It is never too late to learn a new skill or approach to how you face routine or more complex issues in business. Quite often it could be just about putting a little bit more structure to the way you currently do things in order to drive consistency across your business. The opportunity to attend, listen and learn about Appreciative Inquiry (AI) became available and after over 40 years in construction we wanted to hear about AI in the Health Sector. It confirmed a lot of my own values and beliefs, but also gave me more structure which is important when looking to support my clients with a new process or to learn new behaviours.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) helps staff and partners/contractors to identify what is already working well and how to do more of it.  It is the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system’s capacity to fulfill its positive potential. AI starts from an organisation or group’s existing strengths, rather than looking for problems that need to be ‘fixed’.  The very act of engaging in AI builds morale, wellbeing, and a positive culture in addition to producing great actionable ideas and a buy in to ensuring that they happen.  It has been used by an enormous range of organisations from health services to mining companies!

Evidence from a steel mill trying to improve safety performance underscores how organisations go in the direction of what they ask the most questions about . . . Conversations dramatically shape individual and collective behaviour.  The conversations were designed and facilitated to prepare for an AI summit; however the safety improved soon after the conversations started, and including nearly all voices in the system led to better connections and significant behaviour changes.    Ron Fry 2012

It can be used for team building and away days and for strategic planning.  We have recently been part of an award wining programme supporting patient safety in the NHS www.appreciatingpeople.co.uk/learning-excellence-works-wins-patient-safety-award/

In our work with AI we always include a section on people’s strengths. Initially there’s often some discomfort, or even resistance, because – as a culture – we’re very unused to talking about things we do well and what we’re good at. It takes some time and encouragement for people to feel fluent talking about their strengths.  Knowing our own strengths and encouraging others to be more aware of theirs is a skill well worth having as we move through life and work. The VIA Institute on Character provides the only free, scientific survey on character strengths – if you’re interested in developing your knowledge of your own strengths, please contact us via our website contact details. Transform a team meeting or one-to-one session by starting it with each person talking about one of their strengths, and how they used it at work recently – try it!

AI discovers people’s exceptionality – their unique gifts, strengths, and qualities. It searches  and recognises people for their specialties – their essential contributions and achievements.

From: Appreciative Inquiry: Change at the Speed of Imagination
by Jane Watkins, Ralph Kelly & Bernard Mohr

We are frequently being asked to train staff in AI to support quality improvement programmes, so if you want to know more then please do not hesitate to contact us for a consultancy.

Appreciative Inquiry will help shape a more positive culture across your business and start removing the blame culture which prevents so much progress in all aspects of business. AI focuses attention on the positive; it changes the dynamics and conversations to drive real change and celebrates what we do well to address the issues of the day. It is another simple tool to make the positive change we all want to see in our industry and our own business. Alleviate Consulting Limited would be delighted to share more with you to provide support in the introduction of the AI principles into your business for a brighter, more positive, sustainable future.