Will you try on a new perspective?
When is the last time you were energized by meeting with colleagues?
(I’m hoping that your answer is, “It was earlier this week!”)
One of the highlights of my last week was the opportunity to share my passion for Appreciative Inquiry with a group of folks from around the world at an event hosted by Axelle Vanquaillie, founder of Drawify. It was fantastic!
The five original core principles of AI were the focus of this introduction into the field. If Appreciative Inquiry is new to you, it’s a generative, practical process model for approaching change, in ourselves, organizations, and society. AI is a paradigm, a way of seeing the world that invites us to attend to the positive dynamics in our relationships, work, and communities.
In this short video, I developed to introduce the session, you get a sense of how AI enables us to have a complete view of life—both the positive and the negative. The principles and practices provide ways to re-wire our brains to think positively, to overcome the negative bias (which protects us in times of danger, yet can bias our thinking). We can learn to intentionally change our thought patterns, repeat them over time and literally change our perspective on the world. Living, or being AI requires enhancing our awareness through cycles of reflection and action.
With my ever-present view of gatherings as opportunities to share new ideas and begin skill development, I also want to ensure that the exciting new knowledge and practices find their way into the daily lives of participants. With that mission in mind, I created this template in Drawify so that the questions could spark reflection and action following the session.
What do you think of all this? Would learning more about Appreciative Inquiry, strengthening your skills at finding the good in circumstances (and using that knowledge to work with the challenging aspects) enhance your personal and professional lives?
I endeavor to be AI every day… in times like these, it’s a perspective that keeps me focused on my foundation that supports and empowers me to build on what works, to tackle what is challenging. If you’re curious to learn more, reach out! I love talking AI!
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
Alan Kay
I am offering an Appreciative Living learning Circle, beginning April 23rd. You can learn more about it here. As readers of my blog, I am happy to offer you a 20% off coupon to join the circle, click here to access it. Please contact me with any questions you have about the circle!