What's Clean Language -uncovering the TRUTH of our subjective experience
Clean language is a way of asking questions to avoid misunderstandings and making assumptions. Metaphors play a key part in the way that we speak to each other and research shows that we use about 6 per minute...which works great if we all work from the same metaphor hymn sheet - there's another metaphor. Metaphors can be overt or more subtle.
The problem is that we don't all interpret metaphors in the sameway. So rather than make assumptions - challenge them and ask questions!
The psychological background of this is the work of David Grove, (deceased),
who pioneered the ground breaking technique of Clean Language while working with trauma victims during the 1980s. He discovered that patients would often speak in metaphor when describing their pain and that the most effective way of alleviating the effects was to honour their metaphors by asking open questions which reflected the patient's exact words. This meant he avoided "leading the witness".
Over a period of years, David identified 9 questions that would least influence the client in their metaphorical journey, and he gave this process the name, "Clean Language". The technique was observed by therapists Penny Tompkins and James Lawley, who devoted the next 3 years to modelling David's techniques into a methodology that could be taught to and practised by others, not only in therapy but also in business, healthcare and education.
Six ways to use Clean Language questions in everyday work situations.
1. When collecting information about the style and needs of a patient, colleague, new or existing client, so that you understand the style with which they want to be communicated with.
Ask: What kind of X ( x being their words), is that X?
Is there anything else about that X?
in any order, as many times as you like
2. When someone has an issue that they want to talk through with you. Clean questions may be all they need to work out this issue for themselves.
Ask: What would you like to have happen?
What kind of X are you talking about?
Is there anything else about (that X)?
And when X, then what happens?
in any order, as many times as you like
3. When you are not sure what someone means. Rather than assuming a meaning, check using a question.
Ask: Is there anything else about that X ?
Where or whereabouts is that X?
What kind of X is that X?
In any order as many times as you like.
4. When you want to delegate and encourage independent thinking and working.
Ask:What would you like to have happen with this project?
What needs to happen for X to happen?
And can X happen?
5. To gather outcomes at the beginning of an action learning set, teaching session, or workshop.
Ask: what would you like to have happen today?
What kind of X is that X?
What's important to you about X?
Is there anything else about X?
6. When coaching to devise an action plan in relation to any goal. Ask:
What would you like to have happen?
What kind of X (is that X)?
Is there anything else about that (X)?
What needs to happen for X (to happen)?
And can X happen?
In any order that seems to make sense in the context, and as many times as you like.
It's not just active listening or paraphrasing that's needed for this - this is more like "parrot phrasing". The purpose is not so much to demonstrate understanding but to help people to understand for themselves so that they can do what they need to do - how empowering is that?
And what difference has knowing all of that made?