Solution Focus

Problem Talk creates Problems,
Solution Talk creates Solutions.
Steve de Shazer

What is Solution Focused Coaching?

 

One definition of Solution Focus is “putting positive differences to work”.  Accordingly, in SF Coaching conversations, we use a combination of tools exploring the what is working in clients’ lives and how they can do more of that. It is about conversations that explore in detail the desired state of the coachee rather than the problematic situation and its origins. The concept behind this line of working with coaching topics is that "what led to a problem, doesn't necessarily lead to its solution". We often find ourselves becoming experts in why we have a problem but this doesn't add much to doing something about it. Our experience shows that focusing conversations on the Desired Future and looking at the constructive parts of the past empowers the coachee, is more efficient and is also briefer. 
 
Solution Focus was originally developed in the context of therapy, by the family therapists Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer. Through their research for a method that would bring results in a short period of time they devised a model of questions and a new therapeutic approach which is called Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Today, SF is applied to coaching and consulting, arbitration, management and more.
 
The following principles are at the heart of Solution Focused coaching.

What Worked

With the Solution Focus approach, we accompany the coachee in a constructive exploration of the past to detect all the contributors to WHAT WORKED, analyse all positive deviances, learn from that, and use them as a resource for the future. 

What is There

Do you know all everything you have available to move forward? Solution Focus is about discovering all available resources towards the coaching goal. These resources may be internal like qualities, skills, past experience and/or external like mentors, friends, material resources. Surprisingly, we often overlook what we have because we are focused on what we are missing. Yet, building change is based on existing qualities, rather than on the gaps, because these are empty.

What is Wanted

How much do we really know the what we want? How can we recognise it when it starts happening? Perhaps this sounds obvious to some, but often we spend a lot of time on analysing the what we don't want rather than the what we want. With Solution Focus coaching questions it is about becoming experts in the solution rather than the problem. It is about designing a Desired future for ourselves, with lots of detail about what we do differently and how this is noticed by others. Having this clearly defined picture helps us move towards it.

Small Signs of Progress

A next step towards change is often the obvious thing to do but somehow does not happen that easily. Our job as Solution Focused coaches is to bring awareness to the coachee of the small signs of progress and how these will be noticed. Knowing what progress looks like makes it actionable.

 

 

Solution Focused Internal Coach Certification Program

Word of mouth...

“True developmental experience ...with measurable results and positive effect on work ethic. Solution focus works!”

Golfo AGAPITOU - Head of People Development,  Eurobank

“Highly interactive program, delivered with structure and impact. Equips with solid techniques/ skills that immediately applicable to personal and organisational effectiveness.”

Natasha SPIROU, Group HR Director - Fourlis Holdings SA

 

It has exceeded expectations! The blended methodology of workshops, social learning digital platform and group peer / mentoring sessions accommodates for the different learning styles of the participant group, whilst pushing individual comfort zones.

Alexandra FILLIPIDOU - Talent Manager & Internal Coach Certification participant - Eurobank 

“Exceptional development program ...contributes to increased business results in sales, improved team collaboration, trust building, more effective delegation, and better time management.”NIKI KANELLOPOULOUTraining and Development Deputy Director ALPHA BANK