Clean at Work John Barratt and Sarah Baca

"Episode 16: Transforming Leadership Through Language - A Conversation with David Marquet"
Description:
Welcome to Episode 16 of "Clean At Work," where we are honoured to host David Marquet, an esteemed figure in leadership and organizational transformation. David, a former submarine commander and the author of "Turn the Ship Around" and "Leadership Is Language," shares his profound insights on the impact of language in leadership and decision-making.
In this enlightening episode, David delves into the concepts of 'red work' and 'blue work' from his latest book, explaining how these frameworks can revolutionize leadership and organizational dynamics. He shares anecdotes from his time commanding the USS Santa Fe, illustrating how shifting language structures on the submarine led to remarkable outcomes.
David also touches on his accidental discovery of clean language during his research and how it aligns with his leadership philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of moving away from coercive language patterns and adopting a more inclusive and exploratory approach to communication.
Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on the subtle power of language in shaping decision-making processes and fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment. David offers practical advice on avoiding binary questions, embracing probabilistic thinking, and fostering a safe environment for sharing ideas within an organization.
Join us for this captivating discussion with David Marquet and discover how you can implement nuanced language strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness and drive positive change in your organization.
About the Speaker David Marquet
 Student of leadership and organizational design, former nuclear submarine commander, and named one of the Top 100 Leadership Speakers by Inc. Magazine. David is the Author of the Amazon #1 Best Seller: Turn the Ship Around!, and The Turn the Ship Around Workbook.  David’s latest book, Leadership is Language, is a Wall Street Journal Bestseller and Financial Times Book of the Month selection.
David imagines a workplace where everyone engages and contributes their full intellectual capacity, a place where people are healthier and happier because they have more control over their work–a place where everyone is a leader.
links: Here’s the new playbook for leaders, Leadership is Language. [US]
https://bookshop.org/p/books/leadership-is-language-the-hidden-power-of-what-you-say-and-what-you-don-t-l-david-marquet/12084546?ean=9780735217539
A free asset for you and your team are our leadership nudges. Marquet simplifies the concepts and mechanisms from the books into 1-minute bite-sized pieces on our YouTube channel because the reminders help people. It's called "Leadership Nudges" and we invite you and your team to subscribe.
http://www.youtube.com/c/LeadershipNudges
About the Hosts
John Barratt (https://www.agileaffinity.com/) is passionate about empowering individuals, teams, and organisations to reach their full potential. Utilising a blend of agile techniques infused with the agile mindset, he is dedicated to helping organisations streamline, self-organise, and adapt to today's dynamic business environment. John's approach is deeply influenced by the systemic modelling skills he acquired from Caitlin Walker, which he continuously refines through ongoing training. His work primarily focuses on guiding organisations through the process of descaling and fostering a culture of self-organisation. Learn more about John's work at Agile Affinity.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarratt1/
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 organisations as an agile coach for over a decade, specialising in enterprise and leadership coaching. 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjbaca/

Welcome to Episode 15 of "Clean at Work," where we dive into clean language's practical applications and transformative power in agile coaching with our esteemed guest, Claudia Orozco-Gomez. Claudia, an experienced agile coach with a rich background in facilitating organisational change, shares her journey and insights into how clean language has become an integral part of her coaching toolkit.
In this episode, Claudia discusses her clean language approach, emphasising its role in removing personal biases and fostering more inclusive and effective team communication. She highlights the importance of being "cleanish" in her work, adapting clean language techniques to fit the context and needs of the teams and organisations she works with.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into Claudia's development of facilitation tools inspired by clean language principles, particularly her use of the "Facilitation Fishing Circle." This tool aids in clarifying team discussions, ensuring that conversations remain focused and productive by systematically exploring related facts and options.
Claudia also shares her experiences with cultural and organisational biases, offering tips on recognising and addressing these biases to improve communication and decision-making across distributed teams. Her unique perspective as an American living in France adds depth to the discussion on navigating cultural differences within global organisations.
The conversation also covers Claudia's growth through clean language, revealing how it has helped her become more aware of her biases and the impact of her energy and presence in facilitation and coaching sessions.
This episode is a must-listen for agile coaches, facilitators, and anyone interested in enhancing their communication and coaching skills through the principles of clean language. Join us for an engaging discussion with Claudia Orasco Gomez and discover how clean language can support agile transformation and foster more effective teamwork and organisational change.
About the Speaker Claudia Orozco-Gomez
Claudia Orozco-Gomez helps people work better together, on products and teams. She works with them to define what “better” means and then takes it from there through a mix of pragmatism and experimentation. 
 

