Understanding Metaphorical Language
Metaphorical language refers to stories, anecdotes, parables, and similes used to convey a message. This is a very powerful medium. J.K. Rowling knew how to utilize this medium and, as a result, made a mark in story writing. NLP teaches you how to use metaphorical language effectively when delivering presentations. When this technique is combined with other NLP techniques, the presenter can capture the attention of the listener, whether it be an audience in a hall or an individual before you. Hmm, sounds interesting, doesn't it?
From India, Hyderabad
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Metaphorical language refers to stories, anecdotes, parables, and similes used to convey a message. This is a very powerful medium. J.K. Rowling knew how to utilize this medium and, as a result, made a mark in story writing. NLP teaches you how to use metaphorical language effectively when delivering presentations. When this technique is combined with other NLP techniques, the presenter can capture the attention of the listener, whether it be an audience in a hall or an individual before you. Hmm, sounds interesting, doesn't it?
From India, Hyderabad
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What you have written holds water for ordinary training programs. However, my experience shows that when training senior management personnel or participants with a very high level of expertise, this may not hold true. They do not appreciate excessive explanations through stories or anecdotes.
Therefore, one must fine-tune their delivery style according to the audience, as a "one size fits all" strategy does not always work.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
Metaphorical Language in Presentations
Metaphorical language, such as stories, anecdotes, parables, and similes, is used to convey a message. This is a very powerful medium. J.K. Rowling knew how to utilize this medium and made a mark in story writing. NLP teaches you how to effectively use metaphorical language in delivering presentations. When this technique is combined with other NLP techniques, the presenter can capture the attention of the audience, whether in a hall or with individuals. It sounds interesting, doesn't it?
Kind Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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8072Therefore, one must fine-tune their delivery style according to the audience, as a "one size fits all" strategy does not always work.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
Metaphorical Language in Presentations
Metaphorical language, such as stories, anecdotes, parables, and similes, is used to convey a message. This is a very powerful medium. J.K. Rowling knew how to utilize this medium and made a mark in story writing. NLP teaches you how to effectively use metaphorical language in delivering presentations. When this technique is combined with other NLP techniques, the presenter can capture the attention of the audience, whether in a hall or with individuals. It sounds interesting, doesn't it?
Kind Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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I do agree with Reena that stories interest the audience, but as Dinesh Divekar has mentioned, we need to change our style of training according to the audience. At a senior level, we can discuss or share different real-time cases or even stories about their competitors, which will make sense to them.
From India, Salai
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From India, Salai
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It seems to be really a ice breaker. I would like to know more about it in order to make my presentations a better one.
From India, Bangalore
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From India, Bangalore
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Know your audience. And then prepare your presentation. Many a times your ppts will remain same but examples will differ.
From India, Salai
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From India, Salai
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The Power of Metaphorical Language
Metaphorical language, as we call it, has indeed been used from time immemorial. It has always been a vehicle to carry the message or communication. Think of a communication where we did not have any simile or say something like this, like that. Would it not be boring? Just the statement alone! I wonder...
The great communicators always used metaphorical language to convey their message. When you hear the successful CEOs of the world, they use real-life experiences and practical day-to-day activities as their metaphors. Metaphorical language is powerfully used in presentation skills. This captures the attention of the crowd, and understanding is better. A new concept needs to always go with already known information to be grasped better.
There are other techniques used along with this to make the presentations very effective. Dramatics can be the next on the line... the use of words, tonality, and body physiology... well, think... bye for now.
From India, Hyderabad
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Metaphorical language, as we call it, has indeed been used from time immemorial. It has always been a vehicle to carry the message or communication. Think of a communication where we did not have any simile or say something like this, like that. Would it not be boring? Just the statement alone! I wonder...
The great communicators always used metaphorical language to convey their message. When you hear the successful CEOs of the world, they use real-life experiences and practical day-to-day activities as their metaphors. Metaphorical language is powerfully used in presentation skills. This captures the attention of the crowd, and understanding is better. A new concept needs to always go with already known information to be grasped better.
There are other techniques used along with this to make the presentations very effective. Dramatics can be the next on the line... the use of words, tonality, and body physiology... well, think... bye for now.
From India, Hyderabad
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Dear Reena, you have said that "When you hear the successful CEOs of the world, they used real-life experiences and practical day-to-day activities as their metaphors." You have quoted the experience of CEOs when they talk and not when they listen.
Secondly, in your every reply, you have eulogized NLP. NLP is only a tool and not the end. Let me quote here what Abraham Maslow had said, "It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail." Is your infatuation with NLP out of temptation?
Thanks,
DVD
From India, Bangalore
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Secondly, in your every reply, you have eulogized NLP. NLP is only a tool and not the end. Let me quote here what Abraham Maslow had said, "It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail." Is your infatuation with NLP out of temptation?
