Supercharging Influence Through Sensory Acuity
Author
Damon Cart
Date
May 03, 2015
Tags
General tips
Content
Author
When a NLP trainer stands before a classroom full of students with a demo subject by their side and does a process that seems to work magic; creating a sudden and obvious transformation in the subject, we marvel over the speed and simplicity of it. Unfortunately many of us focus on the process or technique used as if it is the source of the magic. What is often overlooked are the skills the trainer is demonstrating. One of those skills is creating rapport. However, the more I delve into NLP and practice it with myself and others the more my thinking has changed about rapport; primarily the idea that we create rapport. I don’t think rapport is created. Rapport is there already, at least on an unconscious level when you’re interacting with others. Recognizing rapport or becoming conscious of rapport gives the appearance of creating it. Becoming conscious of rapport is becoming aware of and interested in the other person’s world to the point of being somewhat familiar with how he or she experiences reality. When it’s done well people will sense a connection with someone who is focusing attention and awareness on understanding them deeply. The person feels at ease and better understood and when a person feels at ease with you and feels that you really understand them, processes and techniques will work almost every time because they’re willing to follow your lead. In order to recognize rapport we must develop another very important skill, sensory acuity. The Encyclopedia of Systemic NLP by Robert Dilts and Judith DeLozier defines sensory acuity as “involving the ability to make refined sensory observations.” It goes on to say that “A certain threshold of sensory acuity is necessary for both effective information gathering and modeling in NLP.” Without a certain level or “threshold” of sensory acuity, rapport will not be recognized to the extent needed to achieve the desired outcome with the person you’re wanting to influence. Sensory acuity occurs in all five senses. It is the degree to which we’re conscious of what information is coming in through our senses. The most commonly used is the visual sense. We observe peoples’ responses, physiology, etc. and we draw conclusions about what we see. We can also recognize shifts in vocal tonality through the auditory sense and if it’s appropriate there’s much information that can be gained by touch; feeling the temperature of someone’s skin or the tension in his or her hand when you shake it. Sensory acuity is what makes processes and techniques work. Without a well developed sensitivity to the nonverbal information your client (or whomever you’re wanting to influence) is giving you, processes and techniques will only work on occasion. When people don’t develop the proper skills, they unfortunately often abandon the processes taught in NLP trainings and might think that NLP doesn’t work. I struggled with this myself for a while until I realized that the summation of all NLP techniques is not really what NLP is. NLP is more skill and attitude and the result of cultivating these skills and an attitude of exploration and curiosity is the creation of processes and techniques. The outline of this very article you’re reading is not the article. It’s a way to structure the article just like processes and techniques in NLP are ways of structuring how you use your skills. The great part about this is that when someone uses heightened sensory acuity it will supercharge rapport. When you’re in the presence of someone who is putting their undivided attention on you and they’re open to more than just the verbal communication you’re presenting it can make you feel seen in a way you don’t normally feel seen. Many people carry on conversations while thinking about all the things they have to do that day or they’re thinking about what they want to tell you rather than listening to what you’re saying. Sensory acuity is like listening with your eyes and with your ears; not only listening to the content of the words, but listening to the type of language the person is using and the tonality, especially changes in tonality. Listening with your eyes is noticing physiological responses like breathing, skin tone shifts, and tightening and loosening of the muscles in the face to name just a few. The result of listening so intently and paying attention to physiological responses most people miss is experiencing rapport on a deep level. Another way to explain sensory acuity is it’s an undivided focus of attention on another person or persons for the purposes of gathering information. The bonus is that it’s also how rapport is created..
Damon Cart
Author
Damon Cart is considered to be a natural talent by some of the best NLP trainers in the world. His approach to guiding and teaching students brings to their awareness that they've been doing NLP all of their lives without realizing it and he empowers them with skills and resources to thrive and reach their full potential. With the understanding of how Neuro Linguistic Programs create oneβs experience a person can then take charge of those programs and create the experience and the life they want. By taking this approach into his own rigorous, daily NLP practice Damon has been able to rapidly accelerate his progress in learning, coaching clients and teaching workshops.
