Sunday, November 04, 2007

Concepts 101 Part 10: Concept, Principle & Skill

Hi,

Behind every great skill, there is a Concept so that the skill can be adapted and adjusted according to the situation. Even fools can understand that there is an underlying concept, but not everyone can comprehend the concept behind even he/she knows about the skill.

Then he/she can only use the skill at its surface level and can never be a master of it! (That's why I always do a long introduction at any of my programs so that everyone understand the concept before they learn something)

Concepts
are difficult to be comprehended because they are abstract. To make the skill useful, smart originators of any skill will formulate Principles to guide the Skill users in applying. When you learn a skill, at least clarify its Principles or you have not really learned the skill.

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Systemic Typology: Concepts Behind Fate Reengineering Workshop 命運重整工程

Hi,

( 新增中文翻譯於本文下半段 )

I don't like to transfer j
ust skills and techniques in my programs. There are always underlying concepts behind all of my seminars and workshops.

I am going to present the concepts behind all my programs. Starting with the one I did recently...

Fate Reengineering Workshop is the Level 1 of my Systemic Personality Typology Series. This is a systemic approach of changing our own fate by means of being aware of our personality:

1. Personality is the collection of many faces of our ego. They are interactive. We seldom can see most of these faces. We need tools.

2. Personality Typologies are the tools. Each guides us to see our personality from a different perspective.

3.  There is no good or bad personality.Your quality of life depends on how you cope with your super-systems, like your environment, your family, your social groups, etc.

4. Being aware of our personality and then adjusting and adapting with the bigger super-systems around us is an Intentional Process. We need to make a conscious decision to do so.

5. Awareness, Reality Check and Acceptance are the basis of effective adjustment and adaptation.

6. Adjustment and adaptation starts with stop manipulating others and ourselves.

7. People with Effective Personality (remember: no good or bad personality!) can grasp the Rising Opportunities and avoid the Falling Traps. Thus we can go up in our Fate Cycles.

8. People with Ineffective Personality can easily be affected by the Falling Traps to go down their Fate Cycles.

9. Effectiveness is about adaptability. Is your personality producing behaviours that create desirable results in your environment?
 
10. It is all about development. You are still you, but you can be bigger and better.

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Updated: Feb 14 2014
 
 
中譯 (加擴充): ( Sep 2 2026 )

小弟不喜歡在課程裡,只是傳授技巧與方法。
因為在我所有的課程、講座與工作坊背後,都一直有一些更根本的理念

所以,我想逐一說明這些課程背後的思想。

就從最近完成的這一個開始。

命運重整工程,是我的 Systemic Personality Typology Series 系統式人格類型系列 的 Level 1。

它是一種從系統角度出發的方法: 我們透過對自己人格的覺察,重新理解自己,也因此開始改變自己的命運。

背後的基本理念,可以整理成十點:

1. 性格,是我們眾多「自我面貌」的集合。


我們並不是只有一個固定的「我」,性格其實由許多不同的自我面向組成,而這些面向彼此互動;問題是,我們很少能夠看見其中大部分,所以,我們需要工具

2. 性格類型,就是幫助我們看見自己的工具。

每一種性格型態學,都提供一個不同的觀看角度。它們並非要替我們貼上一個標籤,而是讓我們從不同方向,看見原本看不見的自己。

3. 沒有「好」或「壞」的性格。

性格本身沒有好壞之分,真正影響生活質素的,是我們如何面對那些比自己更大的「超系統」,例如環境、家庭、社交群體,以及我們身處的整個社會。

4. 覺察自己的性格,然後調整自己、適應周圍更大的系統,是一個有意識的過程。

不是自動發生的,我們必須先看見自己,然後有意識地作出選擇,換句話說,這是一個
Intentional Process 意向性的過程

5. 覺察、現實檢驗與接納,是有效調整與適應的基礎。

先看見自己,再看看現實究竟是甚麼,最後,接受眼前的現實。只有這樣,調整與適應才有可能真正發生。

6. 調整與適應,要從停止操控開始。

停止操控別人,也停止操控自己。很多時候,我們以為自己正在改變環境,其實只是在操控環境;以為自己正在改變自己,其實只是在強迫自己成為另一個樣子。真正的調整,首先是停止這種操控。

7. 擁有有效性格的人,能夠看見「上升的機會」,並避開「下墜的陷阱」。

記住,這並不是說人需要擁有一個「好的性格」,要的是一個
更有效適應方式。因此,他便能夠把握 Rising Opportunities 上升的機會,避開 Falling Traps 下墜的陷阱。於是,我們便有可能在自己的 Fate Cycles 命運循環向上提昇

