Problem talk creates problems, solution talk creates solutions. - The solution-focused approach, developed by Steve de Shazer and Kim Berg, has gained popularity across many areas of society. In their book "Creating mental health across cultures Claude Hélène Mayer, Doctorate in Cultural Anthropology at Georg-August-University Goettingen, and Christian Martin Boness, Doctorate in education, Georg-August-University Goettingen, explain how a solution-focused approach to managing might be used to further innovation and create healthy (transcultural) organizational environments.
"Since the 1980s and 1990s there is a tendency in organizations towards more efficient and flexible work relationships on the one hand and a tendency towards a shift to participative and cooperative governance in the workplace. [
] Although authority continues to play an important role in the workplace, an ultimate authority is absent, and each member can participate directly or through representation in decision-making, Mayer states. This evolving organizational principle poses a challenge to managing transcultural organizations especially. Instead of just "showing the way, superiors have to make use of the potential and contribution of their employees to the organization. Considering that transcultural organizations often combine a plethora of different people with a plethora of different views on "the right way of doing things, the ground for conflict is laid. A solution-focused approach to managing might be the answer to the problem.
"The solution focused approach values simplicity in philosophy and language and aims to discover what works in a given situation. The focus is on solutions - not problems, the future - not the past and on what is going well - instead of what is going wrong, Mayer explains. "It leads to a positive and pragmatic way to work with organizations and individuals.
Steve de Shazer and Kim Berg (1995) have stated three key principles of Solution Focus (SF):
1.) If it aint broke, dont fix it.
2.) Once you know what works, do more of it.
3.) If its not working, do something different.
Maybe the biggest advantage of Solution Focus (SF) in managing transcultural organizations lies in the interactional view. "The focus is on the in between instead of the individual. It uses simple language and assumes that every case is different and needs a particular approach instead of applying an overall theory, Mayer highlights. "Coaching for teams, groups and individuals proves a potent mix when combined with the Solution Focus. In the book "Creating mental health across cultures Mayer and Boness refer to the "SIMPLE method, developed by Jackson and McKergow (2002), for an easy example on how to achieve solution-focused approaches in organizations. By following 6 basic steps managers can become more solution-oriented in their leadership, making room for individuality and innovation.
Maybe the simple things are truly the best. LKZ
Creating mental health across cultures – Coaching and training for managers
Mayer, Claude-Hélène; Boness; Christian Martin
