This document discusses using clean language to have more effective conversations. It defines metaphors and notes that people use an average of 6 metaphors per minute in speech. Contaminating metaphors can distort understanding, so questions are recommended to clarify metaphors without assumptions, such as "What kind of X is that X?". Developing open questions is suggested to understand perspectives without judgment. Clean language techniques can be practiced in pairs and with groups to understand different views on topics. The brain and thinking are multi-dimensional, involving the head, heart and gut.

1. Brain Talk
More effective conversations
through clean language
Mike Bowler
@mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

2. Better questions lead to
better thinking
… or to thinking at all
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

3. Metaphor
dictionary.com
noun
1. a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to
which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance
2. something used, or regarded as being used, to represent something else
That story
sent chills down
my spine
My head was
exploding with
new ideas
I have a lot of
bananas
I’ve been
struggling with this
problem
The band is on
fire tonight
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

4. Metaphor frequency
We average about six
metaphors a minute
A study of metaphor use in interviews, essays and speeches determined that
speakers “use about an average of 1.8 novel and 4.08 frozen figures per minute”
- Pollio et al 1977
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

5. Contaminating Metaphors
That story
sent chills down
my spine Tell me more
about how you were
scared
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018
!!

6. What kind of X (is that X)?
That story
sent chills down
my spine
What kind of
chills?
What kind of
chills are those
chills?
or
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

7. Lazy Jedi Questions
“What kind of X (is that X)?”
“Is there anything else about X?”
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

8. Practice in pairs
Ask your partner: “When you’re
performing at your best, you’re
like what?”
“What kind of X (is that X)?”
“Is there anything else about X?”
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

9. Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018
Nonverbals

10. Developing Questions
• “What kind of X (is that X)?”
• “Is there anything else about X?”
• “Where is X? or (And) whereabouts is X?”
• “Is there a relationship between X and Y?”
• “When X, what happens to Y?”
• “That’s X like what?”
Sequence and Source
• “Then what happens?”
• “What happens just before X?”
• “Where could X come from?”
Intention Questions
• “What would X like to have happen?”
• “What needs to happen for X?”
• “Can X (happen)?”
Practice in
pairs
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

11. Long Syntax
And [client’s words]
and when/as [client’s words]
[clean question]?
“And you felt like you were spiralling
out of control and when you were
spiralling out of control, what kind of
spiralling was that?”
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

12. Power Switch
“And when X, what would you like
to have happen?”
X could be multiple metaphors in this case.
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

13. (c) Roderick Eime

14. Using Clean with Groups
For each topic, talking to one
person at a time:
• “… is like what?”
• Unpack with clean, then
• “Who’s not like that? Who has
something different?”
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

15. What is a brain?
• Large numbers of neurons and ganglia, including sensory
neurons and motor neurons
• Neural cells with inter-neurons; neurons re-entrantly
interconnecting with other neurons
• Support cells and components such as glial cells,
astrocytes, proteins, etc.
• Functional attributes: perceiving/assimilating
information, processing information, memory storage
and access
• Able to mediate complex reflexes via an intrinsic
nervous system
• A chemical warehouse of neurotransmitters
Source: Using Your Multiple Brains to do Cool Stuff
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

16. We have (at least) three brains
Head - cephalic brain
Heart - cardiac brain
Gut - enteric brain
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018

17. We have (at least) three brains
Head - Self talk / imagery
Heart - Values
Gut - Action
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018
“What/how are you thinking?”
“What’s most important?
“What’s the next step?”

18. More questions?
I’m here all day plus…
mbowler@GargoyleSoftware.com
www.GargoyleSoftware.com
www.UnconsciousAgile.com
Twitter: @mike_bowler
Mike Bowler @mike_bowler #TOAgile2018