8. 擁有無效人格的人,則比較容易受到「下墜的陷阱」影響。

當我們無法有效地回應環境,便很容易被某些反覆出現的模式牽引,逐步向自己的命運循環下方走去,這就是小弟常就的「向下沉淪」了。

9. 所謂「有效」,其實就是適應能力。

問題不是你的性格好不好,而是
你的性格所產生的行為,能否在你的環境中,帶來你所期望的結果? 這才是 Effectiveness 有效性真正要問的問題。

10. 而這一切,最終都是關於發展。

你仍然是你,並不是要把自己變成另一個人,而是在原來的自己之上,繼續發展,
讓自己變得更大,也變得更好

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Systemic Typology: Enneagram is Copying Freud?

Hi,

In my 2 previous article, Enneagram, What Really is it and Summary Key Points of the Fate Reengineering Program, I proposed the possible source of enneagram is from Freud's Theories.

My hypothesis is that Ichazo was fitting Freud's Ideas onto the Enneagram Symbol of Gurdjieff in the 60's. There can be no evidence as Ichazo had not disclosed how exactly he invented the Enneagram. It is just a hypothesis. My hypothesis is based on the following 4 observations:

1. Freudism was still the most popular school of psychology in the 1960's.

2. Ichazo named his invention as the Enneagon of Ego Fixation. Both the terms Ego and Fixation are very popular terms of Freudism.

3. There are many correlation between Enneagram and Freudism, for example, the 9 types was very similar to the 6 types of Psychosexual Development Fixation and the symptoms of the Unhealthy Id, Ego and Superego. Similar concepts of Repression, Acting Out, Defensive Mechanisms, Sublimation (results of Inetgration), Death Instincts (the compulsion to repeat unpleasurable experiences) can also be found in Enneagram.

4. The core concept of Ichazo's Ennegarm, the Essence resembles very much Freud's Theory on the Unconscious. According to Ichazo, the loss of awareness of the Holy Idea beccomes a person's Ego Fixation. We repress unpleasant memories into the Subconscious and we gradually moving away from the awareness. This fixed how we think and act.

I am not saying that Ichazo stole anything from Freud. Might be he was having similar understanding as of Freud. The key purpose of my hypothesis is to make clear that the original Enneagram (or Enneagon) is something related to psychology than to mysticism.

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Personal Development: Summary Key Points of the Fate Reengineering Program

Hi,

I just completed the Fate Reengineering Program. There were tons of information and they are not easy. So to make those who have attended and those who haven't having a clearer view of the Systemic Personality Typology, I write these key points for you:

1. Personality is a dynamic set of characteristics, which influences people's cognition, motivation and behaviour.

2. Personality is used represent us, but not to disguise our identity.

3. Study of Personality is systemic. All 7 theories of personality psychology are right. Each of which explains part of the whole story.

4. The 4 Elements of Fate Reengineering are the 4 criteria from Maslow: Awareness, Reality Centred, Acceptance and Democratic.

5. Personality is systemic. We are presenting to the world different faces of our personality. They are contextual, not the core.

6. Personality Typology is systemic. Each typology is seeing personality from one perspective.

7. MBTI or the Jungian Personality Types is seeing personality from a perspective of the 8 Mental or Cognitive Functions. 16 types are the result of combination of 2 groups of mental functions, each having 4 variations. (Not the combination of 4 groups of letters E/I, S/N, T/F & J/P)

8. Enneagram is seeing personality from a perspective of Maladpative Behaviour Mechanism.

9. PPACC is seeing personality from a perspective of the combined action of the 5 Ego States.

10. When understanding the MBTI code, the first and last letters are only used to indicate the preference of the 8 mental functions. Never use these 2 letters to understand one's personality and to seek improvement and development. This will be misleading.

11. To improve, utilize your Supporting Function to balance your Leading Function.

12. To develop, explore your Achievement Function.

13. To be adaptive, be flexible on all your 8 Mental Functions.

14. To use DiSC as shortcut, remember it is your DiSC profiles when you are stress-free.

15. For best and lowest energy consumption performance, use your Inborn (or Core) Functions.

16. Use Enneagram as a "Times Table" for Freud's theories. It is not mystic or sacred. (see my another article on: Enneagram, What Really is It?)

17. Enneagram analysis should be Thematic, not Analytic.

18. High, Average, Low Points, Integration and Disintegration is NOT a direction, but a Signal of Development.

19. High, Average, Low Points, Integration and Disintegration are the result of Awareness. They indicate your Degree of Awareness.

