New Code NLP
New Code Neuro Linguistic Programming (New Code NLP) is a discipline co-created by John Grinder and Carmen Bostic St Clair through a collaboration which began in 1988 and is still current, with research and development of new patterning. New Code NLP is a multiple application approach in a variety of fields such as business, education, sports, health, coaching, trauma recovery, parenting and any life area where significant improvement in choices, performance and congruency is desired.
While quite distinct from Classic Code NLP, New Code NLP shares several important variables with Classic Code NLP which sharply distinguishes it from all other models of change work. Here are some of the principle traits common to both Classic and New Code NLP which distinguish them from other forms of change work.
[1] Modeling: The modeling source of many of the patterns of both Classic NLP and New Code NLP is modeling. Modeling is the unconscious assimilation of the complex patterning of advanced, high performing individuals, in their practice. When the modeler succeeds in replicating the performance and results of the model, the explicit codification of the replicated patterning, its testing and successful transfer to interested parties through videos, books, and trainings (both face-to-face and remotely).
[2]For a pattern to qualify as a Classic NLP or a New Code NLP pattern, it has to be a pure process pattern; free of content. This distinction is an essential characteristic of NLP patterning (both New Code and Classic). The intention of the agent of change is to develop in the client, a state which allows that client to generate choices in precisely those contexts where the client lacks such satisfactory choices.
In New Code NLP, the intention of the agent of change is to develop in the client, a state which allows that client to generate choices in precisely those contexts where the client lacks such satisfactory choice.
New Code NLP process models (New Code NLP patterns) naturally source unconscious competencies of the client that yield a set of choices congruent for the client as opposed to choices imposed by a content model formed to meet someone else’s personal criteria; too often, the agent of change.
NEW CODE NLP has a radically different epistemology from the Classic NLP, with a less cumbersome approach to change work, generating sets of new choices, through the activation of optimized states thereby producing significantly more flexibility for the client.
Grinder and Bostic’s intention in developing New Code NLP and distinguishing it from Classic NLP was to construct a platform for a radically distinctive epistemology and strategy for the new patterning. As part of this work, they sought to make New Code NLP patterning more effective, ecological and broader in its applications.
Grinder and Bostic St Clair’s unique partnership began when as a student of NLP in 1987, Bostic St Clair created an updated design applying elements of the earliest Classic Code NLP model, The Meta Model. She then utilized and tested them in oral and written communications with her executive teams in her capacity as CEO of a holding company. Excited by the improved communication within the companies, Bostic St Clair relayed the results of the design and testing to Grinder. Bostic St Clair’s testing of the modifications and updates to the Meta Model, paved the way for their future partnership, the recoding of Classic Code NLP and thus the emergence of New Code NLP.
In 1988, John Grinder joined Carmen in her private consulting company (Quantum Leap). They worked together for the next 10 years utilizing certain core Classic Code NLP patterns, whilst simultaneously developing New Code NLP patterns, which were applied internationally in corporate consulting contracts. The first format was what is now called the Verbal Package; which Bostic St Clair had begun testing with her own execs when she was CEO of the holding Company.
In the work referenced above, Carmen Bostic St Clair introduced a different style of training to NLP, ‘inductive learning’ which is related to NLP Modeling (the source of both Classic and New Code NLP), utilizing unconscious assimilation as the core of learning. With inductive learning the ‘student’ is unaware of the unconscious engagement to assimilate the patterns they become competent with. A naturalistic example of inductive learning is the way a child learns to speak their mother tongue.
An excellent example of inductive learning is how Grinder and Bostic transferred the linguistic patterns from the New Code NLP ‘Verbal Package’, through their verbal interactions with their corporate clients, who within a short period of time unconsciously demonstrated natural competence, in utilizing patterns such as ‘intention frame’, ‘specifier questions’ and ‘paraphrasing’, all through natural modeling.
The inductive learning experience was then coded in order to have choice in achieving the experience again; thereby, ensuring continued usage of the pattern through-out the corporate culture. The premise of inductive learning is “A pattern discovered is a pattern owned” (quote Carmen Bostic St Clair see page 3 Prologue Origins of NLP (Grinder and Pucelik 2012).
Grinder and Bostic began creating specific formats in addition to the New Code games that Grinder had created since the end of his collaboration with Bandler. Some of Grinder’s early transitional work from Classic Code NLP is documented in “Turtles All the Way Down” (Grinder and Deloizier 1987), an annotated transcript of a seminar. The material published whilst transitional, is quite distinct to the body of work known as New Code NLP (Grinder and Bostic).
Another commitment within New Code NLP, is self-application, where a person trained in the patterning makes their own life situations the primary target of change and congruency that New Code NLP yields, prior to them coaching others in their life contexts. An influencing factor in the self-application aspect of New Code NLP, was the lack of congruency John Grinder observed in the Practitioners trained in Classic Code NLP; see Grinder’s commentary below:
"In the late 70’s I noticed a significant number of NLP trained Practitioners who were stunningly effective in doing change work with clients, yet these same Practitioners had chosen to, or lacked the choice to, apply the patterns of NLP successfully to themselves. I therefore set out with the intention of designing a set of patterns that would both correct the coding flaws of the Classic Code (roughly my collaborative work with Bandler from 1974 through 1978) that could not be effectively presented unless the presenter was congruent with self-application.”
Published in Whispering in the Wind, Bostic and Grinder (2001)
Thus, self-application becomes one of the essential competencies of mastery of the NEW CODE process-based patterning.
