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relationship-buildingAvanzado

Clean Language

Clean Language is a precise questioning technique developed by therapist David Grove in the 1980s. Facilitators use a small set of carefully worded, non-interpretive questions — such as 'And when X, what happens next?' — to help participants surface and examine their own metaphors and implicit assumptions. It is ideal for deep coaching conversations, conflict resolution, and uncovering the true nature of complex problems without contaminating responses with the facilitator's own worldview.

Duración
30m–2h
Tamaño del grupo
2–20 people
Materiales
quiet space, optional: paper and pens for note-taking, question prompt cards (optional)

Cómo ejecutarlo

  1. 1

    Brief participants on the purpose: the facilitator's role is to illuminate the participant's own thinking, not to interpret or lead.

  2. 2

    Start with an open question to invite a topic: 'What would you like to have happen?' or 'What's important to you about this challenge?'

  3. 3

    Listen carefully for the participant's exact words and any metaphors they use (e.g., 'I feel stuck in a corner').

  4. 4

    Respond using only Clean Language questions, staying strictly within the participant's own vocabulary: 'And when you're stuck in a corner, what kind of corner is that corner?' or 'And what happens just before you feel stuck?'

  5. 5

    Continue exploring the metaphoric landscape with questions such as: 'And where is X?', 'And what's X like?', 'And when X, what happens to Y?', 'And what would you like to have happen?'

  6. 6

    Allow the participant to arrive at their own insights and reframings — resist the urge to offer solutions, interpretations, or advice.

  7. 7

    Close by asking the participant to summarise what they have discovered and what, if anything, they want to do differently.

Consejos

  • The key discipline is resisting the impulse to paraphrase or interpret.

  • Use the participant's exact words, even if they sound unusual.

  • Practice the core questions until they feel natural — beginners often find a laminated prompt card helpful.

  • In group settings, pairs work better than triads so everyone gets significant speaking time.

Variaciones

Group Clean Language: one facilitator works with a small group, asking clean questions publicly so everyone can observe and learn the process simultaneously. Can be combined with Systemic Modelling for team-level work. In coaching circles, participants take turns as questioner and explorer.

Casos de uso

Executive coaching and leadership developmentConflict resolution and mediationUncovering root assumptions in complex problem-solvingUser research and in-depth customer interviewsFacilitator skill development and reflective practice

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cuándo debo usar Clean Language?▾

Usa Clean Language cuando quieras: Executive coaching and leadership development; Conflict resolution and mediation; Uncovering root assumptions in complex problem-solving; User research and in-depth customer interviews; Facilitator skill development and reflective practice.

¿Cuánto tiempo tarda Clean Language?▾

Clean Language normalmente dura entre 30 y 120 minutos.

¿Para cuántos participantes es Clean Language?▾

Clean Language funciona mejor para grupos de 2–20 participantes.

¿Qué materiales necesito para Clean Language?▾

Para realizar Clean Language necesitarás: quiet space, optional: paper and pens for note-taking, question prompt cards (optional).

¿Qué tan difícil es facilitar Clean Language?▾

Clean Language está clasificado como avanzado — se recomienda un facilitador experimentado.

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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from David Grove / Caitlin Walker.

Clean Language — Facilitation Method | Workshop Weaver