Monthly Archives: June 2014

Podcast Episodes, Positive Risk-Taking

Podcast Episode 016: Risk Taking v Risk Aversion

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TheStrengthsRevolution_albumart_2-2Are we risk takers or are we generally more conservative in our risk decision making, more risk averse? There is no blanket answer to this question for any of us, as there are different situations and circumstances that influence us in different ways.

Health and Social Care service practitioners may become more risk averse in particular situations, and some will be more risk averse depending on their own experiences. When is it ok to be risk averse? When it is the clearly reasoned decision based on careful consideration of the information available to us.

Risk decisions will be part of everyday experiences within health and social care services across all sectors e.g. mental health, learning disability or older persons services. The same principles apply to all of us in our personal lives, when we are confronted with situations that require a difficult decision.

For the full content of this episode click on the links to iTunes and Sound Cloud (or go to Stitcher Radio):

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/strengths-revolution-steve/id867043694

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/016-risk-taking-v-risk-aversion/id867043694?i=316511320&mt=2

“There is a short window at the beginning of one’s professional life when it is comparatively easy to take big risks. Make the most of that time, before circumstances make you risk averse.” [Joshua Foer].

Podcast Episodes, Positive Risk-Taking

Podcast Episode 015: Positive Risk-Taking

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TheStrengthsRevolution_albumart_2-2We live and work to varying degrees in a blame culture, which can drive us unintentionally to make more risk averse decisions on occasions. But taking risks is an essential part of a healthy life. The questions that we need to address are why we take risks, and then to consider how we go about taking risks.

The concept of Positive Risk-Taking is discussed in this episode, as something that emerged in the thinking relating to mental health services, but is equally applicable to everyone’s lives. The concept is firmly based in strengths-thinking, because we gain confidence in taking risks if we are more aware of our or others strengths. The discussion highlights the importance of clearer use of language in order to communicate more precisely what we mean.

A further message is that a risk averse option is not a risk-free option. Quotes are used to illustrate the importance of taking risks in our lives.

For the full content of this episode click on the links to iTunes and Sound Cloud (or go to Stitcher Radio):

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/strengths-revolution-steve/id867043694

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/015-positive-risk-taking/id867043694?i=316182597&mt=2

“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” [T. S. Eliot].

 

A Strengths Approach, Person-centred working, Podcast Episodes, Podcast Interviews

Podcast Episode 014: Steve Onyett Interview Part 2

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TheStrengthsRevolution_albumart_2-2In Part 2 of this extensive interview Steve Onyett explores his work interests and influences. With a focus on the current challenging and exciting times faced by health and social care services he discusses ideas around leadership, the role that solution focused approaches have played in his practice as well as development of others, and the ‘bonkers’ nature of the system that has emerged across the last couple of decades.

In relation to the priorities of the ‘system’ the question arises as to whether there is a place for the Sacred Fools to make a real impact? As for the next steps in his journey he explores the importance to him of becoming involved in the ‘Way of Council’ approach to personal development, and also outlines the true meaning of listening as he explores the idea of ‘listening from the heart’.

Steve embodies an excellent example of how and why we should honour both our ancestors as great influences on our own development, but also our successors through our care for the planet and the legacy we pass on to the next generation.

For the full content of this episode click on the links to iTunes and Sound Cloud (or go to Stitcher Radio):

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/strengths-revolution-steve/id867043694

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/014-steve-onyett-interview/id867043694?i=315887798&mt=2

 

A Strengths Approach, Person-centred working, Podcast Episodes, Podcast Interviews

Podcast Episode 013: Steve Onyett Interview Part 1

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TheStrengthsRevolution_albumart_2-2Professor Steve Onyett reflects on the values that have influenced his work and personal development across the last 30 years, including where those values have emerged from. He identifies two particular people who have been influential, one specifically on his professional roles in mental health services, and the other offering him a mentoring role in his development as a spiritual being.

Steve is a well respected facilitator, coach, researcher and writer, but this interview also explores his aspirations in areas of environmental activism and the wider humanistic approach to personal development and his desire to support others. He is particularly engaged in the ‘Way of Council’, and the idea of a deeper ‘listening from the heart’.

