[Ailist] Re: How much theory to give

[Rob Voyle]

Hi Folks
I would agree with the "no theory" and I would also add that you do need a 
couple of good rationales up your sleeve for doing what you are doing that you 
may need to use to get buy in.  For example I was invited in as a consultant in 
the midst of conflict to do some reconciliation work.  When I invited them to start 
sharing with one another about what they valued about the organization, one 
person angrily retorted that he thought they were there to discuss the conflict. 
My response was that was exactly what we were doing and that from my 
understanding people go into conflict when a value is threatened or 
compromised.  So in order for me to understand whats going on we first needed 
to know what people valued. What I didn't tell him was that my understanding of 
the conflict was actually unimportant, but that what was important was the 
changes in people's hearts and attitudes towards one another as they began to 
talk about what they really valued.

The other thing you do need is a clear statement about the purpose of the 
gathering, stated positively, and a brief rationale for why doing an exercise such 
as inteviews of dreaming etc. will help achieve the purpose.

Rob
  
Robert J. Voyle, Psy.D.
Director, Clergy Leadership Institute
For Coaching and Training in Appreciative Inquiry
Author: Core Elements of the Appreciative Way 
http://www.clergyleadership.com/
503-647-2378 or 503-647-2382    

On 6 Aug 2007 at 16:44, Nlogilvie at aol.com wrote:

> I agree with the "no theory" before stories -- and I sometimes tell
> a story 
> or two from successful cases that are relevant to the audience,
> sharing the 
> results of focusing on the positive.
>  
> Nancy Ogilvie
> Inspiring Results
> 510-825-3125
> www.inspiring-results.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the
> all-new AOL at 
> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
> _______________________________________________
> The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David
> Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain
> is the list administrator. For subscription information, go to:
> http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist
>