1. Strengths-based, inclusive strategic planning. To build a future vision that everyone can feel part of, you need a format that can discover and build on those strengths and generates enthusiasm and energy at the same time. You don’t have to sell the resulting vision or get ‘buy-in’ – the participants already own it because they have been involved in building it.
2. Addressing specific issues (e.g. better meetings, improving collaboration, enhancing morale) by discovering and building on existing best practice within the team (and outside it too), and encouraging generative thinking from all participants. The inclusion of diverse points of view acts as a ‘reality check’ to ensure new ideas will work in practice.
3. Team building. The AI format encourages participants to open up and let go of defensiveness and ‘advocacy’ of entrenched viewpoints, so team members are able to share more of their real selves with colleagues.
4. Developing an appreciative coaching culture. Analysis by Marcial Losada of conversations within business teams suggests that high performing teams have a ratio of 5.6 positive interactions to 1 negative; low performing teams have a ratio of only 0.4 positive to every negative. Making your culture more appreciative leads to improved performance.