20. So, to develop, enhance your Awareness and Understanding of what you are searching for, your compulsory behaviours, and your maladaptive behaviour mechanism.

21. Different Enneagram types are equivalent to the 6 types of Oral, Anal & Phallic Fixation of Freud's Psychosexual Stage Theory (#2: Electra Complex, #4: Oral Aggressive Fixation, #5: Oral Receptive Fixation, #7: Anal Expulsive Fixation, #8: Oedipus Complex, #1: Anal Retentive Fixation), plus the symptoms from Unhealthy Id (#3), Unhealthy Ego (#6) and Unhealthy Superego (#9).

22. We can't accurately identify others' personality type. It is impossible due to there can be hundreds & thousands of variations of Enneagram Types and Contextual Selves (in MBTI). Only the arrogant and ignorant will claim they can do so.

23. Personality Typology is best for Self Development.

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Monday, October 29, 2007

Personal Development: Enneagram, What Really is It?

Hi,

As I mentioned in the Fate Reenginering Workshop yesterday, from my point of view, enneagram is just a clever fiiting of Freud's theories, plus some ideas from philosophy and metaphysics into the enneagram symbol by its originator, Ichazo in the 1960's. There is nothing sacred in it!

His students and the students of them are continuously adding various kind of stuff into it in the past 30 years. Some are great stuff, some are not.

The enneagram symbol was released to public by Gurdjieff in the 1910's. He had never disclosed the source of this symbol. There is no evidence proving that it was coming from any ancient wisdom. Ichazo borrowed from Gurdjieff the symbol and created his Enneagon of Ego Fixation.

Enneagram is quite accurate. It can be simply because of the reliability of Freud's Theories. You can find the Freud's ideas of Fixation, Repression, Defense Mechanism, etc hidden in the Enneagram of Personality.

I always see enneagram as a useful tool for remembering and applying some of Freud's theories in daily life. Its usefulness is just like the "Times Table" (乘數表) in mathematics.

Take for an example, the Direction of Disintegration in enneagram is 1-4-2-8-5-7-1 and 9-6-3-9. There might be some mystic rationale behind Gurdjieff's original enneagram. But this was just a fitting of Freud's idea of Repression and Acting Out into the symbol. There is nothing mystic. Each type of "personality" is repressing some emotions. When under stress, each releases the repressed emotion in a different way as a Protective Mechanism.

2 releases the repressed emotion of Anger (towards those who did not responded to 2's help and kindness) by attacking, like an unhealthy 8.

3 releases the repressed emotion of Shame (due to 3's failures to achieve) by dissociating from their feelings and turn themselves off, like an unhealthy 9.

4 releases the repressed emotion of Hatred (I am not as good as others) by coercing others to take care of them like an unhealthy 2.

5 releases the repressed emotion of Loneliness and Anxiety (due to 5's isolation and frustration in searching for answers) by acting impulsively and hysterically, like an unhealthy 7.

6 releases the repressed emotion of Fear and Anger (of abandonment and inadequacy) by acting violently towards others, like an unhealthy 3.

7 releases the repressed emotion of Worry and Anxiety (due to losing self-control) by imposing strict rules on themselves and others. 7 might become very critical like an unhealthy 1.

8 releases the repressed emotion of Fear (due to the real and imagined threats from others) by retreating into isolation, like an unhealthy 5.

9 releases the repressed emotion of Helplessness and Anxiety (due to the accumulating effects of previously neglected problems) by depending on others or even becoming self-destructive, like an unhealthy 6.

1 releases the repressed emotion of Shame, Guilt & Self-Hatred (they cannot keep their own rules) and Hatred towards others (others violated their rules or others do not care about their ideals) by becoming self-destructive, addiction or depression, like an unhealthy 4.

You can find many other similar co-relationships of Freud's theories and the Enneagram of Personality. I really like the Enneagram as a Times Table for Freudism.

Forget about the sacredness and mysticism. Use it as a Times Table.

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Friday, October 19, 2007

Concepts 101 Part 9: Discovery & Influence 發現與影響 (原文為英文,後加中文翻譯)

Hi, 

Nearly all my teachings about NLP, Hypnosis, Coaching and Facilitation are revolving around a major concept of mine, Discovery & Influence
 
They are the 2 far ends of the spectrum of thinking and communication. You cannot discover and influence at the same time as they are at the 2 extremes.  
 
Coaching is at the far end of Discovery. We help others to discover without giving any directions and advice. It is a form of pure discovery. It is easy for the coach, but harder for the coachee. Therefore coaching is actually a study of making discovery easier
 
Persuasion is on the other hand, at the far end of Influence. It is hard for the persuaders while easy for the one being persuaded. 
 
