Solution Focused Working
A solution focused (SF) approach promotes a collective ‘can-do’ attitude in the workplace. It describes a way of talking, thinking and behaving that focuses attention on success and strengths, and emphasises solutions rather than problems.
Solution Focused Actions
- Focus on success
- Acknowledge strengths in self and others
- Use solution focused language
- Describe an improved future/ goals
- Do more of what is already working
- Notice exceptions to problems
- Minimise problem talk
- Applications
SF Action – Focus on Success
Leaders comment on improvement and achievement on a regular basis. Staff are encouraged to share stories of success and are reminded of the significance of the smallest of improvements. Scales may be used to track progress.
SF Language/ Questions:
- ‘What is going well?’
- ‘What are we doing better than we did before?’ (regardless of further room for improvement)
- ‘Where are we experiencing even small amounts of what we would like to achieve on a wider scale?’
- ‘On a scale of 0 – 10, where were we then, and where are we now?’
Click for summary of Solution Focused Language.
SF Action – Acknowledge Strengths - in Self and Others
Leaders acknowledge colleagues’ strengths on a regular basis. Staff are primed to notice and appreciate their own skills and qualities. They are also encouraged to provide informal feedback to colleagues on the strengths they observe in each other.
SF Language/ Questions:
- ‘What am I doing well?’
- ‘What am I doing better than I did before?’
- What skills/ qualities do I bring to this situation?’
- ‘What did I do that enabled me to cope with that difficult situation?’
Click for summary of Solution Focused Language.
SF Action – Use solution focused language
Leaders model the use of constructive language in their interactions. Staff are encouraged to do the same. Confidence in the future is reinforced by awareness of past achievement.
SF Language
- ‘What we have done is . . . ‘What we can do is . . .’
- ‘What we’re good at is . . .’ ‘What we do want is . . .
- ‘What we have learned is . . ‘ ‘Next time we will . . .’
Click for summary of Solution Focused Language.
SF Action – Describe an improved future/ goals
Leaders work with staff to explore and define goals for improvement. Staff are encouraged to maintain a focus on their goals, reviewing them as appropriate. Click to read more about ‘preferred futures’
SF Language
- ‘What are we hoping to achieve?’
- ‘What will this look like?’
- ‘What will we be doing differently when we achieve this?’
- ‘What have we seen other people do?’
- ‘What can we do to move us nearer to our goal?’
- ‘How will we know that we are getting nearer to this goal?’
Click for summary of Solution Focused Language.
SF Action – Do more of what is already working
Leaders look for opportunities to maximise positive experiences throughout the workplace. Staff are encouraged to notice, repeat and do more of whatever is working well.
SF Language/ Questions:
- ‘How could we make that happen more often?’
- ‘Where in the school is this working best?’
- ‘How can we roll this out elsewhere?’
Click for summary of Solution Focused Language.
SF Action – Notice exceptions to problems
Leaders and staff notice when a recognised difficulty is experienced as less intense, less challenging or has less of an impact.
SF Language
- ‘Where in the school is the ‘problem’ not occurring?
- ‘When/ where does it have least impact?’
- ‘What is making the difference?’
Click for summary of Solution Focused Language.
SF Action – Minimise problem talk
Leaders focus on exploring solutions rather than describing problems. They help staff to do the same. Staff are encouraged to generate creative solutions based on their personal resources and hopes for the future. Click to read more about Solution Focused Meetings
SF Language
- ‘How have we coped with a similar difficulty in the past?’
- ‘How will we handle setback?’
- ‘How will we talk ourselves through it?’
Click for summary of Solution Focused Language.
SF Applications
SF practice can be used to focus, motivate and support staff across a wide range of personal and professional situations. It is most effective when adopted as an integral part of a positive workplace culture and incorporated into informal conversation as well as formal discussion formats.
- Staff Meetings/ Parents’ Meetings
- Professional Review/ Development Discussions
- Preparation for Interview
- Preparation for HMIe visit
- Personal and Professional Reflection
The success of the approach depends on the regular and consistent use of the practices described above. Introduce gradually and increase use over time.
Originating in the field of family therapy, organisations now use solution focused approaches in the workplace to improve performance and boost staff morale.
