NLP should not be seen as a panacea for all HR ills

Although an interesting and sometimes useful tool, I can’t help but question its credibility and validity in the HR function due to the lack of evidence that it actually works.

The only people who seem to rally to the banner of NLP are the actual NLP practitioners themselves. If you ever want to see an example of almost zealot-like belief, just start a debate with an NLP practitioner about the merits of the subject and the fact that nothing has actually been proven. They take it personally that you are a possible non-believer.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

Email(Required)

OptOut

From time to time, we will send you emails about selected products, events and services from Personnel Today and OHW+ - but you can choose to opt-out at any time. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please tick this box.

Email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

My slant is that it is a useful tool if you use it as part of a ‘medicine cabinet’ of methods, to improve your own skills and those of others. But what cures one does not necessarily cure all.

Peter Wright, HR practitioner