Clean language: Coaching Instrument for Governing Family Businesses
Introduction
Clean Language, as designed by David Grove during the 1980s, is a coaching technique that helps individuals analyze their thinking through metaphors and with the aid of non-directive questioning. Originally applied in therapy, the technique has been applied in family business leadership with the aim to simplify enhanced communications, leadership transfers, and succession planning (Tompkins & Lawley, 2024).
Clean Language: Why it Works in Family Business Management
Family businesses are prone to decision-making, role conflict, and issues with governance. Traditional questioning, whether leading or direct, doesn't work; using Clean Language, individuals are able to speak about their issues using their own language.
Such as:
An average coach would come up with: "Are you prepared to take up the business?" (which assumes the person must be prepared).
A Clean Language coach might utter: "What does 'taking over the business' look/feel/sound like to you?" (allowing the person to create their own map of meaning).
By the application of unbiased, 'clean' questions, Clean Language identifies underlying issues in governance without outside bias.
The Use of Metaphors in the Government
Metaphors come naturally in the language of business. Their meaning helps leadership better appreciate the issues of governance.
Examples:
"Our boat, as you might guess, has to be skippered by a good skipper." -Is hierarchical leadership the optimal style?
“We're in a maze.” -What would be your emotion when you discover the exit?
By using these metaphors, family business owners are able to learn about the issues regarding governance and their resolutions (BBC Ideas, 2020).
Mini-Coaching Plan Utilizing the 'Clean' Approach
1. Governance Issues – Listen for metaphors and ask non-judgmental, innocuous questions.
2. Enrich Metaphors – Use the Clean Language to expand on the client's history.
Example: "And when meetings are war, what type of war is that?"
3. Enforce Insightfulness – Help the family members review their governance arrangements and resolutions.
4. Summarise & Act on it – Record insights and create governance plans based on their feedback. Conclusion Clean Language is a simple yet powerful family business governance facilitatory tool. The family members are led by the observation of metaphor and the use of open-ended questioning to develop an understanding about governance arrangements and resolve conflicts collaboratively.