Trained as an auditor, Wong was working in Vancouver in the 1990s when he came across a newspaper article about neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Interested, he decided to attend a session. He is now a highly qualified specialist in the practice.

'I often meet people in seminars who say, 'I don't need it, there's nothing wrong with me',' Wong says. But, as he explains, his seminars are more about taking a common-sense approach.

'If your staff members are not happy, they will complain, get angry, and eventually leave. As a result, companies [will incur] the cost of retraining new people. If they are happy, they work hard, don't mind staying late, and like their bosses,' he says.

It's a rare company that doesn't have dissatisfied staff members, but a negative mindset can always be altered, Wong says.

'I don't change people's thinking,' he adds. 'Therapy is nothing magical. The effectiveness of these tools has a lot to do with you being able to acknowledge who you are, as a leader and a subordinate.'

For the one-day workshop, Wong sits the participants in groups.

'I ask a lot of questions, beginning with the present state - what they have now.' he says. 'People often negate what they have and should appreciate what they already have achieved. I never tell my students what they need or what they should think.

'Through group discussions business leaders and managers come across common issues [even though they come from] different industries.'

As this creates an air of solidarity, people don't feel they have a unique problem. Wong says the next step is to work towards solutions rather than allowing the group to 'become a cluster of victims'.

'It's a lot easier sometimes to be a victim. But it's important to avoid that and work towards solutions on how people can change their behaviour,' he says.

'If you act in an unhappy, angry way, people will react negatively to that. If your attitude is positive and happy, it helps with your own self-fulfilment and will make your staff happier and more open.'

While the Happy Coaching seminar is directed at managers, it can be applied to all workers.

'NLP is a philosophy, a mindset that gets you to think: Why don't I just make a small step?' Wong says. 'Once you get hold of your own value system, you then know where to focus. So what is important to you, what motivates you?'

The workshop consists of questioning behaviour, discussions and games, including one that involves clapping, Wong says. 'They are split into pairs and then have to clap one another's hands,' he says. 'Soon they are all laughing, because it is fun. Having fun and being happy will lead to increased motivation and a happier workforce.'

Event details

Date March 30

Time 9.30am-6pm

Venue 15/F, Hip Shing Hong Centre, 55 Des Voeux Road, Central

Language Cantonese

Fee Standard rate: HK$2,800. Early-bird rate (on or before March 18): HK$1,960

Format One-day workshop with question and answer, group discussions and games