Leadership

Ania Smolka Synopsis The open space session facilitated by Ania Smolka on designing ‘sustainable leadership’ programmes was an intensive exploration of ideas on integrating sustainability into leadership practices across various organisational layers. Ania asked three teams to consider the challenge and we show their outputs below. As well, one of the teams highlighted the concept of Regenerative Leadership (subtly different from Sustainable Leadership). Below, you can download a PDF article on the relationship between this concept and Solution Focus.

What shines through in this video is Douglas' delight at applying SF to the very traditional Project Management world and seeing how wonderful a difference it can make.

Mark McKergow Read or download the full article after the synopsis. Article Synopsis Mark’s article introduces and explores “rutenso”, a concept he coined to describe the art of thriving amidst constant and ceaseless change, inspired by Japanese cultural attitudes toward impermanence. Originating from the Japanese word “ruten,” meaning continuous change, “rutenso” emphasises proactively working with ongoing shifts instead of resisting them. This approach contrasts sharply with traditional “koteiso” management methods, which presume stability and prioritise fixed goals and detailed plans. Rutenso advocates for appreciating and leveraging differences, taking measured and thoughtful actions rather than rushed responses, and viewing leaders as facilitators who enable change instead of controlling it. Drawing parallels with contemporary political events and leadership styles, the article suggests that rutenso principles - such as looking widely, slowing down to observe during difficulties, and hosting rather than driving — are especially pertinent in the current global climate marked by unpredictability and shifting alliances. Ultimately, rutenso aligns closely with Solution-Focused practices, emphasising incremental steps, adaptability, and building collaborative relationships to foster constructive outcomes amid uncertainty.

Hosted by Leah Davcheva ↗ Introduced by Géry Derbier On a beautiful Sunday morning, twenty or so participants set out to explore the metaphor of Host Leadership and its practices. Mark McKergow and Helen Bailey carved out the model of two steps, four positions, and six roles of a Host Leader. With the guidance of host Dr Leah Davcheva, participants constructed ways to use this model to benefit clients and themselves.

John Brooker & Marika Tammeaid Reviewed by Marika Tammeaid ColLab is an interaction blending relationship and task When I learned that John Brooker is writing a new book, I started looking forward to it with confidence and joy. It had already been a while from his last book The Creative Gorilla (2013), and we all had been able to enjoy his fresh, creative, and well-packaged tools in various SF conferences. So, that gave good grounds for anticipating a great book giving food for thought and action for working in SF way with organisations. And I must say, all these expectations were rewarded, and even more.

Introduced by Carola Baxmann Quick, simple, easy and helpful for achieving goals – that’s how Caiden and Rafferty, two pupils at Beechen Cliff School in Bath, UK, summed up their experience of the school’s wellbeing project. These words perfectly describe the story you’re about to see or hear.

Introduction SFiO Financial Contributors supported the filming of several sessions at SOLWorld 2025. While not every session could be recorded, we interviewed many of the presenters whose sessions were not filmed. Below you’ll find their interviews — with video, audio, and in some cases slides or an article — offering a window into the ideas they shared. The conversations were hosted by Annie Bordeleau and John Brooker. We hope you enjoy exploring them. Click on a title to open the interview.

↗ Introduction Elvira Kalmar is a seasoned organisational development coach and facilitator who brings warmth, clarity, and curiosity to every encounter. Her work blends solution-focused coaching with a deep respect for the wisdom already present in teams. Rather than offering quick fixes, she invites leaders and organizations to pause, reflect, and create change from within. Elvira’s calm presence and skillful questions turn ordinary conversations into moments of insight.

Anton Stellamans reviews *Solution Focused Coaching in Asia* (Hogan, Tuomola, Wignaraja, eds.), a collection of 32 case studies showing how SF coaching is practiced across diverse Asian cultures and contexts.

↗ Roy Marriott In this workshop, filmed at SOLWorld 2025 in Mechelen, Roy Marriott invites us to reflect on what it means to listen in a Solution Focused way. He begins with Michael Ende’s story of Momo, the little girl whose extraordinary gift was not advice or wisdom but her capacity to listen. From this starting point, Roy weaves together story, mindfulness, and practice to explore how listening can be both deeply simple and profoundly transformative.