1. Appreciative Inquiry: Architecting a strength-based process with a positive frame for breakthrough results

2. Our Journey Re-frame a problem into an opportunity for breakthrough solutions Think Whole System: Create a stakeholder map Explore the power of the question Learn how to structure a discovery process that elevates strengths

3. Ap-pre’ci-ate, v., 1.Valuing … The act of recognizing the best in people and the world around us; Affirming past and present strengths, successes, and potentials; To perceive those things that give life (health, vitality, and excellence) to living systems. 2. To increase in value, e.g. the economy has appreciated in value. Synonyms: valuing, prizing, esteeming, and honoring.

4. Inquiry and Change are NOT Separate Moments Inquiry IS Intervention Our questions set the stage for the data we look for and what we ultimately find

5. In-quire’ (kwir), v., 1. The act of exploration and discovery. 2. To ask questions; to be open to seeing new potentials and possibilities. Synonyms: discovery, search, study and systematic exploration.

6. What is Appreciative Inquiry? a way of being in the world a way of doing in the world

7. DISCOVER Strengths Innovations & Insights Positive Core Assets DREAM Opportunities Valued Future We Want Images of Impact DESIGN Aspirations Ideation and Brainstormer Rapid Prototyping DELIVER Results Capturing Sustainable Value Improv & Learning Affirmative Topic Choice AI “4-D” Cycle 7

8. Topic Creation

9. What do we really want? Decreasing Obesity in our Schools….

10. This became an exciting project…

11. Try this one… Reducing Pollution in our City

12. Became…

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15. The Elevation of Inquiry NegativeNormalPositive Individual ●PhysiologicalIllnessHealthWellness ●PsychologicalIllnessHealthFlow Organizational- Level ●EffectivenessIneffectiveEffectiveExcellence ●EfficiencyInefficientEfficientExtraordinary ●Quality`Error ProneReliableFlawless ●EthicsUnethicalEthicalVirtuous ●RelationshipsHarmfulHelpingHonoring ●AdaptationThreat - RigidityCopingFlourishing ●Social RelationshipsIrresponsibleProfitableCommon Good Kim Cameron, University of Michigan 2003

16. Affirmative Topic Creations Pre-frame it: Pre=Positive Reframe Small shifts make seismic differences: change management begins here.

17. Topic Pre-frames Service that Exceeds Expectations Liberating Collaboration Revolutionary Customer Response Magnetic Work Environment Outstanding Arrival Experiences Business Social Entrepreneurship Optimizing Margins Empowering & Enlightened Leadership “Lightning Fast Consensus” Ecologically Restorative Production Topic Re-framing Can Lead to Breakthrough Results

18. How can we recover lost baggage at lightening speed? How can we reduce baggage loss? How can we create outstanding arrival experiences? Our topic of inquiry can be TRANSFORMATIONAL!

19. AI Sandbox 1.Create 1.Share 1.Feedforward 1.Enhance

20. AI Sandbox Activity 1 Affirmative Topic Creations 1. Identify a problem(s) and Pre-frame it to an opportunity. 2. Good Topics are: bold, desired, spark learning, have energizing words, sometimes bring opposites together, strategic value for the business, generative potential. what we want

21. Issues/Opportunities Ripe for Pre-framing Low morale Student drop-out Parent disengagement High failure rates Disruptive behavior Resistance; the things getting in the way High stress work environment Over-regulation Siloed communication Lack of collaboration Low engagement Frustrating technology

22. Speed Topic Dating Step 1. Evolve – Pre-frame Problem/Opportunity into Positive Topics Step 2. Pick a “Date”: Share Idea Step 3. Partner(Listener) Feed Forward What is exciting to you about this topic? If the sky is the limit, what else might be possible? How might this topic be even stronger?? Step 4. Enhance your Topic(s) Step 5. Reverse Roles….. Step 6. Do another round with New Topic Date

23. Talk to Your Outer Circle Creating Stakeholder Value Connect and engage all those (internal and external) with some stake in the system Focus on what we want (versus don’t want) Mobilizing people to action through their positive images of the future `Great Work - David Stuart

24. Stakeholders

25. Affirmative Topic AI Sandbox Individual Activity 2

26. Spark the appreciative imagination by helping people locate the experiences that are worth valuing. Plants the seed of what is to be studied.

27. 4 “Classic” Areas for Inquiry BACKWARD 1. Reflecting on your History and “High Point” Moments 2. Learning from Others: ie. Exploring Inspirational Practices from Others FORWARD 1. Building on What We Value Most 2. Our Images of the Future

28. The Art of the Question What’s the biggest problem in our organization? Why do our students fail? Why are participants disengaged during IEP meetings? Why do we still have these problems? What are the most unique assets we have? What is the smallest change that could make the biggest impact for our students? How can we re-envision our IEP meetings to be more engaging? When have we been most proud of our profession?

29. “Questions are explicit yet ephemeral, ordinary yet mysterious. Questions offer tools to work with and simultaneously the material from which new construction occurs. Questions are intrinsically co-created since they require both asker and listener to construct meaning. Some questions are provocative and initiate introspection; these questions may push us into new territories.” --- Marilee G. Adams, Marjorie Schiller and David L. Cooperrider With Our Questions We Make Our World.

30. AI Sandbox Individual Activity 3 Question Crafting A.A question to evoke a story from person(s) history (about their experience or something they have seen) A.A question to evoke/help give voice to their best images of future

32. Session Reflections What I liked most about me? What I liked most about us? How can I leverage this in the future to positively impact myself and others?

33. Based at Champlain College, The Center offers a full range of educational programs, research, AI certification and custom collaborative learning partnerships for companies, organizations and corporate. The Center has an extensive network of certified AI practitioners with wide- ranging corporate and nonprofit histories and competencies who can design and facilitate strengths-based change anywhere people work and serve. The David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry is the global Center of Excellence in Appreciative Inquiry and strengths-based organizational management. It is the only academic-based center in the world that focuses directly on Appreciative Inquiry and its implications for Positive Organizational Development and management. Upcoming Educational Offerings January 11-13, 2016 Appreciative Inquiry Practitioner Certification Program Contact Us:  appreciativeinquiry@champlain.edu  802.865.8457

34. Thank you! Pru Sullivan Practitioner in Residence prudencesullivan@gmail.com Miriam Novotny miriam@mosaiclearningcenter.com