Language + Images = Clarity and Depth

Our language is full of rich imagery. When people talk about something they care deeply about, their words often include images. Martha Bean is adept at hearing, acknowledging, and honoring those she works with. She does this by using the word-and-image pictures people employ to illustrate what they are thinking. The power of pictures is that it they can, indeed, replace '1000 words' and become an efficient and universal communication tool. Imagery can be clear and deeply nuanced at the same time; and it can be extremely useful in forwarding dialog, discussion and resolution.

Click here to view Image Gallery, or click on a thumbnail below.

"Darn it! Don't blame it on me! I am tied to the ground by the regulations I am committed to enforce! I don't see how I have any flexibility!"

These were the words of a frustrated civil servant as he was verbally pummeled by others sitting at the negotiating table. All those seated were working hard in a collaborative setting to forge an agreement on the siting of a needed facility. All parties at the table had come up with a solution that could work for everyone - except the regulator. The civil servant was immediately seen as intransigent - that's when he let fly with his tied to the ground metaphor. As he spoke, Martha drew his metaphorical image.

Without any more words, this act of drawing refocusing the anger around the table to picture, and generated a degree of light-heartedness and empathy. The picture allowed people to ask "What things might any of us do to loose the chains, or work within them?" Immediately, participants came up with a wide variety of ideas in a spirit of energetic concern and collegiality.

Ultimately, several of these ideas born of a metaphor were incorporated into the final agreement.