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Navigating the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle

EXPLORE THE PROCESS THAT FUELS POSITIVE CHANGE

Appreciative Inquiry’s (AI) 5-D Cycle is a transformative approach that fosters collaboration, growth, and innovation through strengths-based inquiry. This self-paced course provides an in-depth exploration of the Define, Discover, Dream, Design, and Destiny phases – equipping you with the knowledge and tools to lead transformative change in any setting.

WHY THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY 5-D CYCLE MATTERS

The image consists of the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle which is used when facilitating AI sessions through the 5 phases: Define, Discover, Dream, Design, and Destiny.The AI 5-D Cycle is a proven framework for unlocking potential, fostering positive change by leveraging strengths, engaging diverse perspectives, and inspiring action. It provides a structured yet flexible process that supports individuals and organizations in identifying opportunities, envisioning possibilities, and designing pathways toward sustainable success. The AI 5-D Cycle builds on what is working well to generate meaningful and lasting impact across personal growth, team dynamics, leadership development, and organizational transformation.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

Whether you are new to Appreciative Inquiry or looking to deepen your practice, this self-directed course offers real-world applications to enhance engagement, foster sustainable change, and spark creativity in both personal and professional settings. Through interactive exercises and reflection, you will explore how to integrate the AI 5-D Cycle into leadership, team dynamics, coaching, and daily interactions.

  • Deepen Your AI Practice – Gain insights into the Define, Discover, Dream, Design, and Destiny phases, how they interconnect, and how they are supported by the Appreciative Inquiry Principles.
  • Reframe Challenges into Opportunities – Shift from fixing problems to co-creating possibilities. Apply AI methodologies to problem-solving, strategy development, and innovation.
  • Create Meaningful Engagement – Discover techniques to foster inclusive dialogue and collaborative action.
  • Sustainable Change & Strategic Implementation – Develop strategies to implement Appreciative Inquiry in a way that ensures lasting results. Turn aspirations into action.
  • Practical AI Tools & Techniques – Apply AI methodologies to real-world challenges across personal and professional settings.

THE AI 5-D CYCLE: A CLOSER LOOK

This course consists of five lessons, each dedicated to one phase of the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle. Each lesson offers hands-on exercises, real-world applications, actionable strategies, and reflection prompts to deepen your understanding and application of the cycle in a meaningful way.

Symbol representing the Define Phase of the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle

Lesson 1: DEFINE

Establishes a clear focus for inquiry is essential for guiding meaningful change. This phase helps identify key areas for transformation and emphasizes how the way a question is framed influences what is explored and discovered.

Symbol representing the Discover Phase of the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle

Lesson 2: DISCOVER

By uncovering strengths, best practices, and past successes, this phase builds on what is already working well. Through storytelling and appreciative interviews, participants gain deeper insights and illuminate new opportunities for growth and expansion.

Symbol representing the Dream Phase of the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle

Lesson 3: DREAM

Encourages envisioning bold possibilities and co-creating aspirational goals for the future. By fostering creativity and aligning vision with shared purpose, participants generate new pathways for innovation and change.

Symbol representing the Design Phase of the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle

Lesson 4: DESIGN

Translating vision into action requires careful planning and consideration of available resources. This phase focuses on developing practical steps, assessing necessary supports, and structuring solutions that turn aspirations into reality.

Symbol representing the Destiny Phase of the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle

Lesson 5: DESTINY

Sustaining positive change involves continuous reflection, collaboration, and adaptation. This phase explores ways to embed Appreciative Inquiry into everyday practices, ensuring long-term impact and lasting transformation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand and apply each phase of the AI 5-D process.
  • Use AI to foster positive transformation in teams, organizations, and communities.
  • Facilitate strengths-based conversations that spark engagement and innovation.
  • Reframe challenges and develop actionable strategies using strengths-based approaches.
  • Strengthen leadership skills through appreciative, future-focused visioning.
  • Integrate AI methodologies into daily practices for sustainable impact.

WHO SHOULD ENROLL?

This course is ideal for leaders, HR professionals, coaches, facilitators, educators, consultants, and anyone looking to apply strengths-based approaches to foster engagement, collaboration, and innovation in various settings.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

DELIVERY FORMAT

Navigating the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle is a self-directed course with no required live or virtual sessions. Enjoy the flexibility to access materials, complete activities, and apply AI techniques whenever and wherever it works best for you.

Designed for diverse learning styles, this course incorporates text, graphics, videos, and downloadable activities. All materials are available online through LearnDash, the Center for Appreciative Inquiry’s learning management system. To support your learning experience, we have created a series of instructional videos designed to help you navigate LearnDash and maximize its features.

COURSE ACCESS

Gain immediate access to the Navigating the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle course upon registration. Course access remains available for one (1) year from the date of registration. During this time, participants are encouraged to log into LearnDash to download and save all materials, activities, and resources for future reference.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Certificates of Completion are available to all participants. To obtain a letter, participants must complete the training and submit course feedback. Certificates of Completion include the participant’s name, the name of the completed course, and the number of training hours offered by the course. The Navigating the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle self-directed course offers 8 training hours.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Do you have questions, need assistance with registration, want to inquire about group rates, or request a private training session for your team or organization? If so, please email Kathy Becker at Kathy@CenterForAppreciativeInquiry.net.

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Conversations Worth Having Trainer Certification

TRANSFORM CONVERSATIONS AS A CWH TRAINER

Step into a world where conversations spark connection, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change. The Conversations Worth Having (CWH) Trainer Certification program equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead impactful workshops that transform the way individuals and organizations communicate. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional offerings or empower your team, this certification prepares you to teach transformative communication skills and create thriving environments.

CWH TRAINER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Transform the way individuals and organizations connect, communicate, and thrive through meaningful conversations. The CWH Trainer Certification program is a dynamic and highly experiential course designed to help you lead impactful workshops that foster authentic dialogue, strengthen relationships, and inspire transformational change.

Grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, positive psychology, and neuroscience, this program empowers you to create environments where people feel heard, valued, and inspired. You’ll gain the tools to address and navigate challenges, invite collaboration, and spark innovative solutions. As a certified CWH Trainer, you’ll play a vital role in cultivating leadership, fostering strong connections, and transforming obstacles into opportunities for meaningful growth.

CWH CERTIFICATION OPTIONS & OVERVIEW

Choose from two certification pathways to align with your goals: SINGLE CWH Certification or DUAL CWH Certification. Both options enable you to officially deliver the Conversations Worth Having Bootcamps, in part or in its entirety, offering the flexibility to tailor your approach to meet a variety of needs.

EXPLORE EACH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM…

Click on the program name below to expand the section and view detailed information, including an overview, learning objectives, prerequisites, and program duration.

Option 1: SINGLE CWH Trainer Certification
SINGLE CWH TRAINER CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW

The Single CWH Trainer Certification program equips you with the tools, insights, and confidence to deliver the transformative Conversation Bootcamp. This program will help you guide individuals, teams, and organizations in mastering intentional communication practices that foster connection, collaboration, and positive change.

