[Ailist] Conversations That Help Each Other Flourish

[Mike Sands]

I recently put on a 2 hour workshop for a regional Unitarian Conference.  The program was entitled "Conversations That Help Each Other Flourish". There were 17 attendees.

I have done other workshops before - but this one reached a new level of success: success in helping individuals "feel" the personal elevation in energy levels, optimism levels, and connection that can come from a caring, intentional, skillful interview that is aimed at bringing into awarenss personal happy memories.

There were two excercises - both were "one with one" interviews. The first one was called "Conversations that Assist Problem Solving" and the second exercise was called "An Appeciative Inquiry"  The first exercise is a little long to descibe here - but if anyone would like more info I be happy to share it.  The second ecercise was really just asking each other "Tell me about a time you had a wonderful time" Altogether each person had an opportunity to be the host and the "guest"in both situations and each way took 20 minutes - and we had a bit of theory about how to ask questions that extend the "guests" experience of  remembering and narrating happy memories - including the idea that it is the listening that can make the difference, the value of an audience. ("Happy" sounds so puny - in the program we suggested several other words they could use  - inspirational, successful, engaging -- and I had the group suggest some other possible ideas for words that drew out experiences that have illuminated lives) 

It was clear that the attendess were moved, had novel useful experiences.  One couple was a husband and wife (of many years) and it was fun to see them find a really new game to play.

My own guess is that it would take about three such workshops to give a "newbie" a sustainable level of skill and interest.

We did not get to the questions - Without being humble what is it about you that made these situations so successful and what wishes would you have for the group - we just didn't have time. They are powerful useful qustions.



Mike

I look forward to putting on similar workshops for organizations and businesses.  It has enormous potential to open new comfort, connectivity, creativity and effectiveness and could easily be a "thin edge of the wedge" way to introduce some of the fundamentals and beneifts of AI to an organization. I am currently trying to sell a three session program to a senior's centre..