From the NLP point of view, Discovery is helping people to recover the Deletions, Distortions and Generalizations in their thinking. Influence is purposefully deleting, distorting and generalizing the thinking of people so as they will agree with you. 
 
Suggestions-Based Hypnosis is a kind of Persuasion. We delete, distort and/or generalize clients' thinking. Facilitation is in between Discovery and Influence. We lead our clients to think using suitable structures so as to gain results faster and easier. Transformation Hypnotherapy (SOBER Therapy) is Facilitation, which is done under trance with the unconscious thinking. 
 
小弟幾乎所有關於 NLP、催眠、教練和輔引的教學,都圍繞著小弟的一個主要概念—發現影響
 
它們是人類思維溝通頻寬的兩個遠端,你不能同時發現和影響,因為它們處於頻寬的兩個極端。
 
教練發現的遠端,我們幫助他人發現,而不提供任何方向和建議,這是一種純粹的發現形式,這對教練者來說相對容易,但對被教練者來說便顯得更難,所以教練學其實是一門研究如何令發現更易的學問
 
另一方面,說服處於影響的那個遠端,說服者難,被說服者容易。
 
NLP 的角度來看,發現幫助人們恢復他們思維中的刪除、扭曲和概括影響卻是刻意地刪除、扭曲和概括人們的想法,以便他們同意你。
 
建議式催眠 Suggestions-Based Hypnosis 是一種說服,我們刪除、歪曲及/或概括對方的想法;輔引 Facilitation 介於發現和影響之間,我們引導客戶考慮使用合適的結構,以便更快、更易地獲得成果;轉化催眠療法(SOBER Therapy)則是一種輔引,一種在無意識思維的入神狀態下完成的輔引學問。
 
Keith  
Explore, Exceed & Excel  

NLP: Some Key Ideas on Advanced Language Patterns

Hi,

I just finished this year's Advanced Language Patterns (ALP) Module of the NLP Practitioner Training last week. I like to share some of my ideas about ALP.

1. ALP are the most important models of NLP. NLP is the study of the interaction between thinking (Neuro) and Use of Language (Linguistics). We never know what others or even what we think. Thinking is inside our mind. They are the Implicit Part of NLP. The Explicit Part is the Language we use. So Language becomes the "Monitor" of our "Human CPU" (our thinking)!

2. The Content of our language reflects the Content of our thinking. They are very important but they are also too complicated to be understood by normal persons, like you and me. The Patterns of our language reflects the Patterns of our thinking. They are also complicated but much simpler than the content. NLP is the study of the Patterns (context) of our thinking through the Patterns of our Language!

3. Apart from the many other language patterns taught in the module, Meta Model, Milton Model, Presuppositions, and Sleight of Mouth (Reframing using language) are the most important four.

4. Meta Model helps to get more detail information (deep structure) of people's thinking. This eliminates misunderstandings of our perceptions of the environment and behaviors due to our filters of Values, Beliefs and Rules (i.e. Distortion, Deletion and Generalization)

5. Milton Model distorts, deletes and generalizes our thinking so that we change our behaviors without much efforts (i.e. capabilities). This can be good or bad, depending on the content. But Milton Model reflects how we think.

6. Presuppositions also works on our perceptions of environment and behaviors so that we can change easier without much efforts. NLP is also the study of our internal presuppositions, i.e. Filters. It is the Filters that causes the discrepancies of our internal world (Our Perceptions) and the external world (i.e. Reality). The greater the discrepancies, the less realistic we are and the more problems we face.

7. Reframing is the temporary adoptation of another set of Filters instead of the dorminated set so that we can see something differently (gaining more information through a different perception). This is an external way to affect the internal filters. It is difficult or even impossible to work directly with our filters as they are internal and hard to identify. With a new set of filters, we can see more about our Reality and thus decreasing the discrepancies.

8. Meta Model is the easiest of all as it is quite mechanical. You observe the Meta Model Violations and then apply the respective Meta Model to make others or yourself to go meta to see more.

9. Milton Model is also easy. It is just filling in the blank and apply. The only difficult part is deciding what to fill in. The secret is "Pacing & Leading". There are always at least 2 parts of a Milton Model. The first part is Pacing and the second part is Leading. Only the stupid or someone who doesn't really understand NLP will tell you to just fill in anything and you can then persuade others.

10. Presuppositions is again easy. It is also filling in the blank and apply. The secret is there must be lots of "Truth" and a bit of "Falseness". If the "Fasleness" is too false, make it less false before filling in.

