Positively Speaking

​If the conversation is a fundamental unit of change, then what we choose to say makes a significant difference to the results we can expect.  

Our book, Positively Speaking, is a practical workbook for transforming conversations, and a great place to start. You might also like to take a course with us, either on-line or in person.

And we are regular speakers and workshop leaders at conferences around the world.  Book us if you'd like a session that's guaranteed to be engaging and inspirational for all the participants.
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Positively Speaking: The Book
DIY guide, for everyone


​Suppose, you...
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  • Have got a difficult conversation that you’re really not looking forward to 
  • Want to change your boss's mind, but he doesn't listen
  • Need your team – or your children - to take responsibility for their own issues

Paul Z Jackson and Janine Waldman take you on a tour of successful, constructive conversations, from preparation through opening remarks to agreeing the right actions.  

Illustrated throughout with tips, examples and exercises, Positively Speaking will develop your skills in creating dialogue that works well for you at work, in social settings and at home.

With a resource-based, solutions-focused approach, you will find it simpler and more enjoyable to get what you want by talking to people the Positively Speaking way.  And the results will be positively extraordinary.
“The strategic application of Solution Focused approaches can help unlock the most challenging aspects of executive leadership in the modern public sector. Jackson and Waldman’s approach instils the discipline of simplicity and builds confidence through positive enquiry.  I have greatly benefited from working with them and recommend Positively Speaking as a way ahead.” Andrew Fowlie, General Manager, NHS Grampian

“This resource really does live up to its aim of helping us learn more about what we can do rather than what we can't. I like the way it brings the idea of Solutions Focus to life through examples, case studies and practical exercises. I'll definitely be using these ideas in my work as a facilitator and coach.”  Colin Coombs, Learning & Development Manager, Tate


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Positively Speaking: The Course of the Book
3 days in 6 weeks, for managers and staff


​This course contains three live workshops, wrapped around six weeks of working with a study guide-book. These elements teach you the Solutions Focus tools through discussions, case studies and – above all – by you working on, reporting and getting feedback on your own issues.

​You’ll see instant results within your regular work, as you test your skills week by week. This programme is for any member of staff who will benefit from developing their conversational skills.
Rather than encouraging people to dwell on their weaknesses and deficits, the approach focuses on drawing out their know-how, resources, skills, success stories and ideas about how to improve their performance quickly while making significant and lasting change.


​By participating in the programme you will:
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  • Discover what makes some conversations better than others
  • Acquire a tool kit that enables you to hold more constructive conversations every time you choose to speak
  • Identify and build on what you are doing that is already working
  • Get what you want professionally and personally by engaging in more skilled communications with those around you.​
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You learn how to get the most from it during a face-to-face kick-off workshop. You get further support and individual assignment feedback along the way in workshops at the middle and end of the programme.
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We also offer a 1-day version of this course for people wishing to hone their conversational skills. This provides you with a comprehensive overview and instantly-applicable practical experience of the tools.
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Keynotes and Presentations
Customised, in house and at conferences


Do you:
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  • Need a speaker to inspire you during complex and changing times?
  • Want to make a start with an approach that is already benefiting some of the world’s leading organisations?
  • Want to know how to find the small actions that will make a big difference to you and your organisation?
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Book a keynote speech for your conference or meeting: This is the short time that makes a big difference.

Our acclaimed keynote and workshop presentations may be just the thing to wow your next conference and get your people up to speed on the latest in organisational development theory.

We also offer short and practical sessions (from one hour up to half a day) to familiarise your key stakeholders with the ideas and methodology of Solutions Focus. More than merely an introduction, these sessions offer participants real and practical tools to take away and begin using immediately.

You'll be sure of finding Solutions Focus a practical skill as well as an unending source of new ideas to find know-how, resources, skills, success stories and finely-honed action steps.

Discover the next generation of change technology - contact us now to arrange an inspirational speaking event.

Janine Waldman talks about performance


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Paul Z Jackson talks about mistakes
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Recent Conference Presentations 
  • Arts Council England
  • Brighton Festival
  • EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Conference), Zurich
  • IAL (International Alliance for Learning), Atlanta
  • ICF (International Coaching Federation), Brussels, Israel
  • Junior Chamber International, Belgium
  • SEAL, Liverpool
  • SOL (Solutions Focus in Organisations), Switzerland, Austria, Prague, Budapest
  • UKASFP (United Kingdom Association for Solutions Focus Practice), Edinburgh, Liverpool 
  • Applied Improvisation Network Conference, Oxford, Montreal, Austin, Berlin, Baltimore

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Conferences

UK Association for Solution Focused Practitioners, 14th -15th June 2018

Janine will give her presentation "The African Queen - Building Bridges in Zaire" and we will also present our session "How to be resilient – with an SF approach".


CIPD L&D Expo, 10 May 2017
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At the CIPD L&D Expo on Wednesday 10th May we presented 'Get Resilient' at the CIPD L&D at 3:55pm, and presented our Resilience Pocketbook at the Pocketbook stand.
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SF World Conference, 22-24 September 2017

We were excited to be part of this big event with up to 350 international practitioners.


​​The Solutions Focus in Organisations International Conference, 19th - 21st May 2016

With three days of Open Space in Liverpool, it was an exciting opportunity to share work and ideas - and to see what emerged.


UK Association for Solutions Focused Practitioners, 2nd -3rd June 2016

We were delighted to have been delivering the pre-conference workshop, 'Introduction to SF'. 


Solutions-Focused World Conference, 10th - 12th June 2016

Janine delivered her plenary presentation, 'Words which change worlds' in Amsterdam.


Central Eastern European Conference, 5th - 6th February 2015

The 2nd regional conference hosted by the SOLWorld community welcomed 60 practitioners from several countries, mainly from the Central Eastern European region.
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United Kingdom Association for Solutions Focus Practice, 5th June 2015

The 2015 UKASFP Conference was held at the Mercure Abbey Hill Hotel, a few minutes' drive from the centre of Milton Keynes.

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