I draw on many processes and tools in my work. The three described below are my favourites. They engage participants, produce surprising insights, foster innovation & deliver outstanding results.
Story has no limits. It’s like the swiss army knife of facilitation. Though most people think of it as a way to push information, I find that it’s often most valuable as a research tool, because it generates incredibly rich data – more so than surveys or focus groups. It’s also particularly effective at surfacing hidden expertise. As a way to mobilize knowledge and experience, stories are easy to harvest, analyze, share, understand and remember. They create meaningful and memorable experiences, while strengthening new and existing relationships.
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a qualitative, action-research methodology that challenges traditional problem- solving approaches to management and change. Instead of concentrating energy and resources on resolving problems (what is not working), the process guides participants to build on existing strengths to achieve a desired outcome (what they really want). AI has been used successfully by large organizations, such as GTE/Verizon, British Airways, the US Navy, Canadian Tire, the EPA and the United Nations.
AI has become the underlying framework for all my work, as it has never failed to lead to the achievement of positive goals (while addressing existing problems). The best thing about the process is that it’s easy to learn, which makes it transferable to any organization or group.
Engagement by Design is a set of 10 guidelines I generated as a result of my graduate research into adult learner engagement. They summarize several decades of secondary research and my own primary research, working with a national bank. Key tenets include the need for challenge, relevance, safety, social connections and adequate time. I’ve found the guidelines applicable to a broad set of contexts and use them as explicit design criteria in my strategic and tactical planning.
