One of the things I love to do is work with people and organizations through the strategic planning process. David Cooperrider believed that strategic planning was one of the most creative times in an organization's life because it called for elevated thought and action, and that it was a time to recreate connections across a system. At the recent SE Board Leaders of Alberta Conference (file below), i had the delightful fortune to present with Dr. Denise Henning on the underlying principles and processes of AI. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is an unapologetic search for the best in people, and it is a powerful tool for re-framing problems and creating positive organizational change. This interactive session covered the philosophy and practices of AI, including the 4-D cycle (and its permutations), SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results), and practical tips for how to facilitate AI sessions with teams. I'm so excited to do this again at the Alberta Library Conference coming up at the end of April, and I am considering how to incorporate AI into my doctoral dissertation.
PS. Would like to thank Andrea Woods, colleague, friend, and talented photographer from Woods photography, for assisting with the slides.