Associated Teachers TV programme
From Good To Outstanding
Archetypal Gestures
Virginia Satir, one of the world’s leading family therapist, was ‘modelled’ by Richard Bandler and John Grinder (the founders of NLP). She observed that people use five basic language categories and identified body positions that usually accompany these: Blaming, Placating, Computing, Distracting and Levelling. People will use a mixture of these in communication however we all have a preference for one or more. Knowing the effect of Satir positions and language on others is a powerful way to have a positive effect and ensure impact and influence.
Blaming
The Blaming Person tends to want to shift responsibility. They will often point their finger and use stiff gestures. Their language will be full of generalisations. They use phrases which include ‘all’, refer to only part of an experience or make value judgements that omit to mention the speaker (e.g. ‘Boys shouldn’t cry’ – the response to which might be ‘who says that?’).
Placating
The Placating Person is the Blamer’s counterpart they seek sympathy. They may even accept the blame for just about everything. Their body language is not forceful and will often include the palms up ‘Placater’ position. They will express themselves by talking about how they ‘should’ or ‘can’t’ do something to trigger a guilt response in others. They may use verbs in a way that is vague (e.g. ‘If only you knew’).
Computing
The Computing Person uses language and body postures that hide emotions. They are dissociated from the situation and can appear cold or unfeeling. In their language they will talk much of ‘you’ and ‘one’. They often say things that are value judgements without indicating who could have made the judgement. The effect of which is to imply that everyone would agree (e.g. ‘It’s not good to be strict’ or ‘one must agree that . . .’).
Distracting
The distracter will switch quickly between the three positions above. They may be seeking to cause confusion to distract attention from themselves or could be internally confused. In their language they will often fail to refer clearly to what they are talking about (e.g. ‘Nobody knows what’s going on’) or use other generalisations.
Levelling
The Leveller will use grounded positions that allow them to come across as ‘on the level’, centred and factual. Their body posture communicates the idea that they are being to true to what they think (palms pressing down at mid-body height). This posture has a calming effect on the physiology of not only the leveller but also those that see it. This position holds people’s attention and can do so even with just one hand. There are few negative things to say about this posture however people who do not want to hear the truth may challenge it. Overused it can lead to disinterest and boredom.
Creating your own Spotlight states
(or Circle of Excellence - NLP Process of Self Anchoring)
Build a powerful resource state using the circle of excellence technique. To create a circle of excellence, draw an imaginary circle on the floor or mark a circle in chalk large enough to step into.
Remember experiences where you felt powerful, creative, composed, or any resourceful state where you felt balanced and centred.
Step into the circle only as quickly or slowly as you remember and re-access the resourceful state through your inner senses. ie. See what you saw through your own eyes within the actual experience, hear the sounds and language used, and get in touch with your posture, breathing and emotions when inside the desirable resource memory. Note that an observer would see changes in your physiology such as better posture, deeper breathing, and skin colour changes. If there is no noticeable change In your physiology the resource state is either poorly accessed or low intensity. If it is low intensity, choose another resource state that is more powerful.
Repeat step 4. with an additional resource state, continuing to add resource states One at a time. When you have enough resources, you step automatically into a very powerful state on entering the circle which is truly now a circle of excellence.
You can take this imaginary spotlight and use it whenever you need, or you can set up spotlights to initiate states that will be useful in the classroom which are then located in specific places.
Examples of useful states to be used in particular spaces in the classroom
A discipline state – Congruent, confident, in charge
Teaching State – eloquence, clarity, focus
A facillitation state – open, listening, curiosity
Voicework (cup)
A simple way to learn how to project your voice to a specific place so that your voice can target a student is to have a friend hold a wine glass or plastic cup and then you practice targeting your voice into the cup. Your partner can move around and so you can experience the different ways you need to speak in order to hit the cup. With a fine glass your friend will be able to feel the vibration of your sound waves hitting the glass. This is a techniques used by singers and actors to learn voice control.
Balance board/belly button
To achieve a more balanced and resourceful posture simply put you hand over you belly button this has the effect of centring you and brings with it a stable and more resourceful posture and state.
The balance board can be used enhance this effect and improve voice quality.
Note to teachers
This document was not created by Teachers TV but the author has allowed us to publish it here to be used for educational purposes