As a certified trainer, you will deliver impactful workshops that teach participants two foundational Appreciative Inquiry practices — positive framing and generative questions. These practices will empower participants to craft thoughtful questions, reframe challenges, and deliver meaningful feedback. By applying the tools and techniques from this course, you will facilitate transformative conversations, strengthen relationships, and help others create environments where individuals and organizations can thrive.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

After completing the Single CWH Trainer Certification program, you will be equipped to lead transformative workshops, facilitate the Conversation Bootcamp, and empower others to cultivate thriving workplaces and communities. Through this certification, you will develop the skills to:

Through this certification program, you will develop the skills to:

  • Deliver the Conversation Bootcamp, guiding participants through its four essential modules designed to enhance communication and foster productive engagement.
  • Teach others how to apply Appreciative Inquiry principles to frame workplace challenges, ask generative questions, and unlock creativity and potential.
  • Help people reframe challenges, transforming negative or unproductive conversations into conversations worth having using a strengths-based approach.
  • Coach individuals and teams in developing the ability to seek, receive, and provide effective feedback, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
  • Guide participants in using mindfulness tools to shift from reactionary communication to intentional dialogue, creating space for meaningful and productive interactions.

PRE-REQUISITE:

To enroll in the Single CWH Trainer Certification course, participants must successfully complete of the Conversation Bootcamp.

DURATION:

The Single CWH Trainer Certification program is a 1-day, 6-hour intensive training consisting of virtual instruction and applied practice.

Option 2: DUAL CWH Trainer Certification
DUAL CWH TRAINER CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW

The Dual CWH Trainer Certification program equips you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver both the Conversation Bootcamp and the Strategic Conversations Bootcamp. This certification expands your capacity to lead transformative workshops that enhance communication, cultivate strategic thinking, and empower individuals and teams to navigate change effectively.

As a certified trainer, you will guide participants in mastering two foundational Appreciative Inquiry practices—positive framing and generative questions—to improve workplace conversations, strengthen relationships, and drive meaningful change. In addition, you will learn how to facilitate SOAR strategic conversations, engage stakeholders in whole systems thinking, and apply the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle to organizational planning and transformation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

In addition to the learning objectives covered in the Single CWH Trainer Certification program, the Dual CWH Trainer Certification further expands your ability to facilitate strategic conversations and whole systems engagement while strengthening your capacity to help individuals, teams, and organizations build stronger relationships, deepen engagement, and create thriving, future-focused workplaces.

After completing this certification program, you will gain the ability to:

Deliver both the Conversation Bootcamp and the Strategic Conversations Bootcamp, guiding participants through essential modules focused on communication, collaboration, and strategic engagement.

  • Teach others how to apply Appreciative Inquiry to frame workplace challenges, ask generative questions, and unlock creativity and innovation.
  • Facilitate SOAR strategic conversations at any level – individual, team, division, or organization – guiding participants in adopting a strengths-based approach to planning and decision-making.
  • Introduce the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle, demonstrating how it engages whole systems in meaningful and impactful conversations for strategic change.
  • Empower teams to embrace whole systems thinking, engaging multiple stakeholders in conversations that drive organizational success.
  • Teach effective feedback strategies, cultivating a culture of continuous learning, growth, and engagement.
  • Explore and facilitate whole systems engagement processes, including Design Thinking, World Café, and Open Space Technology, to support large-scale collaboration and innovation.

PRE-REQUISITE:

To enroll in the Dual CWH Trainer Certification program, you must have completed both the Conversation Bootcamp and the Strategic Conversations Bootcamp (available live or on-demand).

DURATION:

The Dual CWH Certification Program is a 2-day, 12-hour intensive virtual training, providing hands-on instruction, applied practice, and expert facilitation techniques.

CWH CERTIFICATION DATES & TIMES

SINGLE CERTIFICATION

Conversations Worth Having (CWH) Certification

DUAL CERTIFICATION

CWH Certification &

Strategic Conversations Certification

Thurs., Oct. 23, 2025

Thurs. & Fri., Oct. 23-24, 2025

7:00am-1:00pm PDT

10:00am-4:00pm EDT

7:00am-1:00pm PDT

10:00am-4:00pm EDT

BENEFITS OF CWH CERTIFICATION

Enrolling in the CWH Trainer Certification course provides you with everything you need to confidently teach Conversations Worth Having and facilitate the bootcamps for which you are certified. From comprehensive training materials to ongoing professional support, you’ll gain the tools, resources, and community connections to successfully implement and deliver these transformative programs.

AS A PARTICIPANT:

When you enroll in the CWH Certification course, you gain access to a comprehensive suite of resources designed to support your success. Your registration includes:

  • Minimum of one-year (1) access to the latest online training materials.
  • CWH Training PowerPoint slides and agendas.
  • Participant workbook.
  • CWH Study Guide.
  • CWH WoJo.
  • Case studies, stories, and activities.
  • CWH Bootcamp videos.
  • Certificate of Completion template.
  • CWH marketing and promotional materials.
  • Ability to co-brand materials.
  • CWHConnect Calls: Community of Practice (connect, share, and learn among CWH trainers).
  • Consulting and training referrals.
AS A CERTIFIED CWH TRAINER:

Beyond the benefits of your certification course, becoming a certified CWH trainer unlocks exclusive opportunities to expand your impact, enhance your professional credibility, and connect with a thriving community. You will also enjoy:

  • A profile listing on the CWH Institute website.
  • Opportunity to work with the CWH Community in ways that may increase professional exposure, credibility, and residual income.
  • Opportunity to submit open trainings through The Center for Appreciative Inquiry and CWH Institute website.
  • A SOAR profile to help you better understand your natural capacity for strategic thinking, planning, and leading (available to participants enrolled in dual CWH certification for Strategic Conversations).

CERTIFICATION DESIGNED FOR

The CWH Trainer Certification is ideal for professionals from a wide range of industries, including:

  • Managers & Program Directors looking to enhance leadership communication, team engagement, and workplace culture.
  • Educators & Professors looking to integrate appreciative communication techniques into teaching, advising, and student development.
  • Consultants & HR Professionals looking to help organizations cultivate positive workplace relationships and improve team dynamics.
  • Healthcare & Wellness Professionals looking to strengthen patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and team communication.
  • Training & Development Specialists looking to design and deliver engaging, transformative learning experiences.
  • Non-Profit & Community Leaders looking to inspire change, mobilize communities, and foster inclusive dialogue.
  • Coaches, Counselors & Clinicians looking to support clients in developing strengths-based communication and problem-solving skills.

METHOD OF DELIVERY

Conversations Worth Having Trainer Certification courses are delivered live via Zoom and recorded for later review and continued learning. You can join these interactive sessions from any device—computer, tablet, or mobile—using the connection method that works best for you. Your trainers will email you a week prior to the event with additional program details to ensure you feel prepared, supported, and ready for an engaging and meaningful learning experience.

PROGRAM OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH

Conversations Worth Having logo consists of two speech bubbles overlapping one another with the acronym CWH written which stands for Conversations Worth Having.

Conversations Worth Having Trainer Certification

TRANSFORM CONVERSATIONS AS A CWH TRAINER

Step into a world where conversations spark connection, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change. The Conversations Worth Having (CWH) Trainer Certification program equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to lead impactful workshops that transform the way individuals and organizations communicate. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional offerings or empower your team, this certification prepares you to teach transformative communication skills and create thriving environments.

