Inside-Out Change Tool

Clean Language

The way a question is asked can determine the kind of statements people make. The words used can be suggestive and the answer is then not authentic. Clean Language is a non-suggestive way of talking.

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The philosophy behind Clean Language is that people have within themselves the ability to heal their own psychological wounds.

The approach was developed by David Grove. He believes that symptoms are unsuccessful attempts by the body and mind to heal itself. The job of a coach therefore is to create the conditions or find the context in which the mind and body can heal itself.

The central idea is that we create our own worlds through language. Language creates the boundaries that stop us from engaging fully or authentically with the world around us - including other people.

Because the context is "out there" the approach is neither client or coach focused. It isn't egocentric in nature, taking the view that the language and its ascribed meaning springs from a complex mix of sources unique to the individual.

What's the approach exactly ?
David Grove describes it as 'homeopathic', in the sense that the best kind of language to hear is the one we use ourselves. The role of the coach is to stimulate internal conversation with a few well chosen questions that then stimulate you to talk to your mind and induce a more controlled, secure and accepting mental state.

Most approaches to coaching see negative thoughts as a source of a person's weakness, and therefore need to be removed. The Clean Language approach encourages people to explore their weaknesses and see them as simply barriers to or protectors of positive thoughts. These positive thoughts will emerge naturally if we allow them to so.

So, questions such as "How do you feel about that ?" restrict the answer to emotional thoughts only. This one-dimensional question leads to one-dimensional thinking, contaminating or restricting a persons response. In other words emotional thoughts may not be the preferred way in which the client perceives the world. They may interpret their world more by what they "see" and "hear" than what they feel.

This is challenging for the coach, but easier for the client, simply because the questions build on the way the client is thinking - not the way the coach is thinking. The coach should be asking themselves - What's the next question the client would really like to be asked ? This means taking a lead from what the client is saying, asking them to explain what they mean.

The intelligence lies between the words.
Both you and your client know it's the right question.
The questions are closely linked to client's last statement.
It doesn't have to be repeated.
The client can always answer the question.
It leads naturally on to other questions.

My clients often say to me, "Steve, I feel more intelligent when I talk to you", or "You have helped me see things more clearly" or "I can hear myself in what you say." The language used is a dead give-away to their preferred thinking and learning style.

Here are sum simple rules to help you coach more effectively...........

Speak in a gentle rhythmic way that reflects the clients style
Avoid using the word "the" - replace it with "your"
Start sentences with the word "and" - not "but"
Use personal pronouns not proper names until the client uses them
Build a past, present and future feel to your questions, to help the client develop their own understanding of "where" they are coming from and to test the coherence of their own thinking, feelings and actions
Pick up on asides, red herrings, under the breath comments idiosyncratic sounds, esoteric utterings, superstitions, favourite phrases, traits, metaphoric expressions, obsessive behaviour, etc.

REMEMBER: There is no such thing as a resistant client. It is more likely that the coach does not know what to do with the client's response.

Using Symbolic Modeling - perception
Symbolic modeling is that repetitive non-verbal communication that we all use to 'talk' to each other and use to 'talk' to ourselves. This kind of behaviour is largely unexplored yet it communicates between the words with great effect.

I use an exercise which I call "Developing your Mind-Space" which requires a group to create a work of art togeter without the use of speech. To achieve the result, the participants have to create a shared "mind-space" where they see, feel and act out their perceptions. The kind of mind-space we create reflects how we make sense of the world and understand our place in it.

When participants enter the room, let them choose where they want to sit and where they want me to sit. They locate themselves where they feel most comfortable and safe. Ask them to share their feelings, inner dialogue and physical surroundings. I explore their "line of sight". What are they wanting to see or avoid ? Where are your trusted friends located? Is it different for men and women ?

After the exercise I ask individuals to describe their "mind-space" using metaphors to explain what they saw, what they felt and what they were saying to themselves. How did they feel about their relationship with others. I ask them to 'locate' themselves in a continuum from reactive to proactive or controlled to controlling.

This exercise helps people gain a clearer understanding of their perceptual space. They can express themselves without words.

Using Symbolic Patterning - metaphor
Symbolic patterning can express itself as body language - facial expressions, idiosynchratic movements, interactions with the body, physical objects, vocal qualities other than words, etc., all carry useful information. They are as symbolic as words and pictures..

The patterns of behaviour reflect what is going on deep inside. Thinking about what it's like for you (a metaphor) can help find an answer. The metaphor provides a vehicle through which to explore deeper feelings, perceptions and mind talk. When we ignore another person's metaphors or induce our own, we unwittingly contaminate their experience. This normally fine, but not in a coaching conversation when you want you client to become aware of the inner symbolic world and the influence it has over the way we think, feel and behave.

You can explore where the mannerisms came from, why you use them now and if they are going to helpful in getting what you want in the future. So you can ask for a metaphor - "and 'X' is like what ?". You can ask for attributes or qualities - "and is their anything else about 'X' ?" Ask for location "and where is 'X' ? You can move time forward "and then what happens" or you can move time back with "and what happens just before 'X' ?

Everything we do has symbolic value in expressing our experience and who we are. It is our way of being in the world and how we make sense of it.

The initial coaching session
In this session it is important to find out what someone wants to change. Ask them to describe their work and listen to the description words, symbolic gestures, metaphors used. Clean language can help the client better understand what exactly they should focus on to improve things for themselves, their boss and their team. What would make a real difference ? What would they expect to see if they were successful ? What possible effect could your actions have on others ? Where do you see yourself fitting into the bigger picture ? How do you assess the value of your contribution ? etc.

You can find a wealth of material on this approach at:
http://www.devco.demon.co.uk