SFiO
The InterAction Collection
OF SOLUTION FOCUS PRACTICE IN ORGANISATIONS · Vol 16 - 2024 Edition

Collaborative Ecosystems Between Organisations

Lessons to learn in intra-governmental collaboration

Sep 11, 2024

Jonas Wells, Susanne Burgstaller, Marika Tammeaid, Mark McKergow,Jesper Hankovszky Christiansen & Dominik Godat

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Introduced by John Brooker

We are delighted to feature this case study on the use of SF within inter-organisation collaboration, a collaboration that has been working for 15 years. You can view the video above or download / listen to the audio on Soundcloud below. As well we have added an associated article by Marika Tammeaid below.

In “Collaborative Ecosystems Between Organisations”, Jonas Wells, interviewed by SF colleagues, presents a detailed account of the work done by Jonas and his colleagues to coordinate a large-scale collaboration between various public agencies in Sweden A collaboration particularly focusing on social insurance, job centres, municipalities, and healthcare. This collaboration aims to support individuals who often fall through the cracks of siloed services, particularly those dealing with unemployment and long-term health issues, including mental health. Jonas has been in this role since 2005 and has spent the last decade working to ensure that these collaborative efforts are effective and progressive.

Key Collaboration Aspects:

  1. Collaboration Across Agencies: The work involves bringing together different agencies—national, regional, and local—to work in a coordinated manner, ensuring that individuals receive comprehensive support without falling between the gaps of these services.
  2. Focus on Effectiveness and Progress: A central theme is the continuous questioning of whether the collaborative efforts are making a meaningful difference. This includes gathering data, conducting interviews, and creating indicators that can show progress at a national level. The information is then shared with the government and used to inform future work.
  3. Inclusive and Open Process: Jonas emphasises the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that all voices are heard, from service users to professionals and politicians. The process is designed to be open and participatory, allowing for contributions from a wide range of stakeholders.
  4. Micro and Macro Focus: There is a strong emphasis on the importance of micro-processes (small steps, careful communication) in contributing to macro-level outcomes (large-scale change). Jonas explains the art of crafting communications, such as emails, to set the tone for collaborative work.
  5. Dynamic and Emergent Process: Jonas describes the process as organic and ever-changing, with no fixed formula. It requires constant adaptation, learning, and partnership-building. The approach is more about facilitating and supporting the process rather than controlling it.
  6. Sustainability and Trust: The longevity of the project (over ten years) highlights the trust and consistency built within the network. Jonas underscores the importance of maintaining a balance between keeping the process fresh yet familiar enough to sustain engagement.

Solution Focused (SF) Aspects:

  1. Questions as Tools for Progress: Jonas values the power of questions in driving the process forward. By asking what difference the work is making and how progress is recognised, the project continually evolves based on the insights gathered.
  2. Co-Creation and Partnership: Emphasising partnership over top-down directives, Jonas discusses the importance of working alongside others in a collaborative, non-hierarchical manner. This approach aligns with the SF principle of partnering with clients to co-create solutions.
  3. Focus on What Works: The SF approach is evident in the emphasis on identifying and amplifying what is already working within the system, rather than imposing predefined solutions. The process involves recognising and building on successful practices across different agencies.
  4. Flexibility and Adaptation: The approach Jonas and his colleagues use, reflects the SF principle of flexibility, adapting to what emerges in the process rather than following a rigid plan. This allows the process to remain alive and responsive to the needs of the stakeholders.
    In summary, Jonas showcases a deeply collaborative, inclusive, and adaptive approach to managing large-scale public sector coordination, with a strong emphasis on the principles of Solution Focus, such as asking powerful questions, partnering with stakeholders, and focusing on what works to drive meaningful change. There are valuable insights throughout and it is an hour very well spent!

Listen on Soundcloud

Soundcloud photo by NEOM on Unsplash+

Read associated article

Article Abstract

Dr Marika Tammeaid interviewed Jonas Wells as part of the article “Measuring Learning Outcomes in the Context of Reforming Public Sector Leadership Through Learning”. Her article emphasises the limitations of traditional metrics in evaluating public sector leadership training. It advocates for a systemic, context-sensitive approach that prioritizes relational, motivational, and intentional aspects of learning over mere technical details.
Marika argues that meaningful evaluation should focus on actual learning outcomes, unbudgeted benefits, and the broader impacts on systems change.
She highlights the importance of co-created, dialogical assessment methods, and suggest that successful leadership training should aim to foster deep, systemic transformation rather than just replicating standardised processes.
Examples from Sweden and the Centre for Public Impact underscore these principles in practice.

Read and download it here:
Measuring Learning Outcomes. Author: Marika Tammeaid

This article is an excerpt from Tammeaid, M. (2023). Public sector leadership meta-skills. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Vaasa]. ACTA WASAENSIA 507. PP199-203. https://osuva.uwasa.fi/handle/10024/15490

Jonas Wells
Jonas Wells
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor

Jonas Wells works in Sweden as Coordinating Manager for South Dalarnas Coordination Agency. The agency coordinates joint efforts between municipalities (social work), social insurance office, job centre and the regional health care organisation. He is also responsible for the continuous development of indicators of successful collaboration via the Swedish National Network of Coordination Agencies.

Susanne Burgstaller
Susanne Burgstaller
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor

I have been leading and coaching organisations for more than 30 years. Adopting the Solution Focused approach to my work has been transformative, amplifying my impact and work satisfaction way beyond what I thought was possible.

Marika Tammeaid
Marika Tammeaid
SFiO Reviewed Practitioner
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor

Dr Marika Tammeaid is a Solution-Focused Coach, developer and leadership trainer, currently working as the Director of Development at the Finnish, Itla Children’s Foundation. Previously she was responsible for designing and leading the “Route for renewal” public sector leadership training courses at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra.

Mark McKergow
Mark McKergow
SFiO Director
SFiO Reviewed Practitioner
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor

Dr Mark McKergow is co-director of sfwork – The Centre for Solutions Focus at Work, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is an international consultant, speaker and author. Many people around the world have been inspired by his work in Solutions Focus – presented wth his inimitable blend of scientific rigour and performance pizzazz.

Jesper Hankovszky Christiansen
Jesper Hankovszky Christiansen
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor

In Jesper H Christiansen and Solutionsurfers, I am working with the solution-focused approach in the field of coaching, team coaching, large groups interventions and conference facilitation.

Dominik Godat
Dominik Godat
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor

Dominik Godat is a lecturer, author and passionate SF practitioner and coach spreading the art of co-creating better conversations in organisations and beyond.

John Brooker
John Brooker
Co-President
SFiO Reviewed Practitioner
Editor of Interaction
Chapter Head
SFiO Contributor

John has over thirty years experience of leading people to collaborate effectively. He gained his leadership experience as a Senior Vice President in Visa International, working on international projects. Since 2004 he has used his leadership and Solution Focus expertise to enable people in multinational and national organisations to collaborate effectively. He is Co-President of Solution Focus in Organisations, an SFiO Reviewed Practitioner and has an MBA from The Open University in the UK.

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