For the full content of this episode click on the following links to iTunes and Sound Cloud (or go to Stitcher Radio):

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/strengths-revolution-steve/id867043694

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/013-steve-onyett-interview/id867043694?i=315557844&mt=2

A Strengths Approach, Podcast Episodes

Podcast Episode 012: An Ordinary Life

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TheStrengthsRevolution_albumart_2-2An ordinary life is an exceptional life in so many ways, particularly if we devote some time to reflecting on who we really are, what we are good at, and what we want out of our normal lives. So, can the idea of a Strengths Assessment as derived from health and social care services apply to everyone else who has nothing to do with being in need of or delivering such services?

Lets leave the idea of paperwork tools and unnecessary bureaucracy in its rightful place (the bin?). The concept is perfectly applicable to all of us when we think of it as our own informal subconscious way of adapting our personal values and principles to situations we find ourselves in throughout our lives. A strengths approach can provide a guide to the path we follow, whether that is a rocky rooad or a smooth highway at different points in time.

Thinking about and applying our strengths happens in every situation… moving home, changing jobs, developing new relationships or bringing up children. We draw on our accumulated experiences and resources, as well as taking a few risks along the journey.

We don’t normally confront a challenge by seeking out and applying our weaknesses. We actually draw on what we can do, what we are good at, apply our skills, adapt to circumstances, and call on others with the necessary expertise to help us accomplish the challenge. We work to our strengths!

For the full content of this episode click on the following links for iTunes and Sound Cloud (or go to Stitcher Radio):

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/strengths-revolution-steve/id867043694

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/012-an-ordinary-life/id867043694?i=315238335&mt=2

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” [George Eliot].

A Strengths Approach, Podcast Episodes

Podcast Episode 011: Nuts and Bolts

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TheStrengthsRevolution_albumart_2-2When should we be starting to build up a Strengths Assessment, including within health and social care services? The answer is ‘immediately’, it should be a natural default position to how we connect with people and think about who they really are.

Searching for and using peoples strengths should be equally relevant when someone is acutely unwell or going through a period of crisis. It is not something that we just set aside a one-off time slot to complete; it is an on-going fluid conversation. The picture has to emerge over time if we are to have faith in it as an accurate positive picture of personal resources.

It requires a different mindset of practitioners working with clients/patients/service users. Medical approaches focus on the issue of identifying the diagnosis, as a descriptor of problems. It requires degrees of self-disclosure in order to engage a stronger therapeutic relationship.

Paperwork has a place for prompting and capturing the detail; but bureaucracy has no place in a picture of positive practice. We are ultimately helping people to build a positive picture of themselves, and of the resources they can personally apply to exert more control over their own experiences.

For the full episode of this podcast click on the following iTunes links (or go to Sound Cloud or Stitcher Radio):

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/strengths-revolution-steve/id867043694

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/011-nuts-and-bolts/id867043694?i=314851263&mt=2

“To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.” [Giorgio Armani].

A Strengths Approach, Podcast Episodes

Podcast Episode 010: Paint a picture of this

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TheStrengthsRevolution_albumart_2-2Building a Strengths Assessment is like painting a picture, requiring careful attention to the detailed layers of its construction. From the broad brush of the different parts of our lives, to the strokes and touches that represent the fine detail of who we are.

Nobody’s life is simply black and white, we all have colours, contrasts and textures that help to define us. But don’t expect the canvass to give up its secrets lightly, a Strengths Assessment requires attention and passionate inquiry of a life lived and a future one hoped for.

The detail of a Strengths Assessment addresses the core questions of what is going on at the moment, what do you want to change, and what resources are needed to achieve that change? It is based in a few very practical principles that are outlined in this episode.

See the full details of the episode on iTunes at the following links (and on Sound Cloud and Stitcher Radio):

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/strengths-revolution-steve/id867043694

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/010-paint-a-picture-of-this/id867043694?i=314295917&mt=2

“The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.” [Charles R Swindoll]