NLP Connections

Michael Christon · 08:39 pm

This thread has been started in reply to the following question asked by Paul on a training thread I started…

paulrbelcher wrote:

A genuine question from me regarding your course. As much as I would love to attend an SNLP training the license agreement I am told you have to sign would seem to officially preclude myself and other trainers.

Item 4 in the agreement, "Licensee's Covenant not to Train Others in NLP for Profit and not to Certify Others in NLP Skills". Since I already train and certify others in NLP skills and fully intend to continue then I officially can't sign this agreement which I assume means I wouldn't be able to attend this course.

Should myself and other trainers like me ignore this agreement or are we precluded from this course if we are unable to sign it. There are lots of other questions I could raise but this is the one that most interests me.

A genuine question even if I know it might be seen as slightly provocative. But then again I'm sure you would want people to be fully aware of the License agreement and implications before they attend your course.

Given the nature of the question and to do it justice I have started this thread and my answer is as follows.

I, like many, many across the world who have been certified by the Society of NLP as Licensed Trainers, use this agreement. For those interested, others who adhere to this agreement and have licensed countless others with it include Gabe Guerrero, Eric Robbie, Owen Fitzpatrick, Brian Colbert, Michael Breen, Kate Benson, Jonathan Altfeld, Ed Percival, John La Valle, Jamie Smart, Paul McKenna, Michael Neill… all are trainers of great standing
The SNLP License Agreement has been around for quite a while and has been discussed on this forum SEVERAL times
Discussions surrounding this agreement have been known to have ulterior motives, as such and when wishing to fully understand any question or answer, I suggest the reader of any discussion considers everything
The agreement is designed to protect the interests of the trainers, the Society and Richard Bandler… and of course the NLP’r (see later point)
The license agreement does make reference to training – It is simple, you cannot become a Practitioner or Master Practitioner and then train others in NLP. If you want to train others in NLP and be recognised by the Society of NLP, you need to complete the Licensed Trainer Training programmes provided by the Society. The License you will then be provided with will supersede that of the Master Practitioner License and you can then train others in NLP under the license of SNLP
Such clauses ultimately protect the unknowing NLP newbie. Can it not be said that we all wish to help any NLP’r avoid a cheap training with a lack-lustre ‘fake’ trainer who has only completed (worse case) a Practitioner programme! (And, don’t laugh! …I know of some who have decided they are NLP trainers even though they have such meagre experience! )

We now come to the motive of the original question. It has been asked as a ‘genuine’ question and hence I trust that I have replied in kind.

In addition I also feel it is worth considering some of the more general points which can come from such discussions yet detract from the genuine questions on this subject. My aim in mentioning them here is simply to discuss such things in a more appropriate manner...

We live in a world where there are numerous, dare I say, ‘factions of NLP’ which in turn can lead to some very unusual discussions. At times these discussions get heated, cross words are said, and at times, everyone loses.

Personally I do not adhere to any such arguments whereby one trainer knocks another just because of these ‘factions’, and unfortunately there have been times when some have attempted to use the SNLP license as part of such doomed arguments.

The license is neither the trainer nor the training, it is just a legal document – and it should be discussed as such.

I am in a privileged position to be working with some of the greatest NLP trainers in the world, trainers who have trained thousands and have many, MANY years of experience between them. Their standing and authority in NLP is my convincer that such license agreements are worthwhile.

In my map, and whatever the field, it makes sense to purchase high-quality training from trainers who are recognised for their skill, experience and authority in the subject.

At the end of the day, it is the NLP’rs choice. If you want to train with some of the best then you will sign the agreement and enjoy the training. Perhaps you will then choose to continue the journey and become recognised and licensed as a trainer by the Society of NLP.

Then again, perhaps you won’t.

That is your choice.

So… Paul, given your specific question, if you want to be recognised as a Trainer of NLP by the Society of NLP then you need to attend a Licensed Trainer Training from the Society.

If you do not, then that is your choice.

Personally, I suggest it is all worthwhile.

Thanks,

Michael

NLP Connections

NLP Forum

NLP Resources

NLP Connections