Know your own system

Being able to recognise your thoughts, beliefs, patterns, metaphors, experiences, et cetera enough to know they are yours.

Distinguish evidence from inference

Being able to observe and distinguish between what is happening and what you (or others) are inferring. Using the knowledge of your own system and that of others you should be able to know where they come from; are they factual observations? Or are they coming from your own or someone else’s system.

Be naturally curious

We can use our curiosity to find out things and to check our inferences before they become an assumption. This is a skill and can be trained by asking questions and discovering that things are quite often not as we initially thought.

Actively manage your state

State management is a skill and by applying the skills listed above we can discover new ways of getting ourselves in a good state. Keeping us there and returning ourselves in a good state when we get knocked out of it.

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Feedback is key

When people think about feedback they might think about serious or difficult conversations where they learn that they have done things wrong or at least not completely as it should be. Or they might think of excessive amounts of praise. Or perhaps you think of a dashboard of some kind that shows some kind of indicator, like green for everything if okay and red when you need to pay attention.

And they are all right, feedback can be any of those things and more. It’s how we handle feedback, what we do with the information presented that will be helpful for us. Are you getting feedback that helps you learn and grow? If not we might be able to help you in discovering ways of making feedback more valuable for you.

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Clean Language Interviewing

We gather information all the time in various ways and for endless different reasons. Clean Language Interviewing is used to elicit information for a specific purpose. Like a conventional interview we ask questions in order to get information and we do this in such a way that we do not contaminate the data with our own. By using Clean and Cleanish Questions we can get all the information that can be provided within the (limited) time we have.

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What does Language have to do with it?

Any change starts with finding out where you are now. If we do not know where we stand, we won’t be able to head in the right direction. To find out where you are now and where you want to go, you’ll have to elicit information from yourself and others. When we don’t start the conversation, we will end up guessing and assuming where we are or where we’re heading.

There is a second reason why language is important. Besides a tool for communication, it is also a tool to actively prime our own system and that of others. By using the appropriate words, metaphors and models we can get a better understanding of where we are and where we are going. We will be able to set up the context that is needed for change to be possible.

What would you like to have happen?

By asking this of yourself and others we can start the conversation. We can find out what it is we want, clearly communicate it and find out what is possible. By having better conversations and using language more effectively we can support ourselves – and others – to be at our best more of the time.

This question also supports change as it doesn’t force any direction and elicits the intrinsic direction of change. It provides a safe and open space that can be filled with words that will help shape the future. In Clean Coaching (Symbolic Modelling) we use this question to find out what it is that someone wants to have instead of what they have now.

How can we use language more effectively?

By using Clean Language and its different applications. By being curious to what is happening now and holding your inferences lightly, you can check to see if you have understood correctly without impacting the conversation in a negative way. By being an equal opportunity employer you will create a space where everyone and everything can be heard. You can start to unpack drama, learn to speak the unspeakable and become skillful conversationalists.

So join us in changing the your world, by changing your language. By cleaning up your language you will find the boundaries of where you end and others start. With curiosity you’ll be able to accept and extend what is now, and help shape what will be.

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Reduce waste by improving State Management

Where a lot of people struggle is managing their own state. When we’re having a conversation with other people like our colleague, manager, direct reports, our partner, children, friends and family, we infer or assume and get in an emotional state where we are unable to discern between what we think is going on and what is actually happening. This leads to a lot of issues in our lives.

In organisations these issues cost a lot of money in wasted time, effort and energy. If we are better able to manage our own state and support others to do the same, this waste can be avoided. We can collaborate at our best and reduce stress.

In general there are 4 key principles and associated skills that help to do this.

Read about the 4 key principles

What we have to offer

We offer different ways of improving your state management, communication and collaboration skills. We provide corporate and public workshops, mini-courses, training and coaching. We work with individuals one-on-one and groups alike. If you’d like to know more please contact us. We’re happy to find out what you’d like to have happen next.

Better Conversations in Organisations

This training focuses on small effective ways to improve your conversations. It consists of 6 modules: State, Assumptions, Context, Listening with Curiosity, Feedback and applying what you’ve learned.

Visit BCIO website

Feedback is key

There is a lot to find and say about feedback. One thing most people seem to agree on is that it is of vital importance for good communication and collaboration. That’s why we offer a practical interactive training for you and your team to find out how you provide high quality feedback to one another.

Clean Language Interviewing

We have interviews in countless settings and ways. It’s our primary way of gathering information. So what happens when the data isn’t trustworthy, when it’s influenced by our own biases, inference and context.

Facilitating systemic change

It is our aim to provide (corporate) training and coaching that will enable you to make lasting (systemic) change. We help you by eliciting what is needed from yourself and others that you interact with. We believe that the answer to better collaboration lies within the system of individuals that are collaborating.

Curious to find out how?

Book an appointment

Why language matters

We use language to rely information and it requires some training and attention to apply it effectively, but why is it so important?

Read about why

Know your own system

Distinguish evidence from inference

Be naturally curious

Actively manage your state

Feedback is key

Clean Language Interviewing

What does Language have to do with it?

What would you like to have happen?

How can we use language more effectively?

Reduce waste by improving State Management

What we have to offer

Better Conversations in Organisations

Feedback is key

Clean Language Interviewing

Facilitating systemic change

Why language matters

[email protected]

+31 (0)6 46 15 81 20