Thanks,
DVD
From India, Bangalore
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It is totally my opinion that I have stated. I love this technology even though it is a part of a bigger technology which is still beyond our perception. Understand the real core of what your communication is and use it for your and others' benefit. NLP is just a word for others to relate to. For me, this was the beginning of a journey I understood and worked upon. You are right; when it is a hammer, you cannot treat everything as if it were a nail. But NLP is not a hammer—it is the way you communicate with your brain after every experience and modify your communication so that one gets the best out of it. Well, it is for you to think. It is always exciting to go beyond words, as words have their own limitations. Go beyond and expand your thoughts to bring in awareness of your own being because this is an experience.
From India, Hyderabad
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From India, Hyderabad
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I beg to differ from what you say. At the same time, I am surprised by your statement that transformational vocabulary will have no impact on senior executives. In my own experience, I have found that they can also be influenced, provided that the timing of the use of this vocabulary and its correlation to the appropriate situation create a significant impact on high-class audiences as well.
I am surprised that a man of your experience and knowledge (I see you aggressively market yourself in these columns, and your claims are very high—you often say that even one man like you can make a horse drink water!) holds a different view on the use of metaphoric vocabulary. I remember Dr. C.N. Rao, a renowned scientist, once saying that trainers/teachers should use Ramayana and Mahabharata to create a special effect on the minds of the audience and reach them better through these means. Perhaps you should analyze past experiences, identify where you may have erred, and rectify it to reap the rich benefits of using such vocabulary. Anthony Robbins' example serves as a case in point. Investigate where the mistake lies and find the answer for yourself.
For example, consider the case of Ramdev Baba. While yoga was a familiar subject to many Indians, he managed to make it work for himself and highlighted its neglect. By revitalizing it, he instilled confidence in many people. Even today, in North India, people switch on the TV at 5 A.M. to practice the asanas in front of the TV. Ramdev Baba has now become a household name in North India. Learn a lesson from Ramdev Baba and reposition yourself.
Regards,
M.J. Subramanyam, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
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I am surprised that a man of your experience and knowledge (I see you aggressively market yourself in these columns, and your claims are very high—you often say that even one man like you can make a horse drink water!) holds a different view on the use of metaphoric vocabulary. I remember Dr. C.N. Rao, a renowned scientist, once saying that trainers/teachers should use Ramayana and Mahabharata to create a special effect on the minds of the audience and reach them better through these means. Perhaps you should analyze past experiences, identify where you may have erred, and rectify it to reap the rich benefits of using such vocabulary. Anthony Robbins' example serves as a case in point. Investigate where the mistake lies and find the answer for yourself.
For example, consider the case of Ramdev Baba. While yoga was a familiar subject to many Indians, he managed to make it work for himself and highlighted its neglect. By revitalizing it, he instilled confidence in many people. Even today, in North India, people switch on the TV at 5 A.M. to practice the asanas in front of the TV. Ramdev Baba has now become a household name in North India. Learn a lesson from Ramdev Baba and reposition yourself.
Regards,
M.J. Subramanyam, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Mr. M.J. SUBRAMANYAM, my paragraph-wise replies are as below:
I beg to differ from what you say. At the same time, I am surprised by your statement that transformational vocabulary will have no impact on senior executives.
I never said that it will not have any impact. Please read my first post of this correctly. I have said that for senior managers, it may not work. They do not like detailed explanations.
My own experience is that they can also be moved provided the timing of the use of this vocabulary and the correlation of these words to the appropriate situation create a great impact on the high-class audience as well.
Everyone is a prisoner of one's experience. You are you, and so am I.
I am surprised that a man of your experience and knowledge (I see you aggressively market yourself in these columns, and your claims are very high – you often say even one man like you can make a horse drink water!) holds a different view on the use of metaphoric vocabulary.
Out of my 2,310 posts, I never said at any time that I can make a horse drink water. You could have given evidence before raising this allegation against me. Secondly, not all my posts are for marketing. A large number of them are for helping junior and young HR/Training professionals. It appears that these have escaped your attention.
I remember Dr. C.N.Rao, a renowned scientist, once saying that trainers/teachers should use the Ramayana and Mahabharata to create a special effect on the minds of the audience and reach them better through these means. Perhaps you could analyze past experiences and see where you may have gone wrong to rectify it and reap the rich benefits of using such vocabulary. Anthony Robbins' example is a case in point. Search for where the mistake lies and find the answer for yourself.
Yes, I do give references to Hindu mythology occasionally, but the choice of examples to use is purely an individual's decision.
For example, consider the case of Ramdev Baba. Yoga was known to many Indians; it was a familiar subject. However, he made it work for himself again and showed that it had become a neglected practice. By rejuvenating it, he infused confidence in many people. In North India, even today, people switch on the TV at 5 P.M. and practice the asanas in front of the TV. He has now become a household name in North India. Take a lesson from Ramdev Baba and reposition yourself.
