Appreciative Inquiry - Shaping Our Destiny
At Growth Pod, we believe that organisations have the power to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation. That's why we love Appreciative Inquiry (AI), a powerful tool designed by David Cooperrider. AI helps us shift our focus from problems to possibilities, allowing us to positively shape our destiny. In this post, we want to share a success story where we used AI to support a large organisation in redefining their ways of working. By embracing this transformative approach, they were able to create a future where every employee's voice was heard and valued. Let's dive in!
A Shift to Hybrid Working and its Challenges
We were approached by a large organisation with a pressing concern. Their 16,000 employees had embraced the concept of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking it quite literally. Now, the senior leadership team wanted everyone to transition back to their hybrid working model. However, they faced numerous challenges and were worried about the difficulties this change would bring.
Flipping the Approach
To tackle this exciting opportunity, we decided to reframe the narrative through the power of Appreciative Inquiry. We started with the belief that change should not be done to people; instead, it should be done with them. Research has shown that when individuals are involved in the change process, they are more likely to embrace it and contribute to its success. Bravely, the organisation agreed to our approach.
Define: Setting the Affirmative Topic
The first step in the Appreciative Inquiry process is to define the affirmative topic. We asked the question: "When you are all working in a way that serves you, your team, your organisation, and your customers, what would that look like and how would it feel?" We gave every staff member an opportunity to answer this question and dug deeper through focus groups, encouraging them to share their thoughts and aspirations.?
Discover: Leveraging the Best of the Past
Next, we explored the best of the past. We uncovered the strengths and best practices that existed when the organisation was functioning at its best. By identifying these positive elements, we were able to understand what needed to be retained and built upon in the transition to hybrid working. This process allowed us to tap into the collective wisdom of the employees and acknowledge the value of their experiences.
Dream: Visualising the Ideal Future
The third step, dreaming, took us on a deep exploration of what hybrid working would look like for the individuals, their teams, the organisation, and their customers. We encouraged everyone to visualise the details: their work environment, customer engagement, mentoring junior staff, and more. This exercise sparked innovative thinking and provided a clear vision for the future.
Design: Creating Options for Success
With the dream in mind, we empowered the staff to design options that would lead to the realisation of that vision. Their creativity and ingenuity amazed us as they came up with incredible suggestions and ideas. This collaborative design process ensured that everyone had a stake in shaping the future ways of working.
Deploy: Putting the Plan into Action
Our team presented a report to the senior leadership team that captured the ideas and recommendations generated through the AI process. This report served as a roadmap for the transition to hybrid working, guiding project teams in implementing the proposed changes. It was a pivotal moment where the aspirations of the employees began to take shape.
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Drumming: Sustaining Momentum
The drumming phase recognises the importance of sustaining momentum. The final step, drumming, means that we didn't stop at Appreciative Inquiry; we kept doing it. The organisation continued the conversations, secured feedback, and made iterative improvements to the project. This ongoing commitment to AI ensured that positive changes were maintained and progress continued long after the initial implementation.
Let's Plant the Seed ??
Are you ready to tap into the power of Appreciative Inquiry in your organisation?
Start by identifying an affirmative topic that inspires and engages your employees. Ask yourself: "When we are all working in a way that serves us, our teams, our organisation, and our customers, what would that look like and how would it feel?" Engage your staff in answering this question, and empower them to dream and design the future together. By including everyone's voice, you'll create a workplace culture where meaningful change and positive possibilities flourish.
Remember, successful transformation comes when people feel heard, valued, and actively involved in shaping their own future. Implementing Appreciative Inquiry can be a catalyst for building a strong, innovative, and flourishing organisation.
Conclusion
Through our experience with Appreciative Inquiry, we witnessed how this incredible tool strengthens the future of working. By embracing AI, the organisation empowered its employees, harnessed their collective wisdom, and created a hybrid working model that truly reflected their aspirations. Each person felt a sense of ownership and pride in the new ways of working they had co-created, leading to increased engagement and productivity. At Growth Pod, we invite you to explore the potential of Appreciative Inquiry and join us in shaping positive workplace cultures that thrive.
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