Together

Ubuntu, a term originating from South Africa, encapsulates the belief that our humanity is interconnected and interdependent. Archbishop Desmond Tutu beautifully described Ubuntu, saying, “A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.”

Solution Focused practice shares a similar ethos with Ubuntu, emphasizing the strength of collaboration and recognizing the inherent resilience within individuals and communities. Solution Focused practitioners strive to catalyse their clients’ progress towards a preferred future by working with them to identify their own resources, capability and interconnectedness.

The value of working with other people, rather than in isolation, in the pursuit of excellence is abundantly familiar to everyone. Think of any creative pursuit, such as songwriting, where even ‘solo artists’ naturally seek out peers to ‘bounce ideas off’, and timeless classics are so often created by a whole band working together, or the greatest team sports achievements, where equal accolades are presented to every member of a winning team, in recognition of the fact that ‘the sum is greater than the whole of its parts’

This week I’ll be attending the UK Association for Solution Focused Practice (UKASFP) conference in Oxford. It’s one of the highlights of the year for me, as it presents a great opportunity to connect deeply with the Solution Focused community.

Being part of a community such as this provides a network of like-minded professionals who offer support, encouragement, and collaboration. Through shared experiences, we can learn from one another, exchange ideas, and develop new strategies to enhance our practice.

Attending conferences like this allows practitioners to stay up-to-date with the latest research and trends in Solution Focused practice. Engaging with peers and experts in the field fosters professional development, broadens perspectives, and expands our knowledge base.

In a community, we can seek and provide constructive feedback, enabling us to refine our skills and approaches. Honest discussions with fellow practitioners promote self-reflection and critical thinking, ensuring that our practice remains effective and ethical. Being part of a community also creates a sense of accountability, as we are motivated to maintain high standards and uphold the integrity of our profession.

For me, actively engaging with the community around the approach I practice is an essential activity to ensure that my clients are getting the best possible service from me. As the usual translation of ‘Ubuntu’ puts it; ‘I am because we are’