Which do you think is most useful to use when making suggestions to the people you wish to influence?

 3.       Practice saying a sentence (Eg. “Have you got any questions?”) with a rising pitch, then a level pitch, then a descending pitch.

 The descending pitch opens up the ‘command module’ in someone’s brain.  People are more likely to do what you want them to do if the request is made with a descending pitch, because their brain will process it as a command.

 4.       Identify the things that you want others to do in persuasion situations, then check what pitch you’re using.  Practice making those requests using ‘command tone’ then notice what a difference it makes.

 I was running a one-day session on NLP for a branding agency last year, and I told them about command tone.  One of the participants was from Australia, and asked what effect the characteristic antipodean ‘question tone’ would have.  I replied “It won’t have any effect at all?” with a rising voice tone, and she got the point.  If you want people to follow your instructions, command tone down will make it more likely to happen.

More advanced

Practice using ‘command tone’ on every word within a sentence, so the overall effect is like a series of waterfalls.  The impact on the listener is significant.

Summary

Your voice is one of your most powerful influence tools…

1.       Choose a vocal quality (eg. rate of speech) and vary it.  Go to the extremes (eg. see how fast you can talk, how slow you can talk etc.)  Do this for each of the vocal qualities in the list above (see main text when you’ve got a moment J)

2.       Once you have established that you can vary a particular vocal characteristic, practice using it the next time you are on the phone with someone to get rapport.

3.       Practice saying a sentence (Eg. “Have you got any questions?”) with a rising pitch, then a level pitch, then a descending pitch.  Descending pitch activates the ‘command module’ in the brain.

4.       Identify the things that you want others to do in persuasion situations, then check what pitch you’re using.  Practice making those requests using ‘command tone’ then notice what a difference it makes.

Until next time

Until next time, start having fun expanding your repertoire of voice tones, pitches, rates (mimicking cartoon character voices is a great source of inspiration.)  And remember… practice, practice, practice… (repeat with descending voice tone.) J

best wishes,

jamie

PS. Are you already an NLP Practitioner or Master Practitioner who would like to get another perspective on NLP?  We offer a 1/3 discount on prac & master prac training if you already hold that certificate.  Our workshops are small group sessions over 20 days so you really get the opportunity to build your skills.  With us, you & your results count.

Just drop me a line at info@saladltd.co.uk if you would like further information, or have a question

jamie smart

director

info@saladltd.co.uk