CWH TRAINER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Transform the way individuals and organizations connect, communicate, and thrive through meaningful conversations. The CWH Trainer Certification program is a dynamic and highly experiential course designed to help you lead impactful workshops that foster authentic dialogue, strengthen relationships, and inspire transformational change.

Grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, positive psychology, and neuroscience, this program empowers you to create environments where people feel heard, valued, and inspired. You’ll gain the tools to address and navigate challenges, invite collaboration, and spark innovative solutions. As a certified CWH Trainer, you’ll play a vital role in cultivating leadership, fostering strong connections, and transforming obstacles into opportunities for meaningful growth.

CWH CERTIFICATION OPTIONS & OVERVIEW

Choose from two certification pathways to align with your goals: SINGLE CWH Certification or DUAL CWH Certification. Both options enable you to officially deliver the Conversations Worth Having Bootcamps, in part or in its entirety, offering the flexibility to tailor your approach to meet a variety of needs.

EXPLORE EACH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM…

Click on the program name below to expand the section and view detailed information, including an overview, learning objectives, prerequisites, and program duration.

Option 1: SINGLE CWH Trainer Certification
SINGLE CWH TRAINER CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW

The Single CWH Trainer Certification program equips you with the tools, insights, and confidence to deliver the transformative Conversation Bootcamp. This program will help you guide individuals, teams, and organizations in mastering intentional communication practices that foster connection, collaboration, and positive change.

As a certified trainer, you will deliver impactful workshops that teach participants two foundational Appreciative Inquiry practices — positive framing and generative questions. These practices will empower participants to craft thoughtful questions, reframe challenges, and deliver meaningful feedback. By applying the tools and techniques from this course, you will facilitate transformative conversations, strengthen relationships, and help others create environments where individuals and organizations can thrive.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

After completing the Single CWH Trainer Certification program, you will be equipped to lead transformative workshops, facilitate the Conversation Bootcamp, and empower others to cultivate thriving workplaces and communities. Through this certification, you will develop the skills to:

Through this certification program, you will develop the skills to:

  • Deliver the Conversation Bootcamp, guiding participants through its four essential modules designed to enhance communication and foster productive engagement.
  • Teach others how to apply Appreciative Inquiry principles to frame workplace challenges, ask generative questions, and unlock creativity and potential.
  • Help people reframe challenges, transforming negative or unproductive conversations into conversations worth having using a strengths-based approach.
  • Coach individuals and teams in developing the ability to seek, receive, and provide effective feedback, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
  • Guide participants in using mindfulness tools to shift from reactionary communication to intentional dialogue, creating space for meaningful and productive interactions.

PRE-REQUISITE:

To enroll in the Single CWH Trainer Certification course, participants must successfully complete of the Conversation Bootcamp.

DURATION:

The Single CWH Trainer Certification program is a 1-day, 6-hour intensive training consisting of virtual instruction and applied practice.

Option 2: DUAL CWH Trainer Certification
DUAL CWH TRAINER CERTIFICATION OVERVIEW

The Dual CWH Trainer Certification program equips you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deliver both the Conversation Bootcamp and the Strategic Conversations Bootcamp. This certification expands your capacity to lead transformative workshops that enhance communication, cultivate strategic thinking, and empower individuals and teams to navigate change effectively.

As a certified trainer, you will guide participants in mastering two foundational Appreciative Inquiry practices—positive framing and generative questions—to improve workplace conversations, strengthen relationships, and drive meaningful change. In addition, you will learn how to facilitate SOAR strategic conversations, engage stakeholders in whole systems thinking, and apply the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle to organizational planning and transformation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

In addition to the learning objectives covered in the Single CWH Trainer Certification program, the Dual CWH Trainer Certification further expands your ability to facilitate strategic conversations and whole systems engagement while strengthening your capacity to help individuals, teams, and organizations build stronger relationships, deepen engagement, and create thriving, future-focused workplaces.

After completing this certification program, you will gain the ability to:

Deliver both the Conversation Bootcamp and the Strategic Conversations Bootcamp, guiding participants through essential modules focused on communication, collaboration, and strategic engagement.

  • Teach others how to apply Appreciative Inquiry to frame workplace challenges, ask generative questions, and unlock creativity and innovation.
  • Facilitate SOAR strategic conversations at any level – individual, team, division, or organization – guiding participants in adopting a strengths-based approach to planning and decision-making.
  • Introduce the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle, demonstrating how it engages whole systems in meaningful and impactful conversations for strategic change.
  • Empower teams to embrace whole systems thinking, engaging multiple stakeholders in conversations that drive organizational success.
  • Teach effective feedback strategies, cultivating a culture of continuous learning, growth, and engagement.
  • Explore and facilitate whole systems engagement processes, including Design Thinking, World Café, and Open Space Technology, to support large-scale collaboration and innovation.

PRE-REQUISITE:

To enroll in the Dual CWH Trainer Certification program, you must have completed both the Conversation Bootcamp and the Strategic Conversations Bootcamp (available live or on-demand).

DURATION:

The Dual CWH Certification Program is a 2-day, 12-hour intensive virtual training, providing hands-on instruction, applied practice, and expert facilitation techniques.

CWH CERTIFICATION DATES & TIMES

SINGLE CERTIFICATION

Certification to deliver

Conversation Bootcamp

DUAL CERTIFICATION

Certification to deliver Conversation and Strategic Conversations Bootcamps

Wed., May 7, 2025

Wed. & Thurs., May 7-8, 2025

7:00am-1:00pm PDT

10:00am-4:00pm EDT

7:00am-1:00pm PDT

10:00am-4:00pm EDT

BENEFITS OF CWH CERTIFICATION

Enrolling in the CWH Trainer Certification course provides you with everything you need to confidently teach Conversations Worth Having and facilitate the bootcamps for which you are certified. From comprehensive training materials to ongoing professional support, you’ll gain the tools, resources, and community connections to successfully implement and deliver these transformative programs.

AS A PARTICIPANT:

When you enroll in the CWH Certification course, you gain access to a comprehensive suite of resources designed to support your success. Your registration includes:

  • Minimum of one-year (1) access to the latest online training materials.
  • CWH Training PowerPoint slides and agendas.
  • Participant workbook.
  • CWH Study Guide.
  • CWH WoJo.
  • Case studies, stories, and activities.
  • CWH Bootcamp videos.
  • Certificate of Completion template.
  • CWH marketing and promotional materials.
  • Ability to co-brand materials.
  • CWHConnect Calls: Community of Practice (connect, share, and learn among CWH trainers).
  • Consulting and training referrals.
AS A CERTIFIED CWH TRAINER:

Beyond the benefits of your certification course, becoming a certified CWH trainer unlocks exclusive opportunities to expand your impact, enhance your professional credibility, and connect with a thriving community. You will also enjoy:

  • A profile listing on the CWH Institute website.
  • Opportunity to work with the CWH Community in ways that may increase professional exposure, credibility, and residual income.
  • Opportunity to submit open trainings through The Center for Appreciative Inquiry and CWH Institute website.
  • A SOAR profile to help you better understand your natural capacity for strategic thinking, planning, and leading (available to participants enrolled in dual CWH certification for Strategic Conversations).

