Solution circles are a short and powerful tool that takes no more than a half hour. It is effective in getting “unstuck” from a problem in life or work. Solution Circles are tools of “community capacity”. They assume and demonstrate that people – in any community or workplace – have the capacity to help if asked. It requires a person to ASK – not an easy thing in our culture of privacy and “do it alone”. This tool demonstrates that TOGETHER WE CAN BE BETTER.
We have a free template to support you here (in SEMH section).
Logistics:
Time required: No more than thirty minutes.
Number of people per Solution Circle: Best with 5-9.
Roles to be played:
· Problem Presenter (focus person)
· Process Facilitator (team manager, timekeeper)
· Note Taker or Graphic Recorder
· Creative blue-sky thinkers! 😊
The Steps:
Step 1(a): (6 minutes) PRESENTING PROBLEM
The problem presenter will have 6 uninterrupted minutes to outline the problem. The job of the facilitator is to keep time and make sure that no one interrupts or offers solutions prematurely. The recorder takes notes (if there is no recorder, the facilitator can do this). Everyone else listens. If the problem presenter stops talking before the six minutes elapse, everyone else stays silent until the 6 minutes pass. This is key!
Someone is asked to present the views of the young person by using statements such as ‘I feel…,’ ‘I think…,’ ‘I wish…’ Everyone listens and allows the 2 minutes to be used uninterrupted.
Step 2: (6 minutes) CLARIFY
Now the group can have a dialogue led by the problem presenter. This is time to explore and clarify the problem. Questions such as ‘why…’ and ‘how often…’ are appropriate, but the facilitator must ensure no solutions are offered yet e.g., ‘have you tried…’.
Step 3: (6 minutes) – SOLUTIONS This is about blue-sky thinking.
Everyone chimes in with ideas about creative solutions to what they just heard. It is not a time to clarify the problem or to ask questions. It is not a time to give speeches, lectures, or advice. The process facilitator must make sure this time for everyone gets a chance to give their brilliant ideas. No one must be allowed to dominate. The problem presenter listens – without interrupting. He/she must not talk or respond. It’s hard to just listen- but it is an important part of the process!
Step 4: (6 minutes) SELECTION – The First Step.
The focus person and the group decide on first steps that are doable within the next 3 days. At least ONE step should be initiated within 24 hours. This is critical. Research shows that unless a first step is taken almost immediately, people do not get out of their ruts. A coach from the group volunteers to phone or see the person within 3 days and check if they took their first step.
Finally, the group just does a round of words to describe the experience and the recorder gives the record to the focus person.
In our experiences people love this exercise and find that it generates action. It does not guarantee a solution, but it usually gets people “unstuck” and at least points to the next logical step.
References:
This material has been adapted from material designed by Marsha Forest & Jack Pearpoint Copyright 1996 Inclusion Press.
