Revealing Metaphors: a Clean-based candidate Liberating Structure

There are a lot of connection points between Liberating Structures and Clean Language, and between their respective communities – both of which are represented within Q. 

These two groups – Liberating Structures in Healthcare and Better Conversations with Clean Language – have come together to host a learning-by-doing session on the Clean-based Liberating Structure ​‘in-development’ Revealing Metaphors, developed by Clean Language practitioner Judy Rees. 

Revealing Metaphors can help people to share their unique way of carrying out an activity – such as doing their work, or attending an event – by combining the revealing power of metaphor with a series of simple interactions. When people are hesitant to engage with each other, for example at the beginning of an event, you can help them to actively feel heard, and create an environment where discovering and sharing rarely-noticed personal talents and insights becomes straightforward. Once participants feel heard by each other and have begun to share, they will be more inclined to trust, to work together, and to take interpersonal risks. And each person will have created an enduring personal image to carry with them and to share with others.

Judy Rees developed Revealing Metaphors in 2024 for potential inclusion on the Liberating Structure website and in a future edition of the book. Since then she has tested it with groups of different sizes within various fields of healthcare. She is keen for people to try it out for themselves with their own communities, groups, teams or workplaces and let her know how it goes. You can read more about the structure and get in touch with Judy on her website. 

Join this session to experience Revealing Metaphors in action. The session will be facilitated by Joanne Appleton from the Clean Language Community of Practice and Maria Dorthea Skov, Community Convener for the Q Community.
 

For updates on future meet ups, join Q’s Liberating Structures in Health Care online group. Maybe you’re planning a session at your own workplace or with any groups you’re part of? The group is open to everyone and is a great place to ask the community for advice and support on any of the Liberating Structures.

This group is for people who have an interest in improving the quality of conversations in health care. Our shared curiosity is around how we can use the deceptively-simple Clean Language approach to improve conversations, enhance understanding and enable better health care.