Engaging in Generative Conversations

The power of questions and storytelling was brought to light yesterday as a group from Axiom News tuned into a webinar presented by Appreciative Inquiry (AI) guru Ronald Fry.

Fry explained six principles of AI:

• Words create worlds: the Constructionist Principle refers to the power of language and the ability to predict where people are headed by listening to their conversations.
• Questions are fateful: the Principle of Simultaneity says change begins with the questions we ask.
• We move in the direction of the things we study: the Poetic Principle says if you study it you will find it.
• To create change, change the image of the future, according to the Anticipatory Principle.
• The Positive Principle states that positive images create positive actions.
• And the Narrative Principle is that stories unite across boundaries and generations and help connect people.

He shared how a steel mill company went through the AI process with an interesting outcome, proving that change begins with inquiry. The company saw a change in its safety ratings after completing a round of AI interviews, instead of at the end of the process, as predicted.

The interviews asked employees to tell a story about when they prevented an accident, felt their workplace was safe and to envision a year ahead and the company is the best in workplace safety.

Having employees go through these questions lead to behavioural changes. So what would happen if organizations engaged in purposeful questions on a frequent basis? The conversations have the power to start the change, and conversations around a shared image of the future would encourage people mobilize towards the path to achieve that vision.