Train the Trainer: Appreciative Inquiry

By using a strengths-based approach of inquiry throughout an organisation, AI helps individuals, teams and businesses become sources of positive change in the world, showing by example, that even the largest businesses and organisations can lead positive innovations to improve the lives of employees, customers, suppliers and communities.

The Launch and Further Development of Appreciative Inquiry.

Initially developed at Case Western Reserve University’s department of  Organisational Behaviour, Appreciative Inquiry was initially created in 1987 by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva. Since 2000, the original founders of Mobile Team Challenge, Rainey Weisenburger and Cheri Torres, have been working with David Cooperrider in the application of A.I. to experiential learning concepts and the ongoing development of the concepts and have authored several books with Cooperrider.

In the early 2000’s Mobile Team Challenge held several, national, Appreciative Inquiry Conferences in the UK and were one of the original initiators of A.I. into the UK.

Called “the best large-group method in the world today,” AI stands out among other Organizational Development theories due to its scalability and generativity.  AI methods have been demonstrated to:

• Increase profits, while at the same time improving the world.
• Show businesses the bigger picture, including their place in the world from a sustainability point of view.
• Allow employees to be more creative and to have more buy-in with the company’s strategic plans.
• Improve efficiency and output due to the revitalized commitment and enthusiasm from both employees and management for the company’s mission.
• Engage entire communities in creating improvements in their region.
• Work across all types of organisational sectors, from for-profit to the social sector.

AI helps organisations discover the values of their stakeholders and create an aligned vision and mission based on those values. Through the process, organizations can discover key strengths, new product or service opportunities, cost savings and increased earnings. Appreciative Inquiry not only produces better results, but happier people.

Managers and leaders face complex challenges and the need for change on a regular basis. Most of the strategies we have used in the past for problem-solving and decision-making, however, are inadequate for handling complex problems and continuous change. How do we manage problem-solving and change in today’s world?

Whole System Engagement

One of the most widely-used approaches for complex problem-solving is ‘appreciative inquiry’ (AI). AI is a strengths-based practice that engages whole systems in searching for the best of what is, dreaming what might be, designing pathways to live into dreams, and co-creating the future through cycles of action and learning. What makes AI unique is its grounding in social constructionism. This is the notion that we create our social systems through our shared conversations and meaning-making. At some point in the past, we created the current system as our best guess for what would support success. If the current system is no longer supporting success, we can redesign it by having a conversation worth having. Two simple appreciative inquiry practices make this possible: ‘generative questions’ and ‘positive framing’.

Generative Questions

A ‘generative question’ is one that changes the way people think. It creates a compelling image that inspires new possibilities and action. These questions inspire us to think outside of our ordinary frame and to challenge our assumptions.

Positive Framing

The second practice is ‘positive framing’: focus on what you want—the desired outcome(s) instead of the problem. For example, instead of focusing on fixing low performance, study high performance. What are high- performing teams doing that could be replicated? Instead of fixing turnover issues, have conversations with those who are engaged and committed. What can you learn from them?

The Appreciative Inquiry Leader

Creative ideas and solutions emerge in appreciative and inquiry-based conversations. These two AI practices enable teams to respond effectively and with agility to both complex challenges and continuous change. And a manager’s capacity to create high performing cultures is enhanced by using these practices to foster ‘conversations worth having’ anytime, anywhere, and in any situation.

The applications of Appreciative Inquiry are numerous:

• Advanced Reviewing Techniques for Experiential Learning Activities for Individuals and Teams
• Solutions-Focussed appreciative conversations for use in counselling, coaching, mentoring and performance management
• Key Account Development and Sales Enablement interactions
• Strategic Planning and Vision-Setting days
• Conflict to Collaboration – Conflict Resolution Interventions
• Interventions with Offenders / Prisoners

Applications of AI within the UK delivered by Mobile Team Challenge

• 38 NHS Foundation Trusts (4,000 NHS employees trained to date) have used AI Strategic Planning sessions to “Dream” the perfect “10 out of 10” of Patient Experience Excellence
• 50+ RAF, Army, Navy and MOD Tri-Services locations totalling 5,500+ military employees have been trained in Appreciative Inquiry Facilitation, Team Working and Appreciative Leadership.
• The BBC commissioned MTC in 2007 to design a Vision for 2020 where AI concepts were utilised to “Dream” the BBC’s 15 year plan. We are still seeing many of the plans from the 2007 planning session coming to fruition – e.g. the moving of the BBC Sports Department to Manchester and the consideration of removal of the “licence fee” are just 2 of the “dreams” which were created during our session.
• 30+ of MTC’s Local and Central Government Customers have utilised AI for Culture Change and Strategic Planning during our workshops
• Almost 50 HMP Prisons, Young Offenders and Home Office initiatives (e.g. Knife Crime Community Action Groups etc) have been trained to utilise the 5 D’s of AI to great effect with one particular AI programme resulting in a case where 15 prisoners have not re-offended over 3 years after attending the MTC sessions. (Further information of AI in Prisons and detention centres can be found here https://mtceurope.co.uk/sectors/prisons/)

Delegates Will:

• Identify and learn how to apply and teach the principles of Appreciative Inquiry
• Identify how to deliver Strategic Planning and Visioning Days using these inspiring techniques
• Identify the positive outcomes by applying AI to Conversations, Performance Reviews, Interventions and Coaching Sessions
• Learn techniques which are motivational and inspirational
• Practise how to facilitate a Strategic Planning and Visioning Workshop utilising the AI principles
• Learn how to “Dream” and “Design” Strategic Planning Action Plans and SMART Goals
• Learn how to create and use Generative Questions
• Learn the 5 Principles of AI – The Constructionist Principle, The Poetic Principle, The Anticipatory Principle, The Positive Principle, The Simultaneity Principle and the power of the Positive Core
• Explore the unleashing potential of positive reframing and learn hot to create winning behaviours and mindsets
• Identify how we can achieve the “positive mindset” in the Workplace
• Learn the tools to “Discover, Dream, Design and Deliver” efficient Culture Change programmes
•  Learn how to deliver David Cooperrider’s Appreciative Inquiry Model

SO….whether you are looking for a Train the Trainer Course to learn how to deliver Strategic Planning… or Positive Reframing… or Appreciative Coaching… or Conversations Worth Having… or Professional Intervention Skills or Appreciative Advanced Facilitation skills – please contact us and we would love to talk to you about your specific requirements.