I was surprised recently when running a course for experienced Solution Focused coaches that what was obvious to me was not so obvious to them. There was I thinking this might be too basic an introductory exercise while they were experiencing a breakthrough in their understanding of the model. I wonder if this happens a lot. The Solution Focused conversational process is so embedded in my professional life I forget that, because of its simplicity, what has become obvious to me is missed by others.
This was the exercise which for some of you will illustrate the obvious and (hopefully) for some will open up new doors.
Three interrelated exercises In groups of three – an interviewer, and interviewee and an observer.
Exercise 1
Interviewer asks: Let’s imagine that it is your next day at work and it is going to be one of those days when you are at your best. This is not a ‘perfect’ day, the world will be the same old world with all its ups and downs, but whatever comes your way you are at your best. What might you notice about yourself in the first hour of the day that fits with you being at your best.
What else? x 20
Exercise 2 (All change roles)
Interviewer asks: Let’s imagine that it is your next day at work and it is going to be one of those days when you are at your best. This is not a ‘perfect’ day, the world will be the same old world with all its ups and downs, but whatever comes your way you are at your best. What might your colleagues notice about you in the first hour of the day that fits with you being at your best.
What else? x 20
Exercise 3 (all change again)
Interviewer asks: Let’s imagine that it is your next day at work and it is going to be one of those days when you are at your best. This is not a ‘perfect’ day, the world will be the same old world with all its ups and downs, but whatever comes your way you are at your best. What might you notice about yourself as you walk into your workplace that fits with you being at your best.
This time the interviewer’s task is to elicit a chronological account of the first hour interweaving what their colleague will notice about themselves, who will notice (each person separately in a different moment and place) how the each person will react and how your colleague (the interviewee) will respond to that reaction.
Stop after 15 minutes.
Only the observer speaks and reports only on the positive aspects of the interviewer.
Stop after 2 minutes.
The exercises illustrate the three levels of description
1. What the client might notice about themselves (often internal states)
2. What others might notice (outward signs of internal states)
3. What difference this makes to the interactions between the client and others
It is a requirement for accreditation by the United Kingdom Association for Solution Focused Practice that candidates demonstrate an understanding and the necessary skills to elicit these three levels of description.
If you would like a copy of “Chapter 9. Being at your best” with a full transcript of such a session please mail chrisiveson@brief.org.uk and for a more light hearted illustration visit https://www.slideshare.net/.../performance-coaching-42134805
Chris Iveson
London
18th September 2022