CERTIFICATION DESIGNED FOR

The CWH Trainer Certification is ideal for professionals from a wide range of industries, including:

  • Managers & Program Directors looking to enhance leadership communication, team engagement, and workplace culture.
  • Educators & Professors looking to integrate appreciative communication techniques into teaching, advising, and student development.
  • Consultants & HR Professionals looking to help organizations cultivate positive workplace relationships and improve team dynamics.
  • Healthcare & Wellness Professionals looking to strengthen patient care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and team communication.
  • Training & Development Specialists looking to design and deliver engaging, transformative learning experiences.
  • Non-Profit & Community Leaders looking to inspire change, mobilize communities, and foster inclusive dialogue.
  • Coaches, Counselors & Clinicians looking to support clients in developing strengths-based communication and problem-solving skills.

METHOD OF DELIVERY

Conversations Worth Having Trainer Certification courses are delivered live via Zoom and recorded for later review and continued learning. You can join these interactive sessions from any device—computer, tablet, or mobile—using the connection method that works best for you. Your trainers will email you a week prior to the event with additional program details to ensure you feel prepared, supported, and ready for an engaging and meaningful learning experience.

PROGRAM OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH

Conversations Worth Having logo consists of two speech bubbles overlapping one another with the acronym CWH written which stands for Conversations Worth Having.

Strategic Conversations Bootcamp

DRIVE SYSTEMS CHANGE WITH STRATEGIC CONVERSATIONS

A lack of strategic thinking and planning in organizations is costly. The greatest expense is the investment of time and resources into activities that do not support company goals or the mission. In addition, employees show up, do their work, and go home. This results in missed opportunities. Without a context for their work, employees are not inspired to think or plan creatively about process improvement, innovation, or cost savings. And anyone who has tried knows, it can be a struggle to get teams to buy-in to strategic goals, much less think and work in alignment with those goals.

BOOTCAMP DATES AND TIMES:

The Strategic Conversations Bootcamp consists of two virtual sessions with each session lasting 2.5 hours. Below are the dates and times of both bootcamp sessions.

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

TUESDAY
September 16, 2025

THURSDAY
September 18, 2025

6:00am-8:30am PDT

9:00am-11:30am EDT

1:00pm-3:30pm GMT

6:00am-8:30am PDT

9:00am-11:30am EDT

1:00pm-3:30pm GMT

Please note: ALL virtual sessions for the strategic conversations bootcamp will be recorded and saved for participants who are unable to attend a scheduled webinar. Links to the recordings will be provided so that participants can view/listen to the recording at a time that works best for them.

STRATEGIC CONVERSATIONS BOOTCAMP OVERVIEW:

Develop your capacity to foster whole system strategic planning, thinking, and leading with Strategic Conversations. Organizations poised for growth and success have leaders who are adopting strategic thinking as an on-going way of doing business and strategic planning that engages employees across the whole organization as well as external stakeholders. They engage everyone in developing agile plans, cycles of experimentation and learning, innovation, and measuring actions against relevant metrics.

Strategic Conversations Bootcamp will teach you how to incorporate two powerful methodologies – SOAR and the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle – to support and develop your capacity to have strategic conversations at the level of the individual, team, division, and the whole organization or community.

BOOTCAMP MODULES

The Strategic Conversations Bootcamp consists of four (4) modules. Click on any of the module titles below to display the purpose and learning objectives for each session.

Module 1: STRATEGIC THINKING & MINDSET
STRATEGIC THINKING AND MINDSET

PURPOSE: Reassess the nature of what it means to be an organization, explore the impact of adopting a living systems mindset, and what that means when it comes to the nature of business conversation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Rethink the nature of organizations, see them as a living system, nourished by hubs of conversation and action.
  • Adopt a living systems mindset and an Appreciative Inquiry conversational framework.
  • Recognize 3 key factors for supporting strategic conversations and organizational flourishing.
  • Practice framing and asking generative questions for strategic conversations that align with a living systems mindset.
Module 2: SOAR CONVERSATIONS
SOAR CONVERSATIONS

PURPOSE: Learn how to use SOAR to frame strategic conversations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Adopt a SOAR Framework for strategic thinking and planning.
  • Experience SOAR as a positive approach for strategic conversations.
  • Practice positive framing and generative questions using SOAR at various levels in the organization.
Module 3: THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY 5-D CYCLE
THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY 5-D CYCLE

PURPOSE: Understand the importance of whole systems engagement and to explore strategic conversations at scale using the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) 5-D Cycle to engage all stakeholders in strategic planning or whole systems change.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Understand the need for whole systems engagement.
  • Understand the AI 5-D Cycle.
  • Practice framing an affirmative topic and creating an appreciative inquiry.
  • Identify opportunities to engage whole systems in strategic conversations.
Module 4: WHOLE SYSTEMS ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES
WHOLE SYSTEMS ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES

PURPOSE: Understand key factors for successful whole systems engagement and learn the basics around three popular processes for engaging large groups or whole systems in conversation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Recognize key factors to successful whole systems engagement.
  • Understand Design Thinking, World Café, and Open Space Technology.
  • Identify other resources and processes for whole systems engagement.

BOOTCAMP OUTCOMES

This bootcamp will prepare you to engage your teams in strategic conversations that can:

  • Increase productivity, engagements, and organizational effectiveness;
  • Reduce costs, misalignment, and conflicts;
  • Improve customer service levels;
  • Innovate in the face of challenges;
  • Make a positive contribution to the bottom line.

After completing this bootcamp, you will have the tools to engage teams from a whole systems perspective in conversations to:

  • Address short- and long-term challenges, systems, and innovation;
  • Explore strengths, dynamic capabilities, and opportunities;
  • Develop or re-evaluate organization’s values, vision, and mission statements;
  • Set goals, objectives, strategies, and action plans;
  • Clarify roles, relationships, and expectations;
  • Track progress through regular cycles of action learning.

ADDITIONAL BOOTCAMP INFORMATION

METHOD OF DELIVERY

These live events will be delivered and recorded using Zoom. You can participate in these live events using any device: computer, tablet, or mobile. Please participate using the dial-in method you feel most comfortable with. You will receive the meeting login information from your trainers in two separate emails. First email will be sent two weeks prior to the event; the second to be sent the day before the bootcamp.

We invite you to learn more about the CONVERSATIONS BOOTCAMP also offered in partnership with Conversations Worth Having.

SUGGESTED READING

The Conversations Worth Having (CWH) Bootcamps are built upon the book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement (2nd Edition) written by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres.

This book demonstrates how Appreciative Inquiry (AI) – one of the most widely used approaches for fostering positive change for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities – can help everyone communicate better and flourish in all areas of their lives.

Book cover for, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement

Buy Book
BOOTCAMP OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Conversations Worth Having logo consists of two speech bubbles overlapping one another with the acronym CWH written which stands for Conversations Worth Having.

