Useful Metaphors for Clean Language

Question 1

Lazy Jedi Question

Answer 1

• 80/20 of clean questions
• What kind of X(is that X)
• Is there anything else about X

Question 2

Power Switch Question

Answer 2

And when <their problem, in their words>, what would you like to have happened instead? Emphasize the word ‘like’

People come to you with negative state(upset, very demanding attitude, problems, moaning, complaining)

Listen to their answer. Have they actually said what they would like? If not, repeat the question

Question 3

Feeling to metaphor

Answer 3

• Person A mentions a feeling(ideally positive!)
• Person B asks:
  . What kind of X?
  . Is there anything else about X?
  . Whereabouts is X?
  . Does it have a size or a shape? (specialized CLQ)
  . And when that’s <feature> and <feature>, it's like... what? <feature> = Metaphorical words, adjectives. Not conceptual words</feature></feature></feature>
• Person B’s aim is to elicit a drawable metaphor for the emotion - not to change it
• Note : When a person has already given you a metaphor, you can omit the last question and go into the 2LJQ

Question 4

Dark side process

Answer 4

• Briefly explore current/undesired situation cleanly - 1-3 questions max(Potentially get into metaphor)
• Ask power switch question
  . And when <problem>, what would you like to have happen?</problem>
• Did they give desired outcome?
  . If yes, ask clarifying questions about it
  . If no, try again!
  . Easier to do in metaphor

Question 5

Goal setting process

Answer 5

1. In relation to using Clean in a change process, what would you like to have happen?
2. Clarifying questions:
   . What kind of X?
   . Is there anything else about X?
   . Where is X?
   . Is there a relationship between X and Y? -> X and Y can be 2 different things from 1

• Can be used for other than clean as well. Goal setting process. If you use it as a short time goal, you are much more
• Time frame(short like a week) : Much likely to put it into practice. If you have an audacious goals, it is hard to know the details it requires to get there

Question 6

When you don’t know what to ask

Answer 6

. And when all of that, what would you like to have happened?
. What would you like to have happened now/next
. And when all of that, what are you drawn to
. And when all of that, where are you now in relation to <outcome>
. DONT ASK "Is there anything else?"</outcome>

Question 7

Clean syntax

Answer 7

“And… [client’s words],
and when…[some of client’s words],
[Clean Language Question with some of client’s words]?”