[Ailist] Suggestions Please

Sat Nov 8 11:19:10 MST 2008

Dear Francis and colleagues: I really like the notion of asking people about
their dreams. I've been pondering the brain sciences a bit lately and here's
the addition I make to the questions.... If we say, "What is your dream for
this company," what we will likely get is the left brain answer that is also
more likely to be similar to a list. I'm even pondering the notion idea that
in our left brains, we only know what we already know. Sooooo, when we ask
people about dreams, be sure to introduce the questions with stuff that
evokes images, stories, and such so that we help them access the right
brain, home of our creativity and imagination. Since the left brain has
language and the right doesn't, it's important to evoke for them the images
and creative notions of their most desired future. So from "What does your
dream job LOOK like" does the trick. It evokes images. Tell me a story;
describe a time; etc. Just something I've been thinking about because it
comes up in our teaching quite regularly. There really is an "art" to AI
questions after all! It's sort of like if you can dream it, you can do it!
And to quote our President elect: "Yes you can!"

Jane Magruder Watkins & Ralph Kelly
Appreciative Inquiry Unlimited
An Organization Development Center for Teaching, Consulting and Mentoring

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www.appreciativeinquiryunlimited.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu
[mailto:ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu] On Behalf Of Franki Briers
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 6:16 PM
To: zebwats at gmail.com; ai list
Subject: RE: [Ailist] Suggestions Please

Hi Zeb,

I have just read an awesome book called "The Dream Manager."  Short, easy to
read (most of it takes the form of a story), such a simple concept, and
amazing.  If you have time to read it before or after this 1 day programme
then I think you may get a lot out of it.  I think anyone who likes AI will
love it (and I promise I don't know the author, it's just that good!).

Looking at your list of four points, they all look to me like they are
essentialy about leadership - of self and others.  They also look like great
areas of enquiry for creating a great place to work.  I find myself
wondering:  If you simply asked these senior managers what their dream job
would look like, their dream company,their dream organisation, their dream
relationships; then, if they take it seriously (and playfully!) they will
likely come up with answers to all four points in a really inspiring way.
For that matter, it may inspire them to go back and start asking others what
their dreams look like.  As we who use AI know, merely the asking of
questions can dramatically shift, not only our conversations but the world
we live in.

The best of luck, whatever approach you take.

Rev. Francis Briers

> Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 12:05:55 +0530
> From: zebwats at gmail.com
> To: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
> Subject: [Ailist] Suggestions Please
> 
> I am going to facilitate a one-day programme for very seniro executives of
> an organisation.   The focus of the meeting are
> 
> 1. Organisation restructuring
> 2. Leadership for empowerment
> 3. Conquering the culture of indecision
> 4. Enabling environment for tapping people potential
> 
> I want to use AI approach in this programme.  Any suggestions on how I can
> go about it.
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> Zeb
> Principal Consultant
> AUI Consultants
> Mysore - India
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The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles
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