Conversation Bootcamp

FUEL PRODUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT

Conversations are at the heart of everything we do and are essential to effective communications, leadership, high performing teams, and strong relationships. We know that conversations influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much they affect our well-being, the well-being of others, or the health of our organizations and communities.

Communication remains the top issue for organizations, teams, and relationships. Most people struggle to effectively communicate when they are frustrated, angry, hurt, or facing conflict. The effects of poor communication are costly and show up in organizations as:

  • Employee disengagement, malaise, and turnover;
  • Dysfunctional teams;
  • Poor performance;
  • Inability to give and receive critical feedback;
  • Negative attitudes, cliques, and gossip: a culture of “me”.

If you’re dealing with any of these outcomes, the Conversation Bootcamp from Conversations Worth Having will give you the skills and tools to turn them around. This program is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, one of the most widely used positive change approaches. Two simple Appreciative Inquiry practices can turn your entire culture around, creating a culture of conversations worth having.

BOOTCAMP DATES AND TIMES:

The Conversation Bootcamp consists of two virtual sessions with each session lasting 2.5 hours. Below are the dates and times of both bootcamp sessions.

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

TUESDAY
September 9, 2025

THURSDAY
September 11, 2025

6:00am-8:30am PDT

9:00am-11:30am EDT

1:00pm-3:30pm GMT

6:00am-8:30am PDT

9:00am-11:30am EDT

1:00pm-3:30pm GMT

Please note: ALL virtual sessions for this conversation bootcamp will be recorded and saved for participants who are unable to attend a scheduled webinar. Links to the recordings will be provided so that participants can view/listen to the recording at a time that works best for them.

CONVERSATION BOOTCAMP OVERVIEW:

The Conversation Bootcamp is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, one of the most widely used positive change approaches. Two simple Appreciative Inquiry practices – positive framing and generative questions – can turn your entire culture around, creating a culture of conversations worth having. Get the tools needed to help you establish communication practices that support productivity, engagement, high performance teams, regular feedback, positivity, and a culture of “we.”

BOOTCAMP MODULES

The Conversation Bootcamp consists of four (4) modules. Click on any of the module titles below to display the purpose and learning objectives for each session.

MODULE 1: THE POWER OF CONVERSATION
THE POWER OF CONVERSATION

PURPOSE: Understand the nature of our conversations, how they affect human being and doing, and develop your ability to choose.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Choose to be intentional with your conversations.
• Experience the nature of your conversations and the effects they have on you and others.
• Use mindfulness tools to shift reactionary communication to deliberate conversation.

MODULE 2: THE ART OF ASKING QUESTIONS
THE ART OF ASKING QUESTIONS

PURPOSE: Understand the basics of Appreciative Inquiry and improve your ability to ask generative questions to foster effective communication.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Choose curiosity over knowing and assuming.
• Experience the impact Appreciative Inquiry has on individual and organizational capacity.
• Use generative questions to shift the dynamics of personal and workplace communication problems.

MODULE 3: INTENTIONAL FRAMING
INTENTIONAL FRAMING

PURPOSE: Use positive framing to intentionally foster effective communication and continue to develop your ability to ask generative questions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Use flipping to frame workplace communication issues.
• Experience flipping negative conversations to conversations worth having.
• Develop generative questions to fuel productive and meaningful engagement around workplace challenges.

MODULE 4: STEP UP TO FEEDBACK
STEP UP TO FEEDBACK

PURPOSE: Develop the skill and the motivation to routinely seek out feedback and promptly provide effective feedback, even in the most critical of situations

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Adopt a learning mindset to support openness and interest in feedback.
• Experience and choose to change feedback avoidance patterns.
• Use effective feedback strategies with common workplace situations.

BOOTCAMP OUTCOMES

Following this bootcamp, participants will be prepared to:

  • Keep your cool when you want to explode!
  • Effectively challenge assumptions and preconceptions, including yours.
  • Deal with conflict quickly and effectively.
  • Fuel productive and meaningful engagement.
  • Communicate successfully with people who hold negative attitudes or defensive positions.
  • Give and receive critical feedback in ways that promote learning and high performance.
  • Ask the kind of questions that deepen understanding, strengthen connections, and inspire possibility.
  • Talk with colleagues in ways that invite them to collaborate on projects and strategic outcomes.
  • Listen with genuine curiosity.
  • Frame any conversation, even one around a highly complex problem, to inspire creative and innovative thinking and solutions.

ADDITIONAL BOOTCAMP INFORMATION

METHOD OF DELIVERY

These live events will be delivered and recorded using Zoom. You can participate in these live events using any device: computer, tablet, or mobile. Please participate using the dial-in method you feel most comfortable with. Additional bootcamp details will be provided by your trainers in two separate emails: the first sent two weeks prior to the event and the second one week before the bootcamp begins.

We invite you to learn more about the STRATEGIC CONVERSATION BOOTCAMP also offered in partnership with Conversations Worth Having.

SUGGESTED READING

The Conversations Worth Having (CWH) Bootcamps are built upon the book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement (2nd Edition) written by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres.

This book demonstrates how Appreciative Inquiry (AI) – one of the most widely used approaches for fostering positive change for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities – can help everyone communicate better and flourish in all areas of their lives.

Book cover for, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement

Buy Book
BOOTCAMP OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Conversations Worth Having logo consists of two speech bubbles overlapping one another with the acronym CWH written which stands for Conversations Worth Having.

Strategic Conversations Bootcamp

DRIVE SYSTEMS CHANGE WITH STRATEGIC CONVERSATIONS

A lack of strategic thinking and planning in organizations is costly. The greatest expense is the investment of time and resources into activities that do not support company goals or the mission. In addition, employees show up, do their work, and go home. This results in missed opportunities. Without a context for their work, employees are not inspired to think or plan creatively about process improvement, innovation, or cost savings. And anyone who has tried knows, it can be a struggle to get teams to buy-in to strategic goals, much less think and work in alignment with those goals.

BOOTCAMP DATES AND TIMES:

The Strategic Conversations Bootcamp consists of two virtual sessions with each session lasting 2.5 hours. Below are the dates and times of both bootcamp sessions.

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

TUESDAY
March 11, 2025

THURSDAY
March 13, 2025

9:00am-11:30am Pacific Time

12:00pm-2:30pm Eastern Time

9:00am-11:30am Pacific Time

12:00pm-2:30pm Eastern Time

Please note: ALL virtual sessions for the strategic conversations bootcamp will be recorded and saved for participants who are unable to attend a scheduled webinar. Links to the recordings will be provided so that participants can view/listen to the recording at a time that works best for them.

STRATEGIC CONVERSATIONS BOOTCAMP OVERVIEW:

Develop your capacity to foster whole system strategic planning, thinking, and leading with Strategic Conversations. Organizations poised for growth and success have leaders who are adopting strategic thinking as an on-going way of doing business and strategic planning that engages employees across the whole organization as well as external stakeholders. They engage everyone in developing agile plans, cycles of experimentation and learning, innovation, and measuring actions against relevant metrics.

Strategic Conversations Bootcamp will teach you how to incorporate two powerful methodologies – SOAR and the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle – to support and develop your capacity to have strategic conversations at the level of the individual, team, division, and the whole organization or community.

