InterAction Collection 2021

Deliberately or otherwise, we all use them all of the time. So how do metaphors open minds and enrich perspective?  How do they enhance, amplify and explore a core message by subtly taking a perhaps occasionally closed mind on a wonderful involuntary journey of emerging ideas?  Well, allow yourself just an hour of well-earned quiet time to watch this video; you'll be amazed at how powerful and thought provoking the use of metaphor can be.  

Guided by the skilful, gentle questioning of Wendy Van den Bulck, let yourself be absorbed in this fascinating dialogue between Cédric Broux and John Brooker.  Watch as they explore in depth the related characteristics of Free Running (Parkour) - a way of expression through interaction with various obstacles and the environment - and the framework for Solution Focused Collaboration espoused by John Brooker in his latest book 'Jump Now'.

Parkour And Solution Focus Collaboration

In this audio, Leah runs one of the workshops that stewards within the Host Leadership community regularly facilitate to spread the philosophy and practices of the approach. The workshop provides a healthy mixture of practical activities and moments of talking about the philosophy of Host Leadership and ways to enact it through a proven practical model.
During the meeting, the guests have been involved in activities their Host specially designed for them to:
•	experience the value of the host leadership metaphor in their context of action
•	find out how to encourage their clients to build relationships while moving forward
•	use the step- forward and step-back dance of the Host Leader
•	examine the new roles and positions of engagement of the Host Leader
Host Leadership practitioners’ best hope is that Solutions Focus practitioners and others will take further interest in the Host Leadership idea and find inspiration in its usefulness and beauty.

Host Leading - Taking a new practical view on leadership - Leah Davcheva

Do you, like me, long for more of a community feel in your local area? Like Mark McKergow, I spent much time travelling before COVID came along and, when home, created connections locally as best I could, e.g. as a dad meeting parents at the school gates, as Chair of my local scouts. Sadly that connection ended when no longer involved in school or Scouts. Being part of these communities felt good, and while there is much to love about our SFiO communal Zoom activities, I long to catch up in person over a coffee and a hug!

So Mark McKergow’s initiative to build micro-local sustainable neighbourhood communities in urban settings, known as ‘Village in the City’, has appeal. 

In this video/audio case study, Mark recounts what led him to initiate this movement, how it is important for the world today, and how the project is developing.   
For those interested in using the Solution Focus approach in organisations, Village in the City provides an excellent case study on using SF to create a different type of ‘organisation’, a community organisation.

Mark set out with the best hope of creating a community amongst his neighbours in the West End of Edinburgh. He sat down to describe the elements of his future perfect, including a host, inclusivity for all, connection to stimulate conversations, meeting places, inclusive gatherings and an ‘identity’, something of which to be proud. To progress, he ‘used what’s there’ and small steps: 
•	creating an email list of neighbours
•	playing the saxophone on his front doorstep for his neighbours during lockdown
•	using his previous experience of networking
•	connecting with the hosts of a tiny neighbourhood FaceBook group and taking small steps to build it from 20 to nearly 1000 participants through leafleting and word of mouth
•	community notice boards
•	An SF worksheet, scaling each element that Mark envisaged, for potential organisers.

The joy of this approach is its simplicity. Anyone can do it. Might that be you?

How Solution Focus Underpins 'Village in the City'

In this talk, Morgan Lewis shares his SF journey to support young athletes in finding their confidence and connecting to their excellence. Using solution focus questions when coaching the athletes, he engages in a quest to gather evidence of competence, to nurture their self-confidence and belief in themselves.
There are many useful insights for those leaders working in business.

#SF24 Morgan Lewis and SF question for athletes

Elvira Kalmar presents an inspiring Case Study session on how, as an Organisational Development consultant, she worked in a Solution Focus way with her client Invitech, to bring about an agile transformation fast and with incredible lightness.

Elvira engaged me as she described her approach (or lack of process as she explained), allowing the client to be the expert in their world, helping them define what agile transformation would look like and co-creating the steps along the way. 

In just three months, she was able to help the “experimenting team” achieve what they wanted, so that this team could influence other teams – letting the “fire” spread across the business. The team learned and developed their own process; Elvira did not force it on them. 

This recording is one you must watch or listen to, to fully appreciate the passion and ‘way of being’ Elvira displays when she describes how she worked with her client. 

Elvira models all aspects of great Solution Focus practice, and there are many tips for you to take away, both in the case study and in the reflections of those listening.

How Can Transformation Happen Fast And With Lightness?

“Dreamwork is what makes the teamwork,” says Anton Stellamans in his marvellous welcome to the 2025 SOLWorld Conference in Mechelen.

It began two years ago in Vienna, when the organisers first dreamt of what SOLWorld 2025 could be. Their dreams took shape, and what dreams they were, in a gathering full of warmth, insight and inspiration.

SFiO is delighted to share Anton’s warm introduction in InterAction.

Whether you were part of the magic in Mechelen or not, we invite you to watch or listen in. You’ll experience the heartfelt rituals, the rich sense of continuity, the thoughtful inclusivity, and the sheer delight that marked the start of the conference. It’s a masterclass in setting the tone for “good company”.

If you were there, let it spark fond memories. If you missed it, here’s your chance to catch the spirit. You can see all SOLWorld 2025 features in the 2025 collection: https://www.sfio.org/interaction-collection/

With heartfelt thanks to our SFiO Financial Contributors—your support made this filming and editing possible. Click on the green button on the website if you would like to ensure recordngs of future conferences.
Annie Bordeleau and John Brooker

Introduction to SOLWorld 2025

Soundcloud features our audio features on Solution Focus in organisations, from The InterAction Collection. We are an international community of Solution Focus practitioners who continue learning and developing the SF approach in organisations.

How Solution Focus Underpins 'Village in the City'

SFiO - Solution Focus in Organisations

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