A team of eight experienced professionals were running a long-established care centre for clients with mental health problems. Ironically, they applied the solutions focus approach in their practice for visitors, but under the intense pressure of day-to-day work had forgotten to apply it among themselves for a while.

In a one-day team coaching session, we helped them to recall all the amazing success they were having – given their position in a cash-strapped local authority – and reminded them of the passion and skills they brought to their work. Towards the end of the team day, we asked about small actions they might take, and one replied, “I’ve already started: I put fresh flowers out by the front-door, to brighten up the place for when clients arrive.”