BOOTCAMP MODULES

The Strategic Conversations Bootcamp consists of four (4) modules. Click on any of the module titles below to display the purpose and learning objectives for each session.

Module 1: STRATEGIC THINKING & MINDSET
STRATEGIC THINKING AND MINDSET

PURPOSE: Reassess the nature of what it means to be an organization, explore the impact of adopting a living systems mindset, and what that means when it comes to the nature of business conversation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Rethink the nature of organizations, see them as a living system, nourished by hubs of conversation and action.
  • Adopt a living systems mindset and an Appreciative Inquiry conversational framework.
  • Recognize 3 key factors for supporting strategic conversations and organizational flourishing.
  • Practice framing and asking generative questions for strategic conversations that align with a living systems mindset.
Module 2: SOAR CONVERSATIONS
FOSTERING SOAR CONVERSATIONS

PURPOSE: Learn how to use SOAR to frame strategic conversations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Adopt a SOAR Framework for strategic thinking and planning.
  • Experience SOAR as a positive approach for strategic conversations.
  • Practice positive framing and generative questions using SOAR at various levels in the organization.
Module 3: THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY 5-D CYCLE
THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY 5-D CYCLE

PURPOSE: Understand the importance of whole systems engagement and to explore strategic conversations at scale using the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) 5-D Cycle to engage all stakeholders in strategic planning or whole systems change.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Understand the need for whole systems engagement.
  • Understand the AI 5-D Cycle.
  • Practice framing an affirmative topic and creating an appreciative inquiry.
  • Identify opportunities to engage whole systems in strategic conversations.
Module 4: WHOLE SYSTEMS ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES
WHOLE SYSTEMS ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES

PURPOSE: Understand key factors for successful whole systems engagement and learn the basics around three popular processes for engaging large groups or whole systems in conversation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Recognize key factors to successful whole systems engagement.
  • Understand Design Thinking, World Café, and Open Space Technology.
  • Identify other resources and processes for whole systems engagement.

BOOTCAMP OUTCOMES

This bootcamp will prepare you to engage your teams in strategic conversations that can:

  • Increase productivity, engagements, and organizational effectiveness;
  • Reduce costs, misalignment, and conflicts;
  • Improve customer service levels;
  • Innovate in the face of challenges;
  • Make a positive contribution to the bottom line.

Using two very powerful methodologies (SOAR and the Appreciative Inquiry 5-D Cycle), you will have the tools to engage teams from a whole system perspective in conversations to:

  • Address short- and long-term challenges, systems, and innovation;
  • Explore strengths, dynamic capabilities, and opportunities;
  • Develop or re-evaluate organization’s values, vision, and mission statements;
  • Set goals, objectives, strategies, and action plans;
  • Clarify roles, relationships, and expectations;
  • Track progress through regular cycles of action learning.

ADDITIONAL BOOTCAMP INFORMATION

METHOD OF DELIVERY

These live events will be delivered and recorded using Zoom. You can participate in these live events using any device: computer, tablet, or mobile. Please participate using the dial-in method you feel most comfortable with. You will receive the meeting login information from your trainers in two separate emails. First email will be sent two weeks prior to the event; the second to be sent the day before the bootcamp.

We invite you to learn more about the CONVERSATIONS BOOTCAMP also offered in partnership with Conversations Worth Having.

SUGGESTED READING

The Conversations Worth Having (CWH) Bootcamps are built upon the book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement (2nd Edition) written by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres.

This book demonstrates how Appreciative Inquiry (AI) – one of the most widely used approaches for fostering positive change for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities – can help everyone communicate better and flourish in all areas of their lives.

Book cover for, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement

Buy Book
BOOTCAMP OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Conversations Worth Having logo consists of two speech bubbles overlapping one another with the acronym CWH written which stands for Conversations Worth Having.

Conversation Bootcamp

FUEL PRODUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT

Conversations are at the heart of everything we do and are essential to effective communications, leadership, high performing teams, and strong relationships. We know that conversations influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much they affect our well-being, the well-being of others, or the health of our organizations and communities.

Communication remains the top issue for organizations, teams, and relationships. Most people struggle to effectively communicate when they are frustrated, angry, hurt, or facing conflict. The effects of poor communication are costly and show up in organizations as:

  • Employee disengagement, malaise, and turnover;
  • Dysfunctional teams;
  • Poor performance;
  • Inability to give and receive critical feedback;
  • Negative attitudes, cliques, and gossip: a culture of “me”.

If you’re dealing with any of these outcomes, the Conversation Bootcamp from Conversations Worth Having will give you the skills and tools to turn them around. This program is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, one of the most widely used positive change approaches. Two simple Appreciative Inquiry practices can turn your entire culture around, creating a culture of conversations worth having.

BOOTCAMP DATES AND TIMES:

The Conversation Bootcamp consists of two virtual sessions with each session lasting 2.5 hours. Below are the dates and times of both bootcamp sessions.

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

TUESDAY
March 4, 2025

THURSDAY
March 6, 2025

9:00am-11:30am Pacific Time

12:00pm-2:30pm Eastern Time

9:00am-11:30am Pacific Time

12:00pm-2:30pm Eastern Time

Please note: ALL virtual sessions for this conversation bootcamp will be recorded and saved for participants who are unable to attend a scheduled webinar. Links to the recordings will be provided so that participants can view/listen to the recording at a time that works best for them.

CONVERSATION BOOTCAMP OVERVIEW:

The Conversation Bootcamp is grounded in Appreciative Inquiry, one of the most widely used positive change approaches. Two simple Appreciative Inquiry practices – positive framing and generative questions – can turn your entire culture around, creating a culture of conversations worth having. Get the tools needed to help you establish communication practices that support productivity, engagement, high performance teams, regular feedback, positivity, and a culture of “we.”

BOOTCAMP MODULES

The Conversation Bootcamp consists of four (4) modules. Click on any of the module titles below to display the purpose and learning objectives for each session.

MODULE 1: THE POWER OF CONVERSATION
THE POWER OF CONVERSATION

PURPOSE: Understand the nature of our conversations, how they affect human being and doing, and develop your ability to choose.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Choose to be intentional with your conversations.
• Experience the nature of your conversations and the effects they have on you and others.
• Use mindfulness tools to shift reactionary communication to deliberate conversation.

MODULE 2: THE ART OF ASKING QUESTIONS
THE ART OF ASKING QUESTIONS

PURPOSE: Understand the basics of Appreciative Inquiry and improve your ability to ask generative questions to foster effective communication.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Choose curiosity over knowing and assuming.
• Experience the impact Appreciative Inquiry has on individual and organizational capacity.
• Use generative questions to shift the dynamics of personal and workplace communication problems.

MODULE 3: INTENTIONAL FRAMING
INTENTIONAL FRAMING

PURPOSE: Use positive framing to intentionally foster effective communication and continue to develop your ability to ask generative questions.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Use flipping to frame workplace communication issues.
• Experience flipping negative conversations to conversations worth having.
• Develop generative questions to fuel productive and meaningful engagement around workplace challenges.

