Top 10 most common and natural NLP phrases

Based on System Description Approximate % of People 

Visual (V) Processes via images, spatial awareness, "seeing" ideas~65%Most common; quick thinkers, future-oriented, often in creative/visual professions

Auditory (A) Processes via sounds, tones, words, rhythm~20-25%Talkative, musical, good listeners; balanced but less dominant than V.

Kinaesthetic (K) Processes via feelings, touch, emotions, movement~10-15%Intuitive, hands-on; slower speech, empathetic; common in athletes or therapists.

Auditory Digital (Ad) Internal self-talk, logic, analysis (not purely sensory)~5-10% (or integrated)"Thinkers" who lead with reasoning; monotone, analytical types.

Top 100 SME sectors and the likely NLP for CTA that they prefer

Word Document HERE

Visual (V) – Seeing, images, clarity

1. I see what you mean.


2. That looks good to me.
3. Can you show me?
4. It’s crystal clear.
5. Let’s get a clearer picture.
6. I need to focus on this.
7. The big picture is…
8. That’s a bright idea.
9. Things are looking up.
10. Paint me a picture.

1. That sounds right.
2. I hear you loud and clear.
3. Let’s tune into this.
4. That rings a bell.
5. Tell me more.
6. It’s music to my ears.
7. We’re on the same wavelength.
8. That clicked for me.
9. Word for word.
10. Let me bounce this off you.

1. I feel good about this.
2. That doesn’t sit right with me.
3. Let’s get a handle on it.
4. It’s a heavy decision.
5. I need to grasp the idea.
6. That touched me.
7. Smooth sailing from here.
8. I’m getting in touch with it.
9. It just feels off.
10. Let’s roll with it.

Pro Tip: - Matching on the phone especially

• Visual → fast, high-pitched, gestures up
• Auditory → rhythmic speech, head tilted, “uh-huh”
• Kinaesthetic → slower, deeper voice, touch gestures

Use these phrases in rapport — match the person’s system to build unconscious trust.

Visual Phrases

These work brilliantly with people who process information through imagery, pictures, and spatial awareness.

• "I see exactly what you mean."
• "Let’s take a look at the bigger picture here."
• "That brings the whole concept into focus."
• "From my perspective, this looks like the right path forward."
• "Let's make sure we are entirely clear on the vision."

Use these with clients who lean into tone, rhythm, and spoken word to understand their world.

• "That sounds like a solid plan to me."
• "I hear what you're saying, and it makes complete sense."
• "We seem to be on the exact same wavelength."
• "That specific point really rings a bell."
• "Let's talk this through to find the right rhythm."

Perfect for individuals who make decisions based on intuition, comfort, and physical or emotional connection.

• "I completely grasp where you are coming from."
• "Let’s get a firm handle on these challenges first."
• "How does this direction feel to you?"
• "We want to build this on a really solid foundation."
• "I can tap into the pressure you're facing with this deadline."

These track well with highly logical, detail-driven people who need data, systems, and internal processing time.

• "Let's analyse the facts before making a decision."
• "Does this system map out logically for you?"
• "I want to process this information thoroughly."
• "Based on the criteria we've established..."
• "That sequence makes perfect sense from an operational standpoint."

When you elevate your conversation to senior business people—such as CEOs, CFOs, and Managing Directors—their metaprogrammes shift dramatically compared to mid-level managers. They operate under heavy time constraints, immense responsibility, and strategic pressure.

If you are pitching to the C-suite or senior executives, these are the exact poles of those 10 metaprogrammes you are most likely to find, and exactly how you need to adjust your approach to match them.
1. Motivation Direction: Strong Away From (with a strategic Toward)

• What you will find: Whilst founders might be highly "Toward" (growth and vision), most corporate senior executives are heavily filtered by Away From. They are paid to manage risk, protect corporate reputation, and stop revenue leakage.
• The Adjustment: Do not just pitch blue-sky growth. Lead with how your solution mitigates risk, prevents compliance failures, or stops them losing market share to competitors.

2. Frame of Reference: Heavily Internal

• What you will find: Senior business people rarely look to others to tell them what to do; they have arrived at the top because they trust their own judgment. They will listen politely to testimonials, but they ultimately judge based on their own internal criteria.
• The Adjustment: Avoid telling them what they should do. Instead, ask high-level questions that allow them to use their own metrics. Use language like, "Based on your own experience of the market, how does this align with your corporate strategy?"

3. Operational Style: Strong Options

• What you will find: Executives hate being boxed into a rigid, singular process. They think strategically and want to see alternative pathways, custom scenarios, and strategic flexibility.
• The Adjustment: Offer 2 or 3 strategic choices or frameworks. Frame your offer as an adaptable partnership rather than a take-it-or-leave-it "procedure". (Leave the detailed step-by-step procedure discussion for their implementation teams).

4. Relationship Comparison: Difference with Evolution (Sameness with Exception)

• What you will find: True "Difference" (complete disruption) is often too high-risk for an established business leader, whilst pure "Sameness" is boring. They usually look for a significant improvement or evolution—how to do what they do, but vastly better, faster, or more securely.
• The Adjustment: Show them how your solution respects their current foundations but introduces a crucial pivot or upgrade that gives them a distinct competitive edge.

5. Action Style: Calculated Proactive

• What you will find: They are highly proactive because they are decision-makers, but they are not impulsive. They want to initiate action quickly once the strategic risk has been evaluated.
• The Adjustment: Provide short, high-impact executive summaries so they can make a quick go/no-go decision to pass it down the chain for due diligence. Keep your momentum fast.

6. Chunk Size: Extreme Big Picture (Global)

• What you will find: This is arguably the most distinct executive filter. Senior leaders operate at 30,000 feet. If you start walking a CEO through software features, user interfaces, or granular admin steps, you will lose their attention instantly.
• The Adjustment: Talk exclusively about macro outcomes: ROI, market positioning, scalability, and organizational efficiency. If they want details, they will bring a specialist or a technical manager into the meeting.

7. Convincer Source: Self

• What you will find: Similar to being "Internal", they are convinced by their own analysis of data and logic, rather than external hype or social proof alone.
• The Adjustment: Provide raw, undeniable data, pilot results, or business case metrics. Let them do the math and arrive at the conclusion themselves.

8. Convincer Demonstration: Period of Time / Consistent

• What you will find: Senior business leaders are rarely "Automatic" buyers. Because large budgets and corporate stability are at stake, they need to see that a solution holds up over a period of consideration or across a business quarter.
• The Adjustment: Do not try to force a "one-call close". Build a structured, high-value nurturing process that proves your reliability over a few key touchpoints.

9. Working Style: Proximity

• What you will find: Executives rarely want to work in a "Cooperative" (hand-holding) fashion because they don't have the time. However, they don't want total "Independence" from a supplier because they need accountability. They prefer Proximity—they want to steer the ship but require you to be close by, running the engine flawlessly.
• The Adjustment: Position yourself as a strategic asset. You manage the execution entirely, but they retain ultimate control and high-level visibility.

10. Value Filter: Quality & Convenience (Rarely Cost)

• What you will find: For a senior executive, "Cost" is a relative metric compared to value. A cheap solution that breaks or wastes their time is an expensive disaster. They will happily pay a premium for Quality (reliability, security) and Convenience (speed, zero friction for their team).
• The Adjustment: Never lead with a discount. Frame your price around the cost of inaction, the hours saved, and the absolute premium security and peace of mind your business provides.