Recently turned independent, Claudia works as an Agile Coach with teams of teams. A generalist practitioner and self-proclaimed Agile ancillary enthusiast, she loves working with humans to help them discover what works best for them in their context, drawing on different practices and tools, including clean-ish conversations.
 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiaog/
About the Hosts
John Barratt (https://www.agileaffinity.com/) is passionate about empowering individuals, teams, and organisations to reach their full potential. Utilising a blend of agile techniques infused with the agile mindset, he is dedicated to helping organisations streamline, self-organise, and adapt to today's dynamic business environment. John's approach is deeply influenced by the systemic modelling skills he acquired from Caitlin Walker, which he continuously refines through ongoing training. His work primarily focuses on guiding organisations through the process of descaling and fostering a culture of self-organisation. Learn more about John's work at Agile Affinity.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarratt1/
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 organisations as an agile coach for over a decade, specialising in enterprise and leadership coaching. 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahjbaca/

Welcome to Episode 14 of "Clean at Work," where we delve into the fusion of clean language with strategic thinking. Our esteemed guest this week is Mike Burrows, founder of AgendaShift, renowned for his innovative approach to integrating clean language into strategic conversations.
In this episode, Mike shares his insights on how clean language can revolutionize strategy-related discussions in technology organizations and beyond. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on outcomes before rushing to solutions, highlighting how this approach saves time and fosters more inclusive, effective conversations.
Mike walks us through his "ideal obstacles outcomes" principle, which aligns with systemic modelling techniques. This method encourages exploring the ideal scenario first, then addressing multiple obstacles, creating a more holistic view of the challenges and opportunities. Mike's approach underscores the value of rich, outcome-oriented conversations with diverse voices and perspectives.
The discussion also touches upon the practical application of clean language in Mike's facilitated work, including his famous "Fifteen-Minute FOTO" game. This game is a brilliant example of how clean language can be used in a structured yet flexible way to generate meaningful outcomes and strategies.
Mike's insights extend beyond mere technique, delving into the nuances of leadership, organizational discourse, and the transformational impact of clean language on workplace communication. He shares his experiences with coaching, the challenges of integrating new tools into established practices, and the importance of respecting the client's mental model.
As the conversation unfolds, Mike and our hosts explore the dynamic relationship between problems, obstacles, outcomes, and the broader context of strategic thinking. This episode offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in enhancing their strategic conversations with clean language, from agile coaches to business leaders.
Join us for this enlightening discussion with Mike Burrows, where we uncover the synergies between clean language and strategic thought, providing listeners with actionable insights to implement in their workplaces.
The game discussed in the podcast can be found here: https://www.agendashift.com/resources/15-minute-foto
About the Speaker
Mike Burrows is the author of Agendashift: Outcome-oriented Change and continuous transformation (2nd edition March 2021), Right to Left: The digital leader's guide to Lean and Agile (2019, audiobook 2020), and the Lean-Agile classic Kanban from the Inside (2014). Mike is recognized for his pioneering work in Lean, Agile, and Kanban and for his advocacy for participatory and outcome-oriented approaches to change, transformation, and strategy. 
Prior to his consulting career, he was global development manager and Executive Director at a top tier investment bank, CTO for an energy risk management startup, and interim delivery manager for two of the UK government's digital 'exemplar' projects. Through Agendashift and the Agendashift Academy, his focus now is on wholehearted, deliberately adaptive organizations and the transformational leadership that enables them.
About the Hosts:
John Barratt (https://www.agileaffinity.com/) loves seeing individuals, teams, and organizations 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 organizations to descale and self-organize, 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. 

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. 
 

Welcome to Episode 12 of "Clean at Work," where we dive into the transformative power of clean language in agile coaching with our guest, Tom Hoyland. A self-described broad-spectrum agile coach, Tom shares his journey of integrating clean language into his practice to enhance team dynamics and individual coaching sessions.
In this episode, Tom discusses his innovative "Facilitation Fishing Circle" tool, born from his experiences and collaborations at Agile Coach Camp. This tool, designed for simplicity and effectiveness, helps teams and individuals clarify their conversations, focusing on the central topic and exploring related facts and options. Tom explains how this method enables teams to stay on track, avoiding distractions and fostering a more connected and coherent dialogue.
Tom's passion for clean language shines through as he describes its ability to remove personal biases and allow the natural dynamics of a team to surface. He emphasises the importance of clean language in creating a space for teams to authentically express their needs and challenges.
Listeners will also hear about Tom's experiences at Agile Coach Camp, where he refined his approach to clean language and facilitation. The camp provided a unique environment for deep learning and collaboration, contributing significantly to Tom's professional development.
This episode is a testament to the impact of clean language in agile coaching and an inspiration for agile coaches and facilitators looking to incorporate clean methodologies into their work. Join us in this enlightening conversation with Tom Highlander and discover how clean language can be a game-changer in your agile coaching toolkit.
About the Speaker
Work with Tom: https://linktr.ee/thatagilethat agile: https://www.thatagile.com/Facilitation Fishing Circle: https://github.com/tomhoyland/fishing-circle
About the Hosts:
John Barratt (https://www.agileaffinity.com/) loves seeing individuals, teams, and organizations 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 organizations to descale and self-organize, 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. 

In this episode of Clean @ Work, Sarah and John speak with their mentor and friend Dr. Caitlin Walker, Director of Clean Learning (https://cleanlearning.co.uk/). Dr. Walker explains what clean interviewing is, the difference between clean language and clean interviewing, the value of clean interviewing, and what makes clean interviewing different from other interviewing. 
Caitlin is the developer of Systemic Modelling and author of From Contempt to Curiosity. She is equally at home sharing her ideas with large audiences, facilitating change in small groups and doing deep one-to-one therapy.
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 organisation to descale and self-organise relying heavily on the Systemic Modelling skills he learnt 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.