MODULE 4: STEP UP TO FEEDBACK
STEP UP TO FEEDBACK

PURPOSE: Develop the skill and the motivation to routinely seek out feedback and promptly provide effective feedback, even in the most critical of situations

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Adopt a learning mindset to support openness and interest in feedback.
• Experience and choose to change feedback avoidance patterns.
• Use effective feedback strategies with common workplace situations.

BOOTCAMP OUTCOMES

Following this bootcamp, participants will be prepared to:

  • Keep your cool when you want to explode!
  • Effectively challenge assumptions and preconceptions, including yours.
  • Deal with conflict quickly and effectively.
  • Fuel productive and meaningful engagement.
  • Communicate successfully with people who hold negative attitudes or defensive positions.
  • Give and receive critical feedback in ways that promote learning and high performance.
  • Ask the kind of questions that deepen understanding, strengthen connections, and inspire possibility.
  • Talk with colleagues in ways that invite them to collaborate on projects and strategic outcomes.
  • Listen with genuine curiosity.
  • Frame any conversation, even one around a highly complex problem, to inspire creative and innovative thinking and solutions.

ADDITIONAL BOOTCAMP INFORMATION

METHOD OF DELIVERY

These live events will be delivered and recorded using Zoom. You can participate in these live events using any device: computer, tablet, or mobile. Please participate using the dial-in method you feel most comfortable with. Additional bootcamp details will be provided by your trainers in two separate emails: the first sent two weeks prior to the event and the second one week before the bootcamp begins.

We invite you to learn more about the STRATEGIC CONVERSATION BOOTCAMP also offered in partnership with Conversations Worth Having.

SUGGESTED READING

The Conversations Worth Having (CWH) Bootcamps are built upon the book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement (2nd Edition) written by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres.

This book demonstrates how Appreciative Inquiry (AI) – one of the most widely used approaches for fostering positive change for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities – can help everyone communicate better and flourish in all areas of their lives.

Book cover for, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement

Buy Book
BOOTCAMP OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Conversations Worth Having logo consists of two speech bubbles overlapping one another with the acronym CWH written which stands for Conversations Worth Having.

Cultivating Appreciative Presence

LIVE AUTHENTICALLY WITH APPRECIATIVE PRESENCE

Are you ready to take your Appreciative Inquiry practice to a whole new level? This ground-breaking on-demand course introduces Appreciative Presence – a transformative approach that cultivates the mindset essential for successful and impactful Appreciative Inquiry.

WHY APPRECIATIVE PRESENCE MATTERS

Many of us approach life through an “either/or” lens, where we feel compelled to choose between opposing ideas, such as focus versus openness or challenge versus appreciation. Appreciative Presence shifts this mindset to a “both-and” framework, encouraging the integration of contrasting concepts. This practice fosters adaptability and balance, allowing us to remain mindful and present during challenges while cultivating a perspective of gratitude, potential, and possibility. By embracing this duality, we open ourselves to richer and more nuanced experiences.

This image contains the definition of the words 'Appreciative' and 'Presence'. The word Appreciative is defined as the capability to sense, feel and understand how valuable some-thing is, and the ability to show or express this understanding. Presence is defined as an attuned & embodied awareness of what is happening while it is happening at a physical, emotional, mental and relational level.

Through mindfulness practices, self-reflection exercises, and the latest research in neuroscience, you’ll gain the tools to develop a core mindset, deepen connections, and foster meaningful change in your personal and professional life

COURSE OBJECTIVES

As a fully engaged participant, you will leave this course better able to:

  • Understand Appreciative Presence. Gain a foundational understanding of what Appreciative Presence is and explore how mindfulness and appreciation are woven together.
  • Practical Integration. Apply the tenets and practices of Appreciative Presence across personal, professional, and relational contexts.
  • Adopt a Mindful Approach. Cultivate a mindset that integrates presence and appreciation in everyday interactions.
  • Foster Authentic Connections. Build stronger relationships through mindful engagement and appreciative practices.
  • Develop Sustainable Practices. Establish lasting habits that reinforce mindfulness, appreciation, and connection.
  • Lead with Purpose. Leverage your Appreciative Presence practice to inspire growth and positive change for yourself and others.

COURSE TOPICS

This online course includes 7 engaging topics, each offering opportunities for reflection and practical application. Through targeted exercises designed to ground, elevate, and expand your Appreciative Presence, you will deepen your understanding of how mindfulness and appreciation shape meaningful connections.

Topic 1: WHAT IS APPRECIATIVE PRESENCE?

Explore the essence of Appreciative Presence by reflecting on how to “be” AI before “doing” AI. This foundational topic introduces the importance of cultivating an appreciative way of being that aligns with authenticity, courage, and mindfulness. It highlights the transformative power of adopting a “both-and” mindset that embraces complexity and fosters resilience.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Understand the essence of Appreciative Presence and its role in Appreciative Inquiry.
  • Explore how mindfulness and appreciation create balance.
  • Recognize how presence strengthens personal and professional connections.
  • Navigate challenges authentically and with resilience.
  • Align intentions and attention with Appreciative Presence principles.
Topic 2: BENEFITS OF APPRECIATIVE PRESENCE

Explore the advantages of practicing Appreciative Presence, focusing on its role in enhancing well-being and fostering deeper connections. Through mindfulness, emotional regulation, and self-awareness, you’ll discover how integrating these practices can promote resilience, focus, and a deeper sense of holistic balance.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Understand how Appreciative Presence integrates mindfulness to improve overall well-being.
  • Explore the connection between self-awareness and emotional regulation.
  • Strengthen your ability to focus and stay present.
  • Recognize the benefits of deepening the mind-body connection.
  • Enhancing Integration and Emotional Regulation
  • Building Mind-Body Connection for Holistic Growth
Topic 3: LAYERS OF APPRECIATIVE PRESENCE

Discover the five layers of Appreciative Presence, guided through a journey of self-awareness, alignment, and connection. Each layer builds on the previous, cultivating a holistic awareness that integrates your physical, emotional, and cognitive experiences. By exploring these layers, you’ll deepen your presence and foster authentic connections with yourself and others.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Cultivate awareness of the present moment through grounding techniques.
  • Explore emotions and thoughts with openness and clarity.
  • Align physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts to create inner harmony.
  • Foster authentic connections by extending presence outward.
  • Recognize the ripple effect of Appreciative Presence on relationships and interactions.
Topic 4: DETERMINE MOTIVATING FACTORS

Examine the core motivations behind cultivating Appreciative Presence. By uncovering biases like negativity and implicit bias, understand how these unconscious tendencies shape perceptions and interactions. Build awareness to navigate challenges with discernment and foster equitable, appreciative connections.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Reflect on the motivations behind cultivating Appreciative Presence.
  • Understand the impact of negativity and implicit biases on perceptions and relationships.
  • Develop strategies to recognize and challenge unconscious biases.
  • Cultivate a balanced approach to navigating challenges with appreciation.
  • Promote equity and discernment in interactions and decision-making.
Topic 5: IDENTIFY YOUR INTENTION

