Keri Barsby Secretary & Alternate Council Member; East Midlands Network Deputy Head of Therapy Services Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Keri.barsby@nuh.nhs.uk

1. “Leadership & Neuro Linguistic
Programming” for Physiotherapists;
an Introduction
Keri Barsby
Secretary & Alternate Council Member; East Midlands
Network
Deputy Head of Therapy Services
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Keri.barsby@nuh.nhs.uk

2. Aims & Objectives:
1. To have an overview of what NLP is
2. To have acquired some NLP
skills/knowledge that will enhance your
performance as a leader back in your
work place

3. The science bit.....
NLP = NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
NEURO: the study of the mind & brain – in
particular how we think about things & how we
process information

4. NLP = Neuro Linguistic Programming
LINGUISTIC: language skills – how we use
language to communicate & how other
people’s use of language affects us

5. NLP = Neuro Linguistic Programming
PROGRAMMING: how we plan to react (not
always consciously) – how we organise and
store our ideas and actions

6. What is Leadership?

7. The LQF Model:

8. So, if I we say that:
NLP
 Is at the heart of leadership excellence
 It is a method of personal development - a tool for
improving your own and others' performance
 Is very relevant in the current NHS environment of fast
moving changes; increasing complexity and ongoing
uncertainties

9. Then consider these 2 scenarios:
Scenario 1
P1: “So, as I said, I’m thinking of moving to the hospital in
the neighbouring Trust up the road. Do you know it?
P2: “I do”
P1: “Can you tell me what it’s like?”
P2: “Well, I can, but first tell me, what’s the hospital
that you’re thinking of leaving like?”

10. Scenario 1 cont....
P1: “Not very nice; the staff aren’t friendly; I’m not at
all supported and I don’t seem to fit in”
P2: “You’ll find the hospital in the neighbouring
Trust very similar”

11. The fun bit – part 2....
Scenario 2
P3: “So, as I said, I’m thinking of moving to the hospital in
the neighbouring Trust up the road. Do you know it?
P2: “I do”
P3: “Can you tell me what it’s like?”
P2: “Well, I can, but first tell me, what’s the hospital
that you’re thinking of leaving like?”

12. Scenario 2 cont...
P3: “Oh, it’s great! I get on really well with the staff;
I’m challenged & have learnt a great deal”
P2: “You’ll find the hospital in the neighbouring
Trust very similar”

13. So, what just happened here?

14. What does this mean?
It means that NLP is focussed on “SELF”
It means that every journey starts with “YOU”
Through “INTERNAL” changes we see
“EXTERNAL” changes in behaviour and our
impact on others

15. Why?
 To be able to respond to
change, yet have the
expertise to retain what works
well
 Because you need advanced
communication skills:
o To ensure patients are
comfortable, informed &
that they are active care
partners not passive
recipients of care
o To liaise with other HCP’s
who may be facing the
same or different changes
o To be able make sense of
your own values, beliefs,
feelings & reactions – to
truly reflect on your
practice

16. How?
NLP has many tools that can be utilised
 by yourself for yourself
by you with others such as when assessing
patients or when leading a supervision
session.

17. One such tool is the “Wheel of Life”

18. Finding Balance:
Would your wheel turn smoothly?
Why not?
6 step change process:
 Information gathering
 Select area(s) for change
 Decide on the possibilities i.e. what will be best use
of my skills/experience? What can I delegate?
 Develop your plan/establish goals
 Action your plan
 Monitor your progress

19. Finally, remember...
Taking the first step is what’s really important.
By taking the first step you realise the variety of
paths ahead from which you could choose.

20. Bibliography/recommended reading:
www.nlp-now.co.uk
www.mindtools.com
www.purenlp.com
NLP & Coaching for Healthcare Professionals
– Developing Expert Practice, Suzanne
Henwood & Jim Lister
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,
Steven Covey
Principle Centred Leadership, Steven Covey