Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry Presented by Pepperdine MSOD Omnicron Class Cycle Forward Learning Group June 2013

Module Objectives Gain basic understanding of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) techniques Experience the positive impact of AI Learn how and when to use/apply AI Exposure to AI resource toolbox for future use

Traditional Problem Solving Vs AI Problem Solving “Felt Need” Identification of Problem Analysis of Cause Analysis of Possible Solution Action Planning (Treatment) Appreciative Inquiry Appreciating “Valuing the Best of What Is Envisioning “What might be” Dialoguing “What Should Be” Innovating “What Will Be” From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.

Ap-pre’ci-ate, v., In-quire’ (kwir), v., “…to value or admire highly; to judge with heightened understanding; to recognize with gratitude.” “…to search into, investigate; to seek for information by questioning.” From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.

AI Exercise – 4 Parts Pair Interviews Part I Pair Interviews Part II Learning Group Sharing What You HEARD Find Common Themes & Establish Actions 30 mins25 mins Note: Pairs should be within Learning Groups – Trios when necessary Part IIIPart I & II

Pair Interview Questions – Part I Instructions: Person A interviews person B using the following questions. Feel free to take notes to be prepared to report out to your learning group later. (Then reverse Roles) Questions: 1.What would you describe as being a high-point experience while in France, a time when you were most alive and engaged? 2.When were you at your personal best? 3.What are the core factors that made our cohort most effective on this trip?

Pair Interview Questions – Part II Instructions: Follow same process as Part I Question: Imagine you have awaken after a long, deep sleep. You wake up and you have just finished the November trip to Costa Rica. Your ideal state has become the reality. –What do you see? What happened on the trip? How were things better than the France practicum?

Learning Group Exercise Part III In your learning group, share what YOUR PARTNER told you during the interview (everyone should be heard; ~2min per person) Everyone should take notes Record high point common themes on a flip chart Images of the future: How can you apply this in the future - identify what the group wants to do different for the Costa Rica practicum to make it the best session imaginable Be prepared to share one brief highlight with the cohort

Five AI Principles Positive Principle Anticipatory Principle Simultaneity Principle Poetic Principle Constructionist Principle From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc. In the interest of time we will only cover 2-3 of slides # (there will not be enough time to do them all)

Discovery “What gives life?” The best of what is. Appreciating Discovery “What gives life?” The best of what is. Appreciating Dream “What might be?” Envisioning Results/Impact Dream “What might be?” Envisioning Results/Impact Design “What should be – the ideal?” Constructing the future Design “What should be – the ideal?” Constructing the future Destiny “How to empower, learn, and improvise?” Sustaining Destiny “How to empower, learn, and improvise?” Sustaining Affirmative Topic The AI 4-D Model of Positive Change From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc. In the interest of time we will only cover 2-3 of slides # (there will not be enough time to do them all)

Why AI Works – The 6 Freedoms Free to be Known in Relationship Free to Be Heard Free to Dream in Community Free to Choose to Contribute Free to Act with Support Free to Be Positive In the interest of time we will only cover 2-3 of slides # (there will not be enough time to do them all)

What’s Different About AI? Purposefully positive Builds on past success “Grass Roots” and “top down”Highly participativeNurtures a positive “inner dialogue”Stimulates vision and creativityAccelerates change From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc. In the interest of time we will only cover 2-3 of slides # (there will not be enough time to do them all)

Creating Engaging AI Questions State questions in the affirmative Begin with a leading questions that builds on affirmative topic choice Give a broad definition to the topics Invite participants to use storytelling and narratives Phrase in rapport talk, not report talk Allow ambiguity because it gives room to “swim around” Value “what is” Spark the appreciative imagination by helping the person locate experiences that are worth valuing Convey unconditional positive regard Evoke essential values, aspirations and inspirations Note: Every question most begin with a positive preface From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.

Evolution of Uses of AI Over the Last Thirty Years TimelineLate 1980s Early 1990s Mid 1990’s Late 1990’s Early 2000s ApproachInterviewsFocus Groups Small Conference Large Conference Mega Conference Scope1-1SamplingMost / all engaged Whole System Cross- systems ExampleTeam / Small Dept Med/Large Dept Plant / SiteAll stakeholders: Nations / Religions Planning1-2 peopleSmall teamLarge teamLarge team plus consultants Several teams, army of consultants Acquisition Integration Change initiatives Coaching Diversity Initiatives Employee Engagement efforts Focus Groups Leadership & Team development Meetings New product development Strategic Planning Work process redesign Organization culture change Organization transformation Surveys And many more…

Overview of Toolkit List of recommended books on AI Free videos on YouTube Sample presentations (including this one) on AI “Cheat Sheet” AI concepts

EXTRA INFORMATION

Things to take to France Exercise Instructions (Louise) Hard copy of presentation (Louise) Job Aides (Kim) Books (Louise – 3, Kim – 1) Markers (Louise) Surveys (Val)