There are only a handful of things compelling enough to get me up in the middle of the night by choice. Over the years, they've been alpine starts for big adventures, avalanche control mornings back when I ski patrolled, and more recently, motherhood.
In the last year, I've added another one: training with Caitlin Walker (PhD) and Marian Way on using Clean Language to facilitate change in individuals and groups.
Quick primer: Clean uses very simple questions like "What kind of ___?" and "where is ___?" to help us better understand ourselves and each other.
The method is so effective, I'll wake at 4 or 5 a.m. to train, which is midday in the UK, where Caitlin and Marian live.
I've used Clean to help reduce misunderstanding and improve collaboration, with astonishing results. And last week, I had a profound experience being on the other side, as a member of a group facilitated by Blake Cason, MS. That conversation shifted how I see myself — right there in the moment — which has in turn shifted how I'm engaging with the world.
I'm back at it this morning for a session with Caitlin on using Clean in strategy development, following along in a real-time engagement with a large international NGO.
I know not everyone is into alpine starts for continuing education. And at the same time, I don't want to be the only one in my community with these tools.
That's why Erin Randall and I are bringing Caitlin to Bozeman in April (and maybe Blake, too!) for a three-day, in-person training. I'll share a link below to learn more and register.
We want others to have these powerful skills and tools, and we want to create a community of practice in the states and in Montana.
I'll be writing about this more in the months to come. Please reach out with any questions.
Photos from an alpine start in Argentine Patagonia. New Years Day, 2013.
