We process information from the world around us through our senses:
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Back to the questions |
- Visual
- Auditory - hearing
- Kinaesthetic – touch, physical sensation and feeling
- Olfactory (smell)
- Gustatory (taste)
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| How we receive and process this information affects the way we communicate with people. Your responses to this exercise give an indication of which sense(s) you prefer to use, to process information. |
From the previous questions, your responses indicate the type of language you prefer to use:
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Mostly 'A's = Auditory
Mostly 'B's = Visual
Mostly 'C's = Kinaesthetic
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Why is this important? |
The way we prefer to receive and process information is also the way we prefer to communicate. For example, if we are using a primarily visual system for interacting with the world, we probably think mainly in pictures and colours and would use visual-based language. If we have a primarily auditory system, we probably think in words and use language that is based on sounds. If we have a primarily kinaesthetic system, we probably think about “gut feelings” and use language based on physical sensations.
This can mean that two people can be having a conversation with each other and effectively need a translator, in order to understand the other’s meaning.
Imagine the following conversation:
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| John: I’m still in the dark. I really can’t see what you mean. |
Fred: It’s perfectly straightforward. I told you word for word what they had said. But something tells me you’re just not listening.
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| John: I can see there’s a problem and we need to do something about it. But I just can’t get a clear picture of what the issue actually is. |
| Fred: I hear what you’re saying. But just listen up a minute. |
| John: I am listening, but you’re not making sense. Can’t you just show me a report, before we make the decision? |
| Fred: I’ve already told you the key points, clear as a bell, so what’s the point in that? |
| John: I’d just like to focus on the facts and pinpoint the problem. |
| Fred: But I’ve explained the problem. |
John: And I still can’t see what’s going on.
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They are both agreeing there’s a problem, but the words they are using are getting in the way of their communication. The sensory specific language is highlighted. One person is using primarily visual words, while the other is using auditory. Note that they can be using a mixture: we are just looking for preferences here.
When reading an article or book, the same applies. You will find it easier to quickly understand text that is written using the type of sensory words that you, personally, prefer to use.
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What is the relevance of this to my work? |
You won't always know which language preferences your communication partner has. So you need to make sure you are including a balance of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic language in your answers, to make it easy for them to quickly understand you.
One thing you can do to increase your flexibility at this is to make a list of phrases you use regularly and analyse which of the three preferences they fit into.
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| Visual |
Auditory |
Kinaesthetic |
e.g. “it’s clear to me that…”
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e.g. “sounds good to me.” |
e.g. “my gut feeling is…” |
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If you find you have many more words in one system than the others, can you translate some? Which words would you change? How would that impact how you communicate?
Which phrases do you notice other people using regularly?
The aim of this section is to raise your awareness of the type of language you are using and the fact that different people have different preferences. The exercises help you start to develop more flexibility in your use of language, which will ultimately improve your communication skills.
If you’re interested in taking this further, sign up for our NLP Foundation course or a 1:1 coaching session
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