Becoming a Solution Focused Manager: A two-day workshop for managers and supervisors in the helping professions

About the Presenters

Jill Ceccolini, MSW, RSW and Barry McClatchey, MSW, RSW

Jill Ceccolini, MSW, RSW, and Barry McClatchey, MSW, RSW, are co-directors of HBTC, a training and consulting firm that specializes in working with people, programs and organizations from a solution focused perspective. They bring decades of experience as clinicians, trainers and supervisors to this workshop.

Since 2003, HBTC has provided workshops and individualized training for a variety of professionals and organizations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Participants in these events consistently rate their experiences as refreshing, inspiring and useful. In fact, many identify HBTC’s workshops on the solution focused approach among their most rewarding professional development experiences.

Workshop Summary

Supervisors and managers in the helping professions often emerge into leadership roles after making significant contributions as clinicians. However, organizational demands and the scarcity of resources sometimes leave little room for managers and supervisors to focus on their own roles. It’s not unusual in these circumstances to feel like one is frequently “putting out fires” rather than a sense of progress and accomplishment.

In this workshop, participants will gain the opportunity to learn a definitive model of management practice that can transform every aspect of their performance and work environment. This forward-thinking, collaborative approach to leading others can result in strong effective relationships with staff and a clear path to reaching performance objectives and organizational goals.

Over the last ten years, the solution focused approach has evolved from a therapeutic modality to a wide-ranging method for developing programs, strengthening organizations and creating effective leadership. On a global scale, the approach is being used increasingly as a model of practice for managers and supervisors in the helping agencies, government and the private sector.

The facilitators will use lecture, group discussion, videos and live demonstrations to illustrate the solution focused approach to management and supervision in the helping professions.

Objectives

After participation in this workshop, participants will:

·         Understand the principles and beliefs that characterize solution focused thinking and see its applications as a model of management practice.

·         Become familiar with the structure of the approach in moving from the identification of problems and challenges to the development of a clear and achievable path toward a “preferred future”.

·         See the importance of examining one’s own management or supervisory practice and how the solution focused approach can be utilized to (1) maintain and maximize one’s existing strengths, skills and abilities and (2) identify new activities that will enhance staff relationships, clarify program direction and create new possibilities for the future.

·         Recognize how the approach is used to collaborate with employees to maximize their effectiveness, address areas for improvement and, and the same time, maintain strong, effective and respectful working relationships.

·         Understand how the model can be used to conduct useful staff meetings, planning sessions and in developing programs and services.

Agenda

Day 1

·         A solution focused journey to your preferred future as a manager, program leader or supervisor.

·         Understanding solution focused thinking: an examination of the fundamental beliefs, structure and questions used in applying the approach to one’s own practice in a leadership role.

·         Working with staff and employees in a solution focused manner: how to “lead from behind” and empower others to maximize their performance and contributions to the organization and its clients.

·         Video demonstrations will be utilized to show the approach in action.

Day 2

·         More practice in utilizing solution focused thinking to improve organizational effectiveness.

·         Using the approach in staff meetings, constructing planning processes and new program development.

·         Soliciting feedback from staff and program users to strengthen management facilities.

·         Solution focused resource: additional opportunities for learning and developing skills.