Thousands Go Deeper Into Trance
I invested a couple of days this weekend into attending Chris Howard’s Breakthrough to Success (3 day no-cost training). My review:
Chris positions himself as the fifth generation of personal growth. As the one who will give you the skills that others can only talk about (his examples of “others” were Napoleon Hill, Norman Peale, NLP, Anthony Robbins). I wish he delivered on that promise.
Alas, he doesn’t. His material is basically a version of Tad James’ NLP & Timeline trainings. It is neither revolutionary, nor evolutionary. I would call much of it outdated. Not even in the same league as the work of innovators such as Robert Dilts, Richard Bandler or Joseph Riggio.
Chris is a fabulous speaker, with high energy and passion for his work. The training is fun, filled with games, dancing, video, music. Definitely a crowd pleaser.
But as a trainer !?! The fifteen hours that I invested there could’ve been condensed into three. A process he did (future imprinting) was missing an important step. Skills are difficult to learn because most of the time (thirteen hours) Chris is speaking at the audience, instead of the attendees practicing the skills.
A good chunk of the time, Chris is selling his products, overtly and covertly. I found his manipulation of the audience distasteful. He’s consistently anchoring himself as the messiah who will lead us to the salvation (guess where he’s anchoring all the negative emotions…). He’s using embedded commands, such as “when you pass b[u]y the CDs on your way out”.
But the biggest sore spot is this: I can understand a trainer who is using outdated models - maybe he isn’t aware of the cutting edge work. I can understand a trainer who is manipulating the audience to sell his products at a free 42 hour seminar - he’s got to keep his business afloat. But I cannot forgive a trainer who is violating his prime directive by teaching people helplessness (by anchoring their path to happiness through himself).
To summarize, IMHO, I would without a hesitation go to Chris to learn platform and presentation skills. But I would find a different trainer for personal growth.
P.S. I want to emphasize that the review above is based on Chris’ free training. I have no idea how different are his for-cost trainings.
Arman
Well written piece.
I have been thinking a lot about this guy, and your write up. I do agree with most of it.
In a way my difference in opinion is only in your comparision with Bandler/dilts/riggio. These guys do not cater to the same kind of clientle. And they are innovators first and businessmen next IMO.
cheers
January 30th, 2007 | #
Just because you dont seem to draw any benefit from the sessions it does not mean others do not. I know this for a fact that Chris is quite good and like Tony he has helped thousands of people reach their potential and elad a more fuller life.
January 30th, 2007 | #
Arman,
I enjoyed your perspective on Chris Howard. I’ve often wondered what it would be like for someone as intelligent and well studied as you are to sit through one of Chris Howard’s free events. Thank you for the insight. It was truly delicious to read!
February 6th, 2007 | #
obviously with so much training I would have thought you would now be competent at creating the value of chris howard’s event. Certainly I can see where the flashlight of your focus was aimed.
We search for evidence to prove ourselves ‘right’.
February 21st, 2007 | #
On reading this review, my first reaction was to smile and sarcastically say “meow!”.
my second reaction was a number of questions…
what was your purpose and intent in attending this event?
if you stayed for the whole 3 days, what made you stay?
what is your secondary gain from writing this review?
what have you learned about yourself, from the experience of attending the event and writing the review?
February 21st, 2007 | #
I rather agree with Sarah here. Chris’s event is a ’shopwindow’ for his products. I didn’t expect anything else from a ‘free’ course. I’m fairly well advanced in NLP but went to see what was on offer.
Sure, the NLP given during the weekend was basic and maybe outdated but there were many folk there who DID benefit from it. Different things work for differernt people so don’t knock the ‘old stuff’.
I could say much about the 3 day event and I went with an open mind, threw myself (as I normally do), 100% into it.
I think I reflect the majority of those there when I say that it was an opportunity to meet some wonderful people in a fun, uplifting and inspiring atmosphere.
I’m sorry you felt Chris was some sort of ‘Mesaiah’. I don’t believe the audience there with me thought the same.
If anyone is well advanced in NLP and psycholgy in general and cynical about these events - don’t go!
If you want a fun, free three days in the company of wonderful positive minded people then GO and ENJOY!!: grin:
In plain words, the website, explains what is on offer - ‘does what it says on the tin!’
March 17th, 2008 | #