Another key issue Grinder and Bostic identified with Classic Code NLP, was its excessive focus on the client’s conscious efforts to finding solutions for the issues that clients’ sought to change. Grinder and Bostic recognized that the route to quick, deep, ecological change was dependent on the utility of what renowned hypnotist Milton Erickson referred to as the 'unconscious mind'; that is, unconscious processes. In addition to utilizing resources from the unconscious, there is emphasis on intention and state at the level of input rather than changing behavior at the level of output.
The New Code NLP patterns developed by Grinder, (influenced by the work of Roger Tabb), known as 'New Code NLP Games' generate optimized states (high performance states) whose application contain enhanced behaviors as a natural part of the change process. This style of change, naturally produces more effective behavior and state in life situations where a client is seeking more choice. This new way of engaging the unconscious processes of a client does not require official hypnotic patterning but does produce deep changes in the states activated by the client in the selected contexts. It supersedes the old-style conscious mind programming frequently utilized in Classic NLP.
Carmen Bostic St Clair’s contribution, clearly apparent in her training sessions, which focus on self-calibration, self-application and internal team-building (the Team Within), while developing new process patterns based on dance, ball games, rhythms, poetry, and music. This style of patterning, creates a natural context of discovery for learners to tune into their bodies in order to prepare them to initiate communication with their unconscious and internal team in a way that is congruently aligned with their intentions. By providing the context to experience direct signals from their unconscious, later coded as Spontaneously Occurring Signals (SOS signals), the stage is set to communicate with their internal team… all of which are steps toward personal application and congruence with the processes of NEW CODE NLP.
The above developments from Carmen utilize inductive learning and pedagogy (the study of how knowledge and skills are imparted in an educational context), in this case the unconscious uptake of the patterns - experiencing the process pattern before making it explicit. This inductive learning process is isomorphic to NLP modeling, which of course is the source of Classic and New Code NLP.
In 2001, Grinder and Bostic published “Whispering in the Wind” in which the authors make explicit how Classic Code NLP, (Grinder and Bandler) is distinct from the NEW CODE NLP (Grinder and Bostic). See the excerpts below from Whispering for some of the differences.
Whispering in the Wind, Grinder and Bostic (2001)
Further, experiences with these patterns of unconscious access seem to lead to what we have come to call the disciplined know-nothing state. One of the fundamental strategies behind the new code was to develop a set of activities or games which lead naturally to the activation in the player of a content free, optimised state.
In Whispering in the Wind, Bostic and Griner state, ‘The New Code represents a natural although radical extension of certain variables implicitly embodied in the classic code. The New Code takes these variables to their extreme values’.
Whispering in the Wind, Bostic and Grinder (2001)
In 2006 John Grinder and Carmen Bostic St Clair entered into a partnership with Michael Carroll, The owner of The NLP Academy, based in London, UK, and founded the International Trainers Academy of NLP (ITA) as an organization which granted selected Grinder/Bostic/Carroll Trainers rights to train and certify NEW CODE NLP to their classes.
In 2008 as recognition of Michael Carroll's contribution to the design of courses and development of New Code NLP patterning, Grinder and Bostic recognised Carroll as a Co-Developer of New Code NLP and since then, in addition to Grinder and Bostic’s work cited above, Grinder, Bostic & Carroll trained New Code NLP Courses to thousands of people who traveled from all over the world seeking Certification in the patterning of New Code NLP.
In 2022, as consequence of a distinct shift in the public demand for New Code NLP Coaching, in the period after the Covid 19 restraints, John, Carmen and Michael launched the International Trainers and Coaching Academy of NLP (ITCA) as an update and upgrade to the ITA, (International Trainers Academy). ITCA is the official certification body, for Approved New Code NLP Trainers to lead New Code NLP training certifications for the public, and also a support membership organization for New Code NLP Practitioners and Coaches who emerge from the official programs led by John Grinder, Carmen Bostic St Clair, Michael Carroll and Approved ITCA New Code NLP Trainers.
The launch of ITCA coincides with introduction of new patterning developed by John and Carmen for the current era, such as the Covid Clean Up Protocol (CCU) for supporting clients’ recovery from any longer term health challenges they are experiencing as a consequence of the virus, and also ‘The New Normal’ a set of New Code patterns which are designed for people to apply in their lives to build personal choices, in social, business and family contexts, when there has been a shift in life circumstances, outside of the direct health changes, which came as a result of the global pandemic.
New Code NLP is the exclusive Intellectual Property of John Grinder and Carmen Bostic St. Clair and is registered as an international trademark. ITCA (formerly ITA) is the sole and exclusive legal agency authorized to offer recognized training ensuring the quality of the patterning of New Code NLP. Please use the email address in the footer of this website to report any unauthorised use of New Code NLP Pattering, so the appropriate legal action can be taken to preserve Grinder/Bostic Intellectual Property Rights.
ITCA is the ONLY organization which approves the training of New Code NLP, any New Code NLP course, led outside of ITCA is unapproved by John and Carmen, and is a direct breach of John and Carmen’s intellectual property.
New Code NLP is a dynamic field in the sense it is continually developing with new patterns being authored by Grinder and Bostic and tested by Grinder, Bostic and Carroll and other contributors. In the present day there are New Code NLP Trainers all over the world, who are Approved by Grinder and Bostic St Clair through the ITA to train and certify others in New Code NLP, creating a robust New Code NLP global community of well-trained Practitioners who are actively engaged in helping others have more choice in their lives; the key premise of New Code NLP patterning.