Learning from a Master Modeller

Nicholas Christian Hill

Likewise. In 1993, you cofounded the International NLP Trainers Association. Despite criticism from all sides, including claims that NLP is pseudoscience, Neuro-Linguistic Programming produces results when applied as a framework for cognitive, emotional, and behavioural improvement. I delivered NLP Practitioner courses between 2008 and 2012, presenting it as a philosophy grounded in scientific principles rather than as a science in itself. You and I know that NLP draws on established disciplines such as linguistics, cognitive psychology, systems theory, and behavioural learning, then packages these ideas into practical tools for understanding how people think, communicate, and change. Some poorly written NLP literature overreached and insulted intelligence, all of which invited criticism. However, many of the concepts and techniques align with researched mechanisms such as cognitive reappraisal and conditioning. When well framed, NLP is a practice-led, hypothesis-generating approach that complements coaching, leadership, and organisational development rather than competing with clinical psychology or neuroscience. Dr Woodsmall, you are not only one of the original thinkers in NLP but also regarded by many as the father of behavioural modelling. Additionally, you are a ‘master modeller’. Please explain to us in more detail what you mean by ‘master modeller’.