Julie’s Ideas Blog 15: Solution Stroking

Based on an adaptation of the practical problem-solving technique from Synectics (see Nolan, 1981) I developed the concept of solution stroking.

The problem solving technique involves:

1. listening to the problem owner headline their problem, the background to it, solutions already thought of and/or tried, their ability to take action, and their ideal, even fantasy, solution;
2. brainstorming (in TA terms, Natural Child behaviour with Parent and Adult ego states banned by a Controlling Parent facilitator);
3. one person at a time offers a practical suggestion related to the problem-owner’s chosen direction;
4. the problem-owner responds to each suggestion by paraphrasing, stating at least three reasons why they like the idea (even if this is hard for them to do), and indicating any problem with the idea, worded as a direction, to which others must then address any further ideas;
5. a final step in which the problem-owner confirms they have a workable solution that they will implement – and the process really does lead to such an outcome.

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The process works because:
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• there are several brains working on the problem;
• the ego states are balanced (Child being creative, Adult focused on the here-and-now, Parent opinions being limited by the process);
• the process severely limits discounting;
• there are enhanced levels of stroking through:
  • listening and interacting with the problem-owner;
  • the 3+ points given for each suggestion;
  • hearing the action statement and seeing the genuine appreciation of the problem-owner.

I took the stroking aspects, which I named solution stroking, to create a way to respond whenever offered an idea, particularly an unsolicited one – listen, paraphrase, identify one benefit or positive aspect of the idea, and promise to think about it.

Such a positive response will encourage the idea-giver to continue to be creative and offer you suggestions. Sometimes we might want to add a comment about why the idea will not work, but if we do this as a direction for another idea, we may well find the idea-giver has a solution for that too.

Example

[Paraphrase] So you are suggesting that I present my ideas at the next conference. [Plus Point] I like that idea because it would get my ideas across to a lot of people at once. [Optional – Direction] How can I be sure that the conference organisers will allow me to speak? [I will think about your idea] I will see what can be arranged.

With the optional direction included, the idea-giver might add:

I can recommend you to the organisers. OR  I happen to know they need more speakers.  OR . . . .
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References

Hay, Julie (1992) Transactional Analysis for Trainers Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill (currently published as 2nd edition, 2009, Hertford: Sherwood Publishing)

Nolan, Vincent (1981) Open to Change MCB - now available as a free e-book at http://www.vincentnolan.co.uk/documents/open-to-change-innovators-han-vincent-nolan.pdf

There is also another free e-book that gives an overview of the Synectics Invention Model at http://synecticsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Imagine-That-Visual-Overview.pdf
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© 2018 Julie Hay​
 
​Julie is a fan of open access publishing so feel free to reproduce any of these blogs as long as you still attribute it to her.

If you’re interested in learning more TA, Julie runs regular workshops and webinars –  we currently have an offer of a free place on one of our webinars. You can use these toward your CPD and as credit hours in pursuing professional TA qualification