Appreciative Inquiry (AI), conceived by David Cooperrider, is a powerful process for creating positive change in organizations and individuals.  AI is a positive, uplifting process that involves many people in an organization collaborating to redefine and create a new vision for that organization.  Participants come away from this process more enthusiastic, hopeful and far more engaged in their organizations than prior to the AI effort.  AI employs a 5D process of Defining the topic of inquiry, Discovering the best in people and organizations, Dreaming what could be, Designing the steps to actualizing the dream, and Delivering the results.

Applications: Appreciative Inquiry initiatives within organizations include:

• Coaching individuals and teams
• Culture change initiatives
• Change management
• Diversity initiatives
• Employee engagement
• Team-building sessions
• Union-management relationships
• Visioning

I had the good fortune to be mentored by the pioneers of Appreciative Inquiry, David Cooperrider, Professor at Case Western University, Diane Whitney with the Taos Institute, and Jane Magruder Watkins with Appreciative Inquiry Unlimited.   They supported the GTE/Verizon Culture Council and our internal team of consultants in designing and implementing a large-scale culture change initiative in a business unit of 60,000 employees.

Over a period of years I worked side by side with these consultants, our executive leadership and numerous teams in a strong union environment to shift the company culture from low morale and engagement to high morale and high engagement.  I gained deep experience in applying Appreciative Inquiry concepts and practices to managing change, employee engagement, coaching, team-building, union-management relations, and leadership development.

Following are a list workshops and sessions using Appreciative Inquiry concepts and methods:

Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry  This seminar explains the key components of Appreciative Inquiry and introduces participants to the basic Appreciative Inquiry Interview process.

Appreciative Coaching Skills Training for Organizations – A workshop for aspiring or seasoned coaches and leaders, this highly experiential, interactive session introduces the Appreciative Inquiry Coaching Model, AI Principles and coaching skills.

Appreciative Coaching Skills Training Programs for Coaches  (Webinar Series)  This highly experiential, interactive webinar series introduces the Appreciative Inquiry Coaching Model, AI Principles and coaching skills.

“…during this course I acquired a new client and in our very first session … I used the AI interview concept to help her open up.  It was amazing!!  First of all, it sealed our relationship by making her completely at ease with coaching, which she had never done before.  She came to me because of some issues she is having in managing her staff.  Using the AI method transformed our conversations from solving problems (negative) to capitalizing on opportunities (positive).”  Student, University of Texas at Dallas

Appreciative Inquiry Consulting, Interventions and Applications for Positive Change in Organizations  This experiential workshop introduces participants to the Appreciative Inquiry intervention process for leading teams through change.  Participants experience a full AI process and work on personal projects for their organizations and clients.

Workshop Leader:  Geri England, creator of the Discover Your Story to Success© System is an Appreciative Inquiry Consultant, Coach and Facilitator, trained through the Taos Institute.  She received in-depth mentoring and training from the founder of Appreciative Inquiry, David Cooperrider, Professor, Case Western University and two early pioneers and innovators in the use Appreciative Inquiry, Diana Whitney, President of the Corporation for Positive Change and Jane Magruder Watkins, Principal in Appreciative Inquiry Limited.  Geri has taught courses on Coaching with Appreciative Inquiry at the University of Texas at Dallas for the past ten years.

Geri “wears many hats” as a business owner, speaker, author, educator, business and story coach and organization development consultant.  She uses the power of Appreciative Inquiry and storytelling to help clients identify their strengths and leverage their stories of success to create a positive future and greater engagement.  She leads both team and leadership development processes and helps leaders achieve personal breakthroughs and apply smart strategies for business and career growth.