TranslateThree big SF questions
Conversations to enlighten
May 17, 2026
Mark McKergow & Anton Stellamans & Jonas Wells & John Teager
Click above to Listen on Soundcloud
Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash.
Introduction by John Teager
A very special and enduring bond was established when Anton Stellamans, Jonas Wells and Mark McKergow met, for the first time, at the SOL World Conference in Sweden in 2004. This opportune bringing together of philosophy, anthropology and rabid curiosity led to an immediate connection and a natural conversation on how Solution Focus, and the groundbreaking work of Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, could be evolved and brought into organisations and society more widely.
The year 2002 had seen the publication of ‘The Solutions Focus: The SIMPLE Way to Positive Change’, which built on de Shazer’s and Berg’s concepts and introduced revolutionary yet practical alternatives to conventional wisdom on decision-making and problem solving. This treatise proved to be the catalyst at SOL World 2004 for not only an enduring friendship between Anton, Jonas and Mark, but for an enduring journey and exploration into the power of Solution Focus and its inherent worth.
Fast forward twenty years. Anton, Jonas and Mark are as present as ever and have become doyens of Solution Focus in organisational and societal contexts. Nothing delights them more than to continually seek out the Big Questions on Solution Focus, and to have enlightening conversations with new and seasoned practitioners on where Solution Focus practice is going, how it might better realise its power, and how, to the joy of many, it continues to inspire.
The recent global chapter meeting, hosted by SFiO and held online on 26 Apr 2026, featured Anton, Jonas and Mark as guests, included SF practitioners from across the globe, and captured one of those very conversations. This podcast brings you an abridged version of that amazing, thought-provoking, and inspiring conversation, featuring Jonas’s question and its exploration. Do listen to it and then after, perhaps, ask yourself the same final questions that were asked of those who participated:
- What insights emerged for you?
- How was your thinking stretched?
- What might others notice you doing differently as a result of your involvement in this conversation?
- Where would you like to go next?
If you share in the rabid curiosity of our doyens and other passionate SF folk for the future of SF in organisations and society, and you’d like to be a part of it, why not continue the journey by joining us at ‘SOLWorld University 2026’, being organised by SFiO and held at Land aan Zee, NL from Wednesday 14th October to Sunday 18th October - SOLWorld University 2026. You won’t be disappointed.
Mark McKergow
SFiO Director
SFiO Reviewed Practitioner
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor
Dr Mark McKergow is co-director of sfwork – The Centre for Solutions Focus at Work, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is an international consultant, speaker and author. Many people around the world have been inspired by his work in Solutions Focus – presented wth his inimitable blend of scientific rigour and performance pizzazz.
Anton Stellamans
Board Member
SFiO Chapter Head
SFiO Contributor
Anton Stellamans works as a Solution-Focused coach, trainer and facilitator at Ilfaro, Belgium. After his studies (philosophy and history) he was trained in SF Brief Therapy at the Korzybski Institute in Bruges. He is co-autor of “Resilient People, Resilient Teams” and “The Art of Giving Feedback.”
Jonas Wells
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor
Jonas Wells works in Sweden as Coordinating Manager for South Dalarnas Coordination Agency. The agency coordinates joint efforts between municipalities (social work), social insurance office, job centre and the regional health care organisation. He is also responsible for the continuous development of indicators of successful collaboration via the Swedish National Network of Coordination Agencies.
John Teager
Chapter Head
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor
Following a long and distinguished Air Force career of more than thirty years, John Teager transitioned seamlessly into defence industry and became managing director of an Australian subsidiary of an international prime. After enjoying ten years of significant success in the commercial world, John repatriated to his home town of Adelaide and established his own business – Open Mind Thinking – which helps company executives and their teams to be solutions focused, to have constructive conversations, to embrace the infinite nature of business and to develop strategies to get and stay ahead.