11. People find the above 3 difficult because they are unable to see the Meta Model Violations or what to be filling in for the Milton Model or the Presuppositions. Why? Because they are at the same level of the speaker! You must go meta first before you can see them! Einstein once said that we can't solve the problems at the same level of the source of the problems. He is very right.

12. Reframing is the hardest of the fours because Reframing is working on the Filters (Beliefs, Values, Rules), which are already in the upper level which governs people's lower level of capabilities, behaviours and environment. If we need to go meta to see our lower level, we need to go meta-meta to see our upper levels. I had talked about Meta-Meta in Master NLP Practitioner Program. It is difficult to grasp. I will talk about it in greater details in my later messages.

Here is an easier way to understand. If you want to refarme others, you must see the other frame(s) first before you can lead someone to see through that new frame(s). It is NOT a simple filling in the blank. You see something before you can tell someone how to see it! If you are stuck or not being flexible, you can never see the possibilities of any new frame.

13. The best way to judge someone's understanding of NLP is to ask him/her to demonstrate the ALP. One can memorize all the patterns, but using them is another story!

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Personal Development: NLP, Hypnosis, Coaching, Facilitation, Systemic Thinking and Influencing

Hi,

I teach quite a lot of stuff, mainly including NLP, Hypnosis, Coaching, Facilitation, Systemic Thinking and Influencing. They seem to be quite different but I am teaching the same thing, Self Awareness!

1. NLP is the gaining of awareness through realizing and minimizing the discrepancy of our External World (Reality) and Internal World (Perceptions). This results in a clearer and realistic thinking.

2. Hypnosis is about accumulating awareness by recognizing and re-understanding our beliefs that leaded to our problems. This results in solving of our problems.

3. Coaching is to enhance our awareness by exposing our assumptions and blind spots. This results in development.

4. Facilitation is the gaining of awareness using different frameworks and directions of thinking. This leads to faster and easier results.

5. Systemic Thinking is increasing our awareness through exploring beyond our usual system of thinking and to identify the connections between sub-systems. This results in seeing more, in form of both bigger pictures and details.

6. Influencing is attaining awareness by understanding human patterns of thinking. You can then persuade others according to their thinking patterns.

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Coaching: Some Misunderstandings about Coaching

Hi,

One of our classmates asked me a question. Someone told her the following about coaching:

1. We must use reflecting (paraphrasing) to build rapport in coaching.
2. We can coach by doing self-Disclosure (sharing your experience).
3. A coach is required to confront with the coachee.

She is confused. My answer is as follow:

One of the most acceptable definition of coaching is: coaching in non-sporting environments focus on non-directive questioning, provocation and helping clients to analyse and solve their own challenges, rather than offering advice or direction. (This definition was given by Timothy Gallwey, the Father and Originator of Coaching)

If this definition is right, then anything that offering direction and advice is NOT coaching. Reflection and self disclosure can be very directive.

Rapport building is very important in any form of helping, not just coaching. We can adopt a more non-directive way to build rapport in coaching, like talking about what the clients want to discuss. (i.e. 今日想同我傾D乜?). Furthermore, if we are doing real coaching, we do not have our own position or standpoint (立場). This is already the best form of rapport building as we will never argue with the coachees.


Confronting with coachee is the easiest way to lose rapport!

In the past years, I respect the above definition so much that I try my best to develop ways and models to coach without giving advices and directions. They will never be as efficient as directly giving advices or indirectly leading the coachees. However, people wants quick results and starts to do all sorts of things to "speed up" the result of coaching. The outcome is many so-called coaches practicing psychotherapy, counselling, and consulting without proper qualification, but using the name of coaching. I predicted this 6 years ago in 2001 during the 1st class of Registered Corporate Coach Training.

Think of you can have 2 tools to help your people (as a matter of fact, we can have tens of tools to help), they are coaching and advising. But if you mix up the two, we then only have one instead of 2.

Coaching is never better than all other forms of helping. But if coaching is a separate form of helping, then it must be different from others. Or it is just something old with a new name-tag.

Years ago, I already decided to take up my mission of promoting the "Pure" form of Coaching. It can be a lonely and difficult path, but I enjoy it so much!

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Learning from Life 156 -160

Hi,

This is another edition of Learning from Life.

156. If you want to change your Future, change it at Now.

157. People doesn't mean "No" when they say "No".

158. But they also do not mean "Yes", when they say "Yes".

159. People will steal from you. The best way to protect your belongings is to ensure that you can earn them back even if you lose them.

160. People wants to be heard.

Keith
Explore, Exceed & Excel