Thanks for the suggestion, but the example of Ramdev Baba is out of place for the corporate crowd. Ramdev Baba deals with the common people. For dealing with them, anecdotes and stories work. In corporate training, people are hard-pressed for time, and we need to use their time judiciously. We, as trainers, are responsible for building competency in the participants. Secondly, Ramdev Baba is a good marketer. He could understand the pulse of the people and has marketed himself very well.
Final Comments:
I did not understand the cause of your frustration. If you read my second post in this thread, I have written that one should concentrate on the ends and not on the means! NLP is only a means and not an end. As far as my views about senior management are concerned, let me tell you that in the last four years, I must have sat across 100+ Managing Directors from different industries. Spending time with them for a meeting itself is difficult. If I were to tell stories to explain my viewpoint, I would probably have lost their interest long ago.
Let me quote my toughest example of an expat (British) COO of an Indian MNC operating in five countries. My first appointment was for 28 minutes, and he had allotted 43 minutes for our second meeting. When dealing with individuals who work on a point-to-point basis, one's choice of words should be judicious. I had similar experiences while training other Managing Directors as well.
In none of my posts was I arrogant at any time. Yet, why my posts should rub you the wrong way is a matter of surmise!
Dinesh V. Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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I beg to differ from what you say. At the same time, I am surprised by your statement that transformational vocabulary will have no impact on senior executives.
I never said that it will not have any impact. Please read my first post of this correctly. I have said that for senior managers, it may not work. They do not like detailed explanations.
My own experience is that they can also be moved provided the timing of the use of this vocabulary and the correlation of these words to the appropriate situation create a great impact on the high-class audience as well.
Everyone is a prisoner of one's experience. You are you, and so am I.
I am surprised that a man of your experience and knowledge (I see you aggressively market yourself in these columns, and your claims are very high – you often say even one man like you can make a horse drink water!) holds a different view on the use of metaphoric vocabulary.
Out of my 2,310 posts, I never said at any time that I can make a horse drink water. You could have given evidence before raising this allegation against me. Secondly, not all my posts are for marketing. A large number of them are for helping junior and young HR/Training professionals. It appears that these have escaped your attention.
I remember Dr. C.N.Rao, a renowned scientist, once saying that trainers/teachers should use the Ramayana and Mahabharata to create a special effect on the minds of the audience and reach them better through these means. Perhaps you could analyze past experiences and see where you may have gone wrong to rectify it and reap the rich benefits of using such vocabulary. Anthony Robbins' example is a case in point. Search for where the mistake lies and find the answer for yourself.
Yes, I do give references to Hindu mythology occasionally, but the choice of examples to use is purely an individual's decision.
For example, consider the case of Ramdev Baba. Yoga was known to many Indians; it was a familiar subject. However, he made it work for himself again and showed that it had become a neglected practice. By rejuvenating it, he infused confidence in many people. In North India, even today, people switch on the TV at 5 P.M. and practice the asanas in front of the TV. He has now become a household name in North India. Take a lesson from Ramdev Baba and reposition yourself.
Thanks for the suggestion, but the example of Ramdev Baba is out of place for the corporate crowd. Ramdev Baba deals with the common people. For dealing with them, anecdotes and stories work. In corporate training, people are hard-pressed for time, and we need to use their time judiciously. We, as trainers, are responsible for building competency in the participants. Secondly, Ramdev Baba is a good marketer. He could understand the pulse of the people and has marketed himself very well.
Final Comments:
I did not understand the cause of your frustration. If you read my second post in this thread, I have written that one should concentrate on the ends and not on the means! NLP is only a means and not an end. As far as my views about senior management are concerned, let me tell you that in the last four years, I must have sat across 100+ Managing Directors from different industries. Spending time with them for a meeting itself is difficult. If I were to tell stories to explain my viewpoint, I would probably have lost their interest long ago.
Let me quote my toughest example of an expat (British) COO of an Indian MNC operating in five countries. My first appointment was for 28 minutes, and he had allotted 43 minutes for our second meeting. When dealing with individuals who work on a point-to-point basis, one's choice of words should be judicious. I had similar experiences while training other Managing Directors as well.
In none of my posts was I arrogant at any time. Yet, why my posts should rub you the wrong way is a matter of surmise!
Dinesh V. Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Dinesh's comment about CEOs not having the time reminds me of a video clip in which a young scriptwriter (SW) goes to a producer with his offer for a new movie. The producer says that he has no time and can spare only 90 seconds to convince him. The SW starts telling him the story, and it's long-winded. The producer says cut after a minute and says, "Sorry, not interested." Then the agent takes over and says, "Please listen," and continues, "Boy meets girl, they fall in love; they are from different religions; something like Romeo and Juliet of Shakespeare's play..." The producer says, "Ok, bring the script; let me read it."
I leave the rest for the participants to conclude.
Have a nice day.
Regards,
Simhan
From United Kingdom
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I leave the rest for the participants to conclude.
Have a nice day.
Regards,
Simhan
From United Kingdom
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