THE 7 STEP PROCESS

1
Creating organisational potential out of
individual differences. Can we Get over the
frustration caused by ineffective and inefficient
meetings Get over the power wins approach to
deciding Get over the smothering effect of
focusing on the negative? And move to Managing
change successfully Engendering creative
thinking Rational approach to decision making
2
Style and Type of Meeting Style of
meeting Meeting Style Chairs style Members
expected to Command Tell Do as
told Persuasive Sell Give fair hearing, have
doubts resolved Advisory Consult Contribute
information, ideas, opinions Participative Involve
Help explore and resolve problems or
issues Type of meeting Type Purpose Exploratory
Generation and sharing of information Diagnostic
Identify problems requiring resolution Amplifier
Generation of possible solutions to problems
no evaluation of them Filter Evaluation of
alternative ideas leading to resolution of
problems
3

• How do our meetings look if style and type are
  plotted?

Command
Persuasive
Advisory
Participative
Style
Exploratory
X
Some feel uninvolved and no practical outcome
agreed
X
Everyone feels involved but no practical outcome
is agreed
Diagnostic
Amplifier
X
Everyone feels involved and committed to agreed
solution
X
People feel the agreed solution is a fait accompli
Filter
Type
4

• Causes of ineffectiveness in meetings
• The purpose of the meeting is not clear or is not
  accepted by the group
• The style and/or type of the meeting may not
  be suitable for the group, its chair, or the
  purpose of the meeting
• Inadequate preparation for the meeting
• Inadequate chairing during the meeting

5
Problem Oriented Meetings

• ?
• Focus on the Problem
• 80
• Finding a solution 20

6
Solution Oriented Meetings

• ?
• Clarify the Problem
• 20
• Finding a solution 80

7
How? One Step at a TimeStep 1

• Real World
  Possibility Land

Big issues leave people not knowing where to
start, or seeking one solution to fix
everything..

• Big Issue

8
How? One Step at a TimeStep 2-4

• Real World
  Possibility Land

It is possible to break down the issue into
identifiable chunks by re-phrasing the problem as
How to....
9
How? One Step at a TimeStep 5-6

• Real World
  Possibility Land

When an identifiable chunk is prioritised, it is
possible to see a way forward in small,
achievable steps
10
How? One Step at a TimeStep 7

• Confirm
• Plan what will be done
• Do - who will do it
• Review when progress will be reported

11
Success Criteria for Solution-Focused Meetings

• Spend time focused on the issue or problem
• Pragmatic focus
• Meet every individual stakeholders needs to some
  degree
• Focus on SOLUTIONS rather than historical account
  of PROBLEMS
• Give equal status to all group members
• Non fixed membership the people who can share
  expertise or experience directly with this
  problem are there

12
Steps in the Solution-Oriented Approach to
Meetings

• Relaxation and focusing
• Brief description of the issues by the problem
  owner
• Question 1 what are the problems, really,
  which are impeding (progress with this issue).
  The problems are how to.
• Prioritise (vote)
• Question 2 in how many ways might we solve the
  problem of how to
• Prioritise (vote)
• Assign action plan responsibilities
• What?
• Who?
• By when?
• Arrangements for review

Tasks Exceptions Identifying Problem
free scaling goals talk
Implementation Design Diagnosis
13
THE 7 STEP PROCESS
TECHNIQUES

• Visualisation
• Problem-Free Talk
• Dreams/Nightmares
• Identify Goals Through
• Miracle Question
• Empty Chair
• Whispering Mentor
• Dots Allocation
• Brainstorming
• Scaling
• Exceptions
• Dots allocation
• What, where, when, who, how?

• Relaxation and focusing
• Problem description
• Problem identification
• Problem prioritising
• Solution generation
• Solution prioritising
• Action Plan