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My first introduction to Clean Language, now so well defined by Metaphors in Mind, by James Lawley and Penny Tomkins, was
at Mars.
When we went off to learn how to play tennis for a week. A fun thing todo, but not what we were normally paid to do. So with some amusement we went to Wales for the week.
Clean Coaching in Sport turned out to be the subject in question, and how could we apply it in our specific areas of management. It was a lot of fun and good clean fun at that.
We witnessed a friend who had never played tennis before, learn from a rather dubious start, to serve a tennis ball at high
speed accurately into the appropriate box in 15 minutes. We were very impressed! Admit ably he could play squash.
The key to his learning so fast was fairly simple:-
1/ The coach stayed very clean and never unless asked, told the student what todo, or how todo it. This left the students mind
clear to think for himself about what he wanted to try. But she did encourage the student to think through what he was trying todo, by asking simple, clean questions.
2/ The coach asked simple short questions, such as 'How did that feel?' 'Is there anything you would like to change?'
With the result that the student's mind remained focused on what he already knew and from there he was able to build his knowledge and body movement picture base from his existing comfort zone.
3/ Technical coaching was kept as simple as possible, with mind pictures, to practise in ones own head, before trying it for real. This employs the power of visualisation for practise.
4/ It was very permission based and Listening oriented from the coach to the student. This encouraged the student, without
scaring or driving the student. Very like what one has to do, to train horses or employee's.
5/ The student or coachee, can brainstorm freely around what may work for them. As we all know there is in theory a best
way to serve a tennis ball, BUT no two people do it exactly the same. So for that theory to work, in all things we end mixing best practise with what works for ourself, the individual.
This is the opposite of overloading the student with too much information. Something that it is all too easy todo. Especially
when practising. For when practising, the name of the game is a simple picture of what one is doing, that enables the student
to get what works into his muscles, or into his sub-conscience and body systems. If you look at my Clean Healing it is the
same game of talking to ones inner self, or inner horse. In a simple manner that enables ones own self to remain in control
and effective and comfortable. The result is to expand ones Comfort Zone with minimal stress and fear.
So where does this fit into bossing people or what ever around????
Good relations as we all try hard to get in our muscles, is about listening and finding appropriate moments to get across any
valid points one needs to make. Not always easy todo. Hence a variety of techniques have grown up, some of which weren't
taught in the text books of my youth. Luckily these days they are around in abundance.
The lesson of above was to really orient us managers of others into listening mode and let people develop their own ideas on
how to do their job. Something that they were often best at anyway. We already did a lot of that, with people writing their
own appraisals and objectives, then agreeing them with their manager/boss noooo COACH.
In direct line management terms, getting agreement and motivation is easier and more fun, via the listening route, although I
have to warn you. Stopping telling the student, or beginner how it's done can be difficult!
When we transferred this to some standard management situations, we moved from developing an understanding of the
current situation, via questions. The current situation, can include the past, present and current plans for the future.
Then one can brainstorm around those points, with low judgement and clean questions. That is open questions, with low directional input. As done above in the tennis coaching e.g.
Dirty questions are one's that control or take over the person, one is talking to. All good salesmen, know that
questions tend to by pass the conscience mind and hammer straight into one's sub conscience, thereby tending to take
control of others. Great if you want to make someone do something, or buy the upgrade etc. But very Bossy and rather stressful for the receiver.
Having adopted a coaching style, people are able to take control of their own job, agree and be assured that their boss, will or
I should say line manager, have their best interests at heart. Important to build trust. Also very important, if people are to expand their comfort zones and enjoy their jobs.
NOT THAT DIRTY CAN'T BE FUN!
Dirty Conscience !!!
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