Course Information
Motivational Interviewing and Neuro-linguistic Programming Primer for Audit Professionals
Parking for SAO, Professional Development courses is in Garage B (1511 San Jacinto Blvd.). The Garage signage may read 1511 San Jacinto or Garage B. The elevator in Garage B is not reliable. If you are unable to walk the stairs, please contact the professionaldevelopment@sao.texas.gov for alternate parking arrangements. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
A course coordinator will email you a parking permit prior to the course start date. A permit must be displayed or you will be ticketed.
Course Description
Interested in learning soft skill techniques typically only taught to counselors, sales and marketing professionals, politicians, and psychologists/psychiatrists; yet can be used by auditors to deliver breakthrough results in auditing situations?
This one-of-a-kind course can’t be found anywhere else on the planet! Come try out a one-day primer to empower you to start practicing two of the most powerful soft skills any auditor can develop over their career: motivational interviewing and neuro-linguistic programming. Learn how to use these powerful tools to skyrocket your audit results!
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
· Learn what are Neuro-linguistic Programming and Motivational Interviewing are and how they can be applied to an auditing engagement.
· Learn the core precepts of each method and practice how to use them during audit engagements.
· Become facile at using these tools and techniques to boost your effectiveness as an auditor to produce better audit results.
· Learn an audit framework to create support for these tools within your organization.
Course Outline
Part 1: What is Motivational Interviewing and How Do You Successfully Use It During an Audit
· Why is motivational interviewing (MI) suddenly the ‘buzzword’ and finding new applications in auditing?
· What is motivational interviewing and what outcomes does it produce?
· How to use a collaborative, person-centered directive auditing interview method for addressing the common problem of ambivalence about behavior change.
· How to conduct effective audit interviews within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.
Part 2: Conducting Motivational Audit Interviews
· Precept 1: Motivation to change is elicited from the client, and is not imposed from outside forces.
· Precept 2. It is the client’s task, to articulate and resolve his or her ambivalence and audit issues.
· Precept 3. How to NOT use direct persuasion for resolving issues.
· Precept 4. How to elicit versus solicit information from the client.
· Precept 5. How to help your client to examine, identify findings and resolve issues.
· Precept 6. How to create a partnership during the audit process.
Part 3: What is Neuro-linguistic Programming and How Do You Successfully Use It During an Audit
· Why is neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is not just for sales any longer and being used across business worldwide.
· What is neuro-linguistic programming and what outcomes does it produce?
· How to use NLP to realize your goals and objectives during an audit.
· How to use NLP to get the most out of your client and audit team
· How to use NLP to achieve audit excellence
Part 4: Using NLP in an Auditing Program
· How to utilize NLP principles during an audit or within an audit program
· How to use NLP to understand your client
· How to build rapport using NLP
· How to anchor positive emotions during an audit using NLP
· How to inspire and motivate your audit team and audit clients to be successful
· How to give feedback to fuel improvement
· Coaching your client and team for peak performance
· Handling difficult people on your audit team and during an audit
Instructors
Audit Transformation Expert and Global Thought Leader in AI Auditing
Elizabeth is recognized as one of the world’s most senior and experienced AI auditors, blending over 32 years of auditing expertise with pioneering leadership in artificial intelligence tools and implementations. A master-level AI designer and certified AI practitioner, Elizabeth was among the first professionals globally selected to test and train in AI technologies for business and audit applications. She has spent the past three years deeply immersed in AI systems, governance, design, and risk—positioning her at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.
Elizabeth is also one of SAO’s highest-rated professional development trainers and a frequent keynote figure in the world of organizational performance. Her career began in high-stakes environments—working for an ISO9000/14000/18000/27001 and EHS auditing —where she led audits across dozens of organizations including U.S. military installations, pharmaceutical and energy companies, research and development laboratories, and regulated entities in high-risk sectors like oil, gas, and power as well as local, state, and federal government agencies.
While at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Elizabeth developed the original regulatory framework for the Clean Texas performance-based auditing program, collaborating closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to align federal and state compliance strategies. This groundbreaking work set the stage for her career-long mission: transforming auditing into a force for innovation, compliance, and business performance.
Elizabeth is widely respected for her ability to demystify AI for auditors and business leaders, empowering professionals to both audit AI technologies effectively and use AI to dramatically enhance the speed, accuracy, and strategic impact of auditing itself.
She is the creator of a culture-change approach to auditing, which she has used to train thousands of internal auditors around the world. Her model teaches auditors how to:
Align audits with business strategy and performance goals,
Conduct audits that elevate organizational culture and leadership engagement,
Translate audit findings into measurable business outcomes.
Elizabeth is a sought-after keynote speaker, best-selling author, and executive trainer, known for making the complex simple and inspiring auditors to embrace innovation without compromising rigor. With her unique combination of technical AI mastery, deep regulatory knowledge, and decades of field-tested audit experience, Elizabeth is not just teaching the future of auditing—she's helping define it.
Additional Information
TAC Rule 523.142(g) requires the CPE Sponsor to monitor individual attendance and assign the correct number of CPE credits. Participants will be asked to document their time of arrival and departure in compliance with this Rule. Additionally, attendance will be monitored throughout the day and CPE certificates will reflect actual attendance of each participant.
If you are making travel plans to come to Austin, we recommend making "refundable" air and hotel reservations or waiting until 14 days before the class to actually book your reservations. Courses are occasionally canceled or rescheduled due to low enrollment. We determine whether a course has enough participants 16 days prior to the course date. If we cancel or reschedule, we will email the participant and his or her billing contact no later than 14 days before the original class date.
The course coordinator will contact you with parking information. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
Vending machines with Coca-Cola products and various snack items are available. There is also a refrigerator and microwave in our coffee bar area. Feel free to bring in your own drinks and food if you prefer.
You might want to bring a light sweater or jacket, as room temperatures vary.
To see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://www.sao.texas.gov/training/faq.html.