Episode 13: The Dance of Clean Language – Balancing Inquiry and Sensitivity in the Workplace with Sarah Scarratt

Welcome to Episode 12 of the "Clean@Work" podcast, a must-listen for anyone intrigued by the nuanced application of clean language in professional settings. In this engaging episode, we're delighted to host Sarah Scarratt, a distinguished Systemic Modeling Master who brings a wealth of experience and insight to our discussion.

Sarah dives deep into the practicalities and boundaries of using clean language at work. She shares enlightening experiences, from humorous anecdotes about the unexpected consequences of deep questioning during a ramble to the profound lessons learned in grief and bereavement counselling. Her stories highlight the importance of context and appropriateness when employing clean language techniques.

Furthermore, Sarah touches on the concept of 'contracting' – seeking permission and acknowledging the relationship context before diving into clean language questioning. This conversation illuminates the subtle art of balancing inquiry with sensitivity, especially in informal or emotionally charged discussions.

The episode takes an exciting turn as Sarah relates clean language to the world of agile coaching, drawing parallels with the concept of 'dancing in the moment'. This metaphor beautifully encapsulates the fluidity and responsiveness required in both disciplines.

Sarah's journey into the realms of grief counselling and suicide prevention adds a poignant layer to the discussion, prompting reflections on the deeper roles coaches and facilitators can play in supporting mental health in the workplace.

As we wrap up, Sarah leaves us with thought-provoking insights on how clean language shapes our worldview, enhancing our understanding of neurodiversity and individual uniqueness. She offers a glimpse into her upcoming projects, including intriguing research on sustainable change in leadership.

This episode is not just a conversation; it explores the delicate dance between asking the right questions and respecting the emotional landscape of our colleagues and clients. It's a compelling listen for coaches, facilitators, and anyone interested in the transformative power of clean language in the workplace.

About the speaker:

Sarah is a certified Coach, Mentor and Trainer, specialising in Clean Language and Systemic Modelling.  She loves to get curious about how people ‘tick’, and delights helping people to get curious about their own selves, in a non-judgmental way.  Gently revealing layers until we find treasure. Or trash, in which case, we can throw it out!

Sarah has run her own business for 20 years and has a depth of experience in recruitment and training, small business management as well as a variety of other roles such as teaching and end of life counselling. 

About the Presenters:

John Barratt (https://www.agileaffinity.com/) loves seeing individuals, teams, and organisations become the best they can be. He does this using a mixture of coaching approaches embedded with the agile mindset. John spends most of his time supporting organisations to descale and self-organise, relying heavily on the systemic modelling skills he learned through his ongoing training from Caitlin Walker.

Sarah Baca (http://www.nerdyknights.com/) is a coach, therapist, facilitator, and teacher who has a passion for using clean language to help others discover what makes them feel vibrantly alive. She has been working with organizations as an agile coach for over a decade, specializing in enterprise and leadership coaching.