Imagine communication that doesn’t dwell on deficits, but celebrates capabilities. That highlights resilience instead of vulnerabilities. This is the essence of strength-based communication – a deliberate choice to focus communications on an individual or community’s strengths, resources and opportunities for growth.
Strength-based communications or strength-based messaging moves beyond the “problem-centric” approach, recognizing that people should not be simply defined by their challenges. There are many other disciplines to help us understand where strength-based messaging comes from, why it is effective and how to put it to use at nonprofits today.
Where does strength-based communication come from?
Strength-based communication has its foundation in social work. It is a “work practice theory” which focuses on an individual’s self-determination and strength. There’s also:
- Positive Psychology: Which investigates the science of human flourishing, focusing on strengths, virtues and positive emotions. Positive psychologists provide tools and frameworks for identifying and leveraging individual strengths, complementing the goals of strength-based communication.
- Appreciative Inquiry: Uses appreciation as a catalyst for positive change. By focusing on successes and what’s working well, appreciative inquiry creates positive momentum that builds upon strengths and fosters confidence.
The impact of strength-based communication and these related disciplines stretch beyond words. By focusing on what’s possible, it:
- Boosts individual and community well-being: Focusing on strengths fosters confidence, optimism, and a sense of agency, leading to greater individual and collective well-being.
- Strengthens relationships: When we see one another through the lens of strengths, it fosters mutual respect, trust and collaboration, building stronger personal and professional connections.
- Drives positive change: Recognizing potential ignites the desire to grow and contribute. Strength-based approaches can empower individuals and communities to actively seek solutions and drive positive change.
Other disciplines related to strength-based communication
While strength-based communication is focused on all applications of communication across every aspect of an organization, there are other related disciplines that are designed to address specific parts of the nonprofit sector. For example, related to fundraising, there is:
- Community-Centric Fundraising: Just as strength-based communication emphasizes individual capabilities, community-centric fundraising recognizes the collective wealth of resources within a community. It shifts the focus from external donors to local assets and collaborative efforts, building sustainable solutions from within
- Trust-Based Philanthropy: This effort is focused on funders and addresses the inherent power imbalances between foundations and nonprofits to advance equity.
Frameworks that support strength-based communication
There are also tools and frameworks we use to produce strength-based communication, including:
- Trauma-Informed Facilitation: a facilitation style designed to minimize the risk of retraumatization.
- Asset-Framing: framing tools or practices used to achieve strength-based communication. We use other framing devices as well, like those put out by groups like Frameworks Institute.
These disciplines, tools and framework share a fundamental belief in human potential and the power of positive narratives. They all aim to shift the focus from deficits to strengths, empower individuals and communities and drive sustainable change.
Strength-based communication focuses on the language and tone we use in communications and interpersonal interactions. Community-centric fundraising and trust-based philanthropy center around resource mobilization and power dynamics. Trauma-informed facilitation emphasizes psychological safety and understanding. Asset-based framing is a framework for analyzing challenges and opportunities.
When used together, these approaches, philosophies, tools and frameworks can create a powerful ecosystem where the individuals and the communities can overcome challenges, thrive and contribute their unique strengths to a brighter future.
