Appreciative Inquiry at a Glance
Appreciative Inquiry is an attributes-based approach that can be used to facilitate reflective conversations as part of the ongoing dialogue between mentors and colleagues.
At the core of Appreciative Inquiry is the belief that all participants come to mentoring relationships possessing many strengths and that by building on these assets, the answers to the issues and challenges they face can be collaboratively constructed.
This thinking is why we always begin with an examination of what is working well in current practice (themes of success). Many of these themes can then be applied as actual strategies to collaboratively address specific challenges and issues.
Appreciative Inquiry Conversation Map at a Glance
Themes of Success
- Thinking about your commitment to making a difference for all learners...tell a story about the best experience you’ve had in your role?
- What lessons did you learn that continue to be important to you personally and professionally?
Issues and Challenges
- What issues you are encountering? (i.e. What are the stones in your shoe?)
- Looking ahead, what are the wishes you have for your role?
Collaborative Strategy Harvest of Ideas
- What specific ideas, strategies, and resources are you considering to address the issue or concerns expressed?
- So What / Now What – share an individual action plan of possible next steps (next day / next week / next month)
This approach supports engagement in meaningful mentoring conversations. Imagine asking the teacher you are mentoring about the best thing that happened in their classroom, the challenges they are facing and how we might collaborate to address these issues.