Appreciative Interviews
Discover the roots of success by interviewing each other about a time things went well, then finding the conditions that made it possible. Adapted from Liberating Structures (https://www.liberatingstructures.com/appreciative-interviews), licensed CC BY-NC 3.0.
3 parts · 5 phases
Interview each other about a proud success. Each person takes a turn as storyteller.
- Tell a success story
speaker: Tell a story about a time you worked on a challenge with others and were proud of what you accomplished. What made success possible?
listener: Interview your partner. Listen closely and dig a little to uncover the conditions and assets that made the success possible. Take notes.
Two pairs join. Keep your interview partner with you.
- Retell and find patterns
Each person retells their partner's story. Everyone listens for patterns in the conditions and assets that supported success, and writes them down.
- Share insights and patterns
A few people share the patterns they noticed. Then reflect together: how are we investing in the conditions that foster success, and where could we do more?