AppreciativeInquiryStrengths-based approach to information literacy instruction
Alan CarberyLindsey Godwin
QuestionsforReflection
ExceptionalmomentsThinkaboutatimewhenyoufeltthatyourlibraryfeltlikeanexceptionallearningenvironmentforyourpatrons.Remembertheemotionsyouhadwhenyouwereabletoworkonsomethingyouwereexcitedaboutorproudof.Whatwasgoingonatthattime,andwhy itwassuchahighpointforyou?
OurSocietyFocuseson“Problems”
Lookacrosssocietyandyouwillfindthatmostofourtheories,media,andresearchreliesonadeficit-based
mindset.
Mostschools,companies,familiesandorganizationsfunctiononanunwrittenrule…Let’sfixwhat’swrongandletthestrengthstakecareofthemselves.
What is Appreciative Inquiry?
• A philosophy and way of looking at the world
• A strength-based framework for “positive organizational change”
• A methodology for engaging all stakeholders in
co-creation of change
#1: Inquiry and Change are NOT Separate Moments
• Inquiry IS Intervention• Our Questions Set the Stage for What We Find
Questions:•Aretheheartofanychange
•Shiftthefocusofattention,conversations,actions
•Alterthewayweseeourselvesandourwork
ConsidertheImpactofYOURQuestions
Whyarewestillhavingtheseproblems?VS.
Whatisthesmallestchangethatwouldhavethebiggestimpact?
TheArtoftheQuestion
• What’sthebiggestprobleminourorganization?
• Whydoourcustomersleave?
• Whyareemployeesdisengagedduringmeetings?
• Whydowestillhavetheseproblems?
• Whatarethemostuniqueassetswehave?
• Whatisthesmallestchangethatcouldmakethebiggestimpactforourcustomers?
• Howcanwere-envisionourmeetingstobemoreengaging?
• Whenhavewebeenproudofourorganization?
4“Classic”AreasforInquiry
• ReflectingonyourHistoryand“HighPoint”Moment
• LearningfromOthers:Exploringbestpracticesfromothers
• BuildingonWhatWeValueMost(continuityquestions)
• OurImagesoftheFuture
Considerasking…
• Moreof(notlessof)?• Tostart(notstop)?• Tocreate(notremove)?• Tosupport(notprevent)?• Toreinforce(notweaken)?
From Jackie Kelm: Appreciative Engagement
WhatdoIwant...
#2: What We Focus on Appreciates
ORMagnify and learn from
moments of highest engagement
and enthusiasm?
Do an organization survey oflow morale?
AnExampleofRe-framing
How can we recover lost baggage at lightening speed?
How can we reduce baggage loss?
How can we create outstand arrival experiences?
A Topic Can Be TRANSFORMATIONAL!
• AIPractitionerCertificationProgram• GraduateCertificateinPositiveOrganizationalDevelopment
Formoreinformation:[email protected]
When my students and I discover uncharted territory to explore, when the pathway out of a thicket opens up before us … then teaching is the finest work I know.
But at other moments, the classroom is so lifeless or painful or confused—and I am so powerless to do anything about it that my claim to be a teacher seems a transparent sham
Parker J. Palmer – The Courage to Teach
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