NLP: The Essential Handbook for Business

7The Power of Language

Advanced speaking and listening skills at work

Change your language and you change your thoughts.

—Karl Albrecht, billionaire co-founder of the Aldi supermarket chain

In the previous chapter, we discussed some aspects of language and how to use these at work. In this chapter, we will cover how to use other aspects of language to enhance your ability to communicate to colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders. In particular, we will look at how to:

• Think in terms of the big picture or detail as appropriate, and to change the “level” of the communication.

• Use language to encourage lateral thinking and brainstorming.

• Understand the power of some everyday words.

• Use language that is deliberately vague to influence ...