than 10% variance on behaviour*
Personality profiling suggests that a person has one dominant personality type and this is fixed throughout their life; PRISM identifies that the brain, whilst having a preferred map of behaviours, does in fact flex and adapt to situations and will operate an ‘adaptive map’ as required. These situational changes are the critical factors influencing behaviour.
* Stanford University, Professor Walter Mischel
The measurement sub-scales used in the PRISM questionnaire were validated by Dr. G. T.
Viki, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and a former Research Fellow at Stanford University. Dr
Viki is also a UK Chartered Psychologist who has worked at a wide range of universities
throughout the world including Harvard Medical School, University of Queensland
(Australia), University of Cape Town (South Africa), Kent University (England) and the
University of Granada (Spain)
In his latest validation study of PRISM in 2014, Dr. Viki concluded:
“…for the four main subscales the reliability scores were
above .94. This is a very high level of internal consistency. We also analysed the data
for the eight subscales, and these were also highly reliable with internal consistency
scores above .92. Overall, these findings give us confidence about the internal
consistency of the PRISM subscales and indicate that PRISM is a highly reliable
measurement instrument.”
- A ‘map’ of preferred behaviours
- A ‘map’ of adaptive behaviours
- Work preferences profile
- Work aptitudes and work performance predictions
- Career development analysis
- Emotional intelligence report
- The Big Five personality report
- Mental toughness report
- An appreciation of your role and that of your coach
- A clear understanding of your goals
- A well-defined action plan
- Documented action items which are priortised
- A timeframe within which to achieve the actions
- An understanding of what resources you will need to accomplish your goals
- An agreement to work with enthusiasm and tenacity to pursue your chosen goals
- An awareness of how you and your life will be different by accomplishing your goals
- Changing your life by achieving your goals
- Realising you can achieve far more than you ever imagined
- We work in a respectful, ethical and confidential manner at all times
- We will agree the coaching contract
- We will work to help you uncover your goals
- As there may be more than one goal we will identify your priorities
- With a key goal in mind we will look at how you can structure the steps to get there
- We will support you in pin-pointing the actions you need to take
- Together we will capture the action plan
- The action plan will have deadlines and timeframes associated with each action
- We will identify the required resources and any possible hurdles to achieving the action
- We will explore the options open to you using different techniques
- We will arrange the next date to meet
- Performance Coaching is a process of facilitation
- The Coach does not give advice or direction
- The Coach helps the client identify what’s important
- The Coach helps the client identify how to achieve their goals
- Coaching operates in a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere
- Coaching looks to the future and creating a plan
- Coaching prioritises the action items within a desired timeframe
- The coach and the client work in a collaborative style
- Coaching adopts a proven systematic approach
- Coaching adopts a results focused approach with a positive outlook
- Coaching facilitates the desired change
A good question! Think of it as reprogramming your brain.
We know that poor software in a computer will lead to limited performance and output…the brain is the same! As a normal person we all learn ‘life’s lessons’ and learn to react to situations in particular ways. We learn from parents, friends, experiences, we have memories of events and the feelings associated with these… and all of these learnings program our reactions and responses.
Imagine if we could unlearn certain behaviours or reactions…those that have no positive gain would be the best ones to un-learn.
When we’re born we have two innate fears…the fear of falling down and the fear of loud noises…everything else, every other emotional response, reaction, behaviour is learned. And if you can learn to respond in a certain way…you can unlearn it.
Un-learning alone it isn’t enough at NineDots, we want to replace that negative learned response with something far better, more congruent with the new you, enriching your life for the better!
Absolutely! NLP is ultimately concerned with modelling and replicating human excellence and business excellence, like all aspects of life, is founded on a pattern of behaviours and strategies that can modelled and replicated.
The skills you wish to infuse into your business will have their foundation in elegant communication, heightened perception, fluency in negotiation….imagine this excellence in relation client interface, customer service, sales, employee engagement…the results will simply speak for themselves.
NLP is not counselling or therapy per se and I don’t need the minutia of details. NLP is more about the process and is pretty much content-free; I will ask you some questions to obtain basic and relevant information to help with the change…but that’s all. I really don’t need to know the details but whatever you share, whatever we discuss will always be treated with complete confidentiality.
Remember NLP is not counselling which might take weeks, months or years! NLP is quick. Permanent and generative changes are achieved in a short space of time, from minutes to perhaps a few hours but a normal session will last an hour and for most clients three sessions will result in startling and dramatic results.
I know, it does seem simple and honestly, it is! I was probably the biggest cynic when I joined my first NLP workshop, now I use the practices every day, in everything I do…And it works.
Have you tried other methods or types of ‘therapy’ and the results don’t last? Or have you just been disappointed generally that no one seems to fix things? I know! NLP is quick and effective and the changes are long-lasting.
I’m sure you’re thinking that it sounds too good to be true and I can’t blame you…but let’s change all of that!
Perhaps you can…do you have the technical skills, the level of fitness, the time, the mental strength to refocus your efforts?
NLP is about modelling excellence. NLP looks at both the conscious and unconscious strategies adopted by athletes which allows them to get into the much talked about “Zone”. Mentally rehearsing moves, seeing the win, feeling the euphoria, hearing the crowds…..its this heightened mental preparation and pin-point focus that complements the physical skill and the fitness level and allows sporting stars to achieve excellence and excel in their field.
By defining the strategies and by being in The Zone, athletes may slow down time so that they can execute intricate moves, achieve bursts of speed, or heightened reactions and responses. In learning and modelling these strategies and patterns of behaviour, aspiring athletes can take their sporting skills to a next level and exceed their expectations.
Basically…everything! NLP is about modelling excellence and replicating the strategies that work. If you want to change and enrich your life…NLP can get the results you want.
Just for example:
- Smoking Cessation
- Losing Weight
- Fears & Phobias
- Anxiety & Depression
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills
- Motivation & Decision Making
- Career Development & Goal Achievement
Let me ask you a question…why wouldn’t it work for you? What makes you so different?
I imagine that you’ve tried other ‘therapies’ before considering NLP and perhaps you have been disappointed with the results…let me reassure you, disappointment is not in the NineDot dictionary!