Vahvuusperusteena

Vahvuusperusteena is a Finnish term that translates to "strength-based" or "based on strengths" in English. It refers to an approach or philosophy that focuses on identifying and leveraging the inherent strengths, abilities, and resources of individuals, groups, or systems, rather than primarily addressing their weaknesses or deficits. This perspective is applied in various fields, including psychology, social work, education, and organizational development.

The core principle of a vahvuusperusteena approach is that by building upon existing strengths, individuals and organizations can achieve greater growth, resilience, and success. Instead of solely concentrating on problems or areas needing improvement, this method emphasizes recognizing what is already working well and using that as a foundation for further development. It promotes a positive and empowering outlook, fostering self-efficacy and motivation.

In practice, a vahvuusperusteena approach involves active listening, open-ended questioning, and collaborative exploration to uncover and articulate these strengths. Examples include identifying personal talents, community assets, or successful strategies within an organization. The goal is to harness these positive elements to overcome challenges and achieve desired outcomes. This contrasts with deficit-based models that tend to focus on diagnosing problems and finding solutions to perceived inadequacies. The vahvuusperusteena perspective suggests that focusing on strengths can be a more effective and sustainable path to positive change.