The Solutions Focus: The SIMPLE Way to Positive Change (People Skills for Professionals) [Paperback]

PaulZ Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Series: People Skills for Professionals | Publication Date: February 15, 2002

This book defies conventional wisdom that suggests that identifying a problem is a sure path to uncovering a solution. The authors' original and radically pragmatic SIMPLE model instead shows how to sidestep the search for specific causes of trouble and head straight for the practical and innovative ideas to deal with difficult people, unravel complex strategic issues, or build strong teams.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beautifully-crafted, elegantly-simple...A must read for coaches and consultants looking for truly effective tools." -- Anthony M. Grant, director, Coaching Psychology Unit, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Australia

"Filled with clear and useful examples including how solutions are built in solution-focused coaching and in teams." -- Gale Miller, professor and chairperson, Marquette University, and consulting partner, Solutions Behavioral Health Group

"For anyone who fancies being part of the solution instead of part of the problem." -- Paul R. Scheele, chairman, Minneapolis-based Learning Strategies Corporation, and author of Natural Brilliance

"Offers real hope for discovering solutions instead of endless analysis of problems." -- Christine Garner, director, Industrial Society Learning and Development

"This book is both culture changing and life changing...Packed with thought provoking case studies. I love it." -- Sue Knight, author of NLP at Work

One of the Best Thirty Business Books of 2002! -- Soundview Executive Book Summaries, June 2002

From the Publisher

The first book to introduce to the business world the proven skills and techniques that have worked for years in other professions to help people manage change, THE SOLUTIONS FOCUS defies conventional wisdom that suggests that searching for the cause is a sure path to uncovering a solution. Instead, in the spirit of such change management models as Appreciative Inquiry and NLP, Jackson and McKergow offer a revolutionary alternative that sidesteps the search for the problem and heads straight to the practical and innovative solutions to deal with difficult people, delegate to colleagues, unravel complex strategic issues, or build strong leadership teams. For anyone who wants to harness their creativity, to move flexibly and approach each new challenge with fresh ideas, and to find innovative workplace solutions to even the most intractable problem, this toolkit for change is packed with field-tested techniques, excercises, and case examples that can lead to immediate action and results.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing (February 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857882709
• ISBN-13: 978-1857882704
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,433,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The skeleton key that unlocks solutions - an enjoyable read, May 24, 2002

By 

Dr. M. Mckergow (Cheltenham, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Solutions Focus: The SIMPLE Way to Positive Change (People Skills for Professionals) (Paperback)

This innovative book could be the skeleton key that unlocks the solutions to many of your organisational, team or managerial problems.

The authors effectively challenge the old paradigm of "cause and effect" as the best approach to problem solving, demonstrating instead a "theory of no theory" in which every case is treated on its merits. They draw on their extensive experience as consultants and trainers in large companies in the UK and abroad, revealing an approach that has clearly proved inspirational to their clients.

In organisations, they argue, no problem happens all the time, so try focussing first on those times when things are going well. Do more of what you have identified that works, and see what happens.

People in organisations constantly rise to challenges, providing evidence of "counters" - gold-dust resources of cooperation, talents and corporate know-how, all of which can be tapped into when needed. Conversely, evidence of resistance to change can be a gift; a message that you have yet to find the best way to cooperate with colleagues.

They don't claim great originality, positioning their solutions approach with its roots in systems thinking, psychotherapy, patient care and family therapy. They have, however, drawn from their sources a simple model, creating a 'How To' book with enough flesh on the bones for you or me to use in teams or coaching scenarios. The reader is shown how to define solutions in ways to help move forward directly; spot helpful events and resources; and avoid major pitfalls on route.

The Solutions Focus is a big idea about small steps that maximise success: it's simple without being simplistic. Five of the fourteen chapters develop the model and draw on all manner of experts, notably Milton Erickson and Peter Senge to reinforce the messages. The authors also illustrate the power of the model with real examples from organisations as well as everyday issues such as pub licensing hours, parents and schools, food and the weather.

Further chapters show how to apply the approach to coaching, team and organisation settings, and finally the authors share how they developed the ideas in the book.

I found this an enjoyable read, which is undoubtedly a serious contribution to people and change in organisations. It offers a way to influence those in control - even those who sometimes see their position as a reward for past effort and the future as a holding operation rather than a regular revolution. In my view, it is a must for optimists, intuitives, and the up-and-coming who thirst for success at work and in life generally. It will equip them for the challenge of providing stimulating uplift to bosses and others whose feet may appear to be stuck in problematic mud.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, Yes, and Yes, February 7, 2004

By 

Caldwell Nancy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Solutions Focus: The SIMPLE Way to Positive Change (People Skills for Professionals) (Paperback)

More than 15 years ago, I picked up a copy of Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury and was immediately excited by their ideas and the thought of applying these concepts in the field.

I felt the same attraction and enthusiasm while reading The Solutions Focus last month. The logic and ethics of the approach are refreshing and, unfortunately all too rare in the corporate world where I do most of my work. It makes so much sense to identify and work with what works. Also, I greatly admire the fact that an essential foundation of the approach is based on respect for the human being as a knowledgeable individual, who is capable of making intelligent changes, rather than a cog in a system to be manipulated and disdained for not embracing inherently irrational changes which are forced upon him.

Not only do I welcome working with this kind of positive energy but, I see time and time again that it actually does work. The kind of dialogue that SF fosters is constructive, rewarding and democratic.

In my work as an independent consultant in management, negotiation, creativity and intercultural issues, I have tapped somewhat similar methods of interaction. SF creates a wonderful coherent whole which I'm excited about applying.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Streamlining efficiency and improving business sense, May 6, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Solutions Focus: The SIMPLE Way to Positive Change (People Skills for Professionals) (Paperback)

The Solutions Focus: The Simple Way To Positive Change, collaboratively written by business management consultants Paul Z. Jackson and Mark McKergow, is a powerful, "reader friendly" guide that focuses entirely on a pragmatic approach to modern business dilemmas. From making use of proper organization, to the importance of teamwork to a simple and useful focus technique to get to the heart of any problem in short order, The Solutions Focus is very strongly recommended as a dynamic, practical, and straightforward guide to streamlining efficiency and improving business sense.