5 Column Approach : A Tool for Strength Based Work

Blue sky with a white cloud and doric columns. 5 column approach

We do better when we build from what we do well.

We do better when we work from our strengths.

We mostly know this about ourselves, but how do we put it into practice?

Working from a strengths based approach does not always come easily and naturally to everyone, yet it can be life changing for both the facilitator and the person being assisted.

One of the  tools I have found helpful is the 5 Column approach. Developed by St Lukes  I have found it an effective tool to guide and assist myself, and others to identify steps for change.

5 Column Approach The_Strengths_Approach_WFor more about the strengths approach I recommend a book I have found very useful: “The Strengths Approach: a strengths-based resource for sharing power and creating change” by Wayne McCashen.  Along with information on developing and working from a strengths based approach in a very practical way, it also contains an explanation with examples of the 5 column approach in action.

While I am talking about ‘The Strengths Approach’ I appear to have lent my dog-eared, well marked copy, out to someone – if you find it please let me know!

 

What is the 5 Column Approach and What Does it do?

This is just one tool that can assist working from a strengths approach. It is a flexible tool that can be adapted for a range of situations.  While calling it the 5 Column Approach here, it can have between 4 and 6 columns and you can order the columns differently as required.

The process can assist a person to more clearly identify:

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  • an issue or current situation they wish to change;
  • the future picture;
  • what resources they have, or that they might be able to access, that could assist;
  • first steps towards change.[/unordered_list]

It also focusses the ‘helper’ on gathering the stories, strengths and capacities, and to build the plan from where the person is.

two hands connecting two jigsaw pieces. 5 column approach-connecting hands

Before using any tool or strategy remember:

A strength based approach needs to be real, genuine.

You need a desire to really listen to the person in a respectful way:

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  • to discover their experience and what this means for them
  • work to understand the person’s future picture or vision – their goals and aspirations
  • to identify the strengths, capacities, resources the person has within, and around them.

[/unordered_list]

 

The 5 Column Approach

Here is an example of the 5 column approach with some questions that might be helpful to gather information:

 

ISSUES AND FEELINGS FUTURE PICTURE STRENGTHS EXTERNAL RESOURCES FIRST STEPS
Spend some time clarifying what the issue is.Encourage specific descriptions and statements. If the issue were resolved what would be happening. identifying the strengths and resources you have to put towards the picture of the future. What strengths and resources do you need from others. Steps to take towards the picture of the future. This becomes the action plan.

 

Gently begin by working with the person to identify the priority issue to work on. The one that springs to mind for the person when they think about their future. What is it that would make the picture different.

This is not the time for thinking about solutions, but for listening carefully to the story.

 

Possible Questions to Build a Picture For Change Using The 5 Column Approach

5 column question-24851_640ISSUE AND FEELINGS

What is happening? When and how often does this happen?

What affect does this have on you? Including how it makes you feel.

How would people close to you say this is affecting you?

Who else does it affect? And how does it affect others?

How does this issue get in the way?

What beliefs do you hold that might affect this issue or affect change occurring?

Are there any external structural or cultural constraints?

 

5 column question-24851_640FUTURE PICTURE

What does your future picture look like? Describe it as fully and clearly as you can. Help me to see it.

What will be happening when this issue improves?

What will people close to you notice?

How will you know things are going better for you?

What will you and others be doing differently?

 

5 column question-24851_640STRENGTHS AND EXCEPTIONS

Think about a time this is lessened or not happening (no matter how briefly) – what is different? What is happening? What are you and others doing?

Are there times you expect this issue and is does not happen; what is happening at these times?

What do you do well?

What do you have that might help achieve your goal, and resolve this issue or be able to reach the future picture you have?

What would other people close to you say are your abilities to overcome problems?

 

5 column question-24851_640EXTERNAL STRENGTHS AND RESOURCES

Think about any resources you might have, or you know of that might help this issue?

Who and what else might be able to assist?

What skills and resources might help?

Think about all the different areas of your life: community, networks, family, culture, education, work  – what support, assistance, resources, might be there?

Are there resources you might find elsewhere? What could they be? Where might you get them from?

 

5 column question-24851_640First Steps

Write down specific do-able steps – what will be done, by whom, by when – small manageable steps.

Possible Questions:

Thinking about all that you have written (talked about) here, what steps could you take?

Looking over each column are there steps that you think could be taken?

Who could assist you – when; how and with what?

What are things that you can do, what could you ask others to do that would help create your future picture.

 

Starter Tips for a Strengths Approach:

You are the facilitator not the doer. You are facilitating the person to identify their issues, vision and steps.

Work from where the person is – try not to offer solutions or jump ahead.

You do not know, nor are you expected to know, the answers. You are facilitating the person to take responsibility.

A strengths approach needs to be approached in an open, honest and collaborative way.

 

If you are interested in more resources the Innovative Resources site at St Lukes has some mouth-wateringly, wonderful resources to facilitate a strengths approach.

Please share any other resources or experiences of a strengths approach in the Comments below.

 

All images except Strengths Approach book cover from www.pixabay.com

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