Talking Clean or Talking Dirty?
I wrote over 12 months ago about the benefits of using ‘Clean language’ in coaching conversations, so what about talking ‘Dirty’?
First things first, what do I mean by talking Dirty? Well, if clean language in no way pre-supposes an answer, then talking dirty is purposefully driving an agenda/suggestion/solution.
In John Whitmore’s coaching text ‘Coaching for Performance’ one of the suggested questions under the ‘GROW’ model was “Do you want to log the steps in your diary?” A perfectly valid question, yet ‘dirty’. The seed of expected behaviour is being firmly planted in the mind of the coachee.
So what is best, clean or dirty language?
The answer is of course– it depends. It depends on what is your desired outcome or intention is in asking the question. They both add value to the coaching conversation.
The real skill as a coach is to know when you want to talk clean or talk dirty and to flex to get the best outcome for the coachee.
If you would like to know more then contact me on annie@quantumdp.com, or call 07855 773261.
Annie x