Explore the powerful role of intention in shaping your experiences and future. By reflecting on what motivates us to cultivate Appreciative Presence, we uncover the deeper values and aspirations that guide our actions. This practice enables us to engage fully with the present moment while setting purposeful intentions for growth and connection.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Reflect on the implicit motivations behind cultivating Appreciative Presence.
  • Understand how intention influences thoughts, behaviors, and personal growth.
  • Explore the relationship between present awareness and future aspirations.
  • Recognize the role of responsibility in addressing challenges and fostering growth.
  • Develop strategies to align present actions with meaningful intentions.
Topic 6: FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION

Master the art of focusing your attention amidst modern distractions, balancing awareness with engagement. By balancing spacious awareness with focused engagement, you’ll learn how to direct your energy toward what truly matters. Through practice, you’ll cultivate mental clarity, agility, and stability, empowering you to navigate life with greater intentionality and presence.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Understand the importance of balancing focused attention with spacious awareness.
  • Develop practices to maintain mental clarity and stability in a complex world.
  • Recognize how attention directs energy and shapes meaningful connections.
  • Cultivate the ability to appreciate and focus on what truly matters.
  • Apply strategies to strengthen attention and resilience in daily life.
Topic 7: CLOSING THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

Reflect on your journey into Appreciative Presence by exploring embodied awareness and alignment, emphasizing the importance of grounding and centering yourself through aligned listening and mindfulness. Discover the transformative balance between appreciating challenges and honoring growth, showcasing how Appreciative Presence transcends techniques to become a way of being and doing.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Develop practical strategies to sustain Appreciative Presence.
  • Reflect on the significance of embodied awareness and alignment.
  • Explore how grounding enhances mindfulness and appreciation.
  • Understand how “being” and “doing” intersect in Appreciative Inquiry.
  • Recognize challenges as pathways for growth and learning.

WHO SHOULD ENROLL?

Whether you are new to Appreciative Inquiry or looking to deepen your knowledge, this course is ideal for:

  • Leaders, facilitators, and coaches aiming to strengthen their Appreciative Inquiry practices.

  • Professionals seeking to improve self-awareness, communication, and relational skills.

  • Individuals looking to create a more mindful, appreciative, and balanced life.

DELIVERY FORMAT

The Cultivating Appreciative Presence online program is an asynchronous, self-paced course. An asynchronous online course is a fully online course with no required virtual or face-to-face (live) sessions. This course offers flexibility to access instructional materials and resources, complete activities, and practice techniques and skills essential to the learning goals for this course at time, place, and location that works best for you. Estimated completion time for this course is 10-12 hours.

All course materials and activities are located online and can be found on LearnDash, the Center for Appreciative Inquiry’s learning management system.

Please note: upon registration, you will gain access to all course materials for a full year, beginning on your registration date. This flexibility allows you to learn at your own pace and revisit, download, and save the content whenever needed during your access period.

Exploring the Principles of Appreciative Inquiry

DISCOVER THE PRINCIPLES THAT DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE

Unlock the transformative power of Appreciative Inquiry by diving into its core principles that inspire strength-based, positive change. Exploring the Principles of Appreciative Inquiry is a self-directed course designed to help you apply AI principles to foster growth, resilience, and innovation in both personal and professional settings.

A big, colorful flower with ten pedals lies in the center for this image. The ten pedals represent the ten principles of appreciative inquiry. Each pedal has a principle written on it. The ten appreciative inquiry principles are: constructionist principle, simultaneity principle, anticipatory principle, poetic principle, positive principle, wholeness principle, enactment principle, narrative principle, free choice principle, and awareness principle.This course explores both the original and emergent principles of Appreciative Inquiry, equipping you with practical tools and strategies to foster meaningful conversations, inspire collaboration, and create a culture of possibility. While this course functions as a standalone experience, it is also one module of the Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry online program. Throughout the course, you may encounter references to the full program, offering additional context and deeper insights to enhance your learning experience.

WHY THE APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY PRINCIPLES MATTER

The principles of Appreciative Inquiry offer more than theoretical insights—they provide a practical framework for transforming conversations, reframing challenges, and co-creating a brighter future. Through these principles, you’ll learn how to focus on strengths, possibilities, and innovation rather than problems, ensuring that your interactions lead to positive outcomes in leadership, team dynamics, and personal growth. These tools empower you to navigate challenges with resilience and spark collaborative transformation in any setting.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

As a fully engaged participant, you will leave this workshop better able to:

  • Identify and challenge your assumptions, biases, and values and recognize their impact on your actions.
  • Increase self-awareness through reflection and action.
  • Engage in inclusive, generative, strengths-based conversations.
  • Demonstrate how AI principles influence your way of being, thinking, and doing.
  • Foster inclusive, strength-based conversations.
  • Apply AI principles to real-world scenarios.
  • Strengthen leadership skills through positive, future-focused visioning.
  • Reframe challenges to strengthen personal resilience and growth.

COURSE TOPICS

This online course includes 10 engaging topics, each focused on an Appreciative Inquiry principle. Through reflective exercises, journaling, and practical applications, you will deepen your understanding of how to implement AI principles to real-world contexts. The course offers flexibility for self-paced learning, with an estimated completion time of 18-20 hours.

Topic 1: CONSTRUCTIONIST PRINCIPLE
Explore how the language and conversations we engage in shape our reality – emphasizing the importance of using positive, generative dialogue to create meaningful connections and drive change.

Topic 2: SIMULTANEITY PRINCIPLE
This topic illustrates the concept that inquiry and change happen simultaneously. You’ll explore how asking the right questions can initiate immediate positive shifts in thinking and behavior.

Topic 3: ANTICIPATORY PRINCIPLE
Learn how envisioning a positive future influences present actions. This topic shows how creating hopeful images of what’s possible motivates individuals and teams to align their efforts toward that future.

Topic 4: POETIC PRINCIPLE
Focus on the idea that reality is open to endless interpretations, just like a poem. This topic encourages you to explore how shifting focus to strengths and successes opens up new possibilities for growth and change.

Topic 5: POSITIVE PRINCIPLE
Delve into the power of positive emotions in sustaining growth and innovation. This topic explores how fostering joy, gratitude, and optimism can energize individuals and teams to achieve lasting change.

Topic 6: WHOLENESS PRINCIPLE
Discover the power of inclusivity and collective engagement. This topic highlights how embracing diverse voices fosters connection, shared purpose, and resilient communities.

Topic 7: ENACTMENT PRINCIPLE
Embodying the change you wish to see creates momentum for transformation. This topic explores the link between living your values and generating positive outcomes.

Topic 8: FREE CHOICE PRINCIPLE
Explore how autonomy inspires creativity and engagement. This topic highlights the power of choice in fostering commitment to meaningful change.

Topic 9: NARRATIVE PRINCIPLE
Delve into the transformative power of storytelling. You’ll explore how focusing on positive stories and reframing challenges can inspire new perspectives and drive change.

Topic 10: AWARENESS PRINCIPLE
Learn how self-awareness of biases, assumptions, and perspectives enhance authenticity and fosters deeper, more inclusive connections.

COURSE IDEAL FOR…

Whether you are new to Appreciative Inquiry or looking to deepen your knowledge, this course is ideal for leaders, facilitators, team members, educators, and anyone looking to cultivate positive, strength-based change in their personal or professional lives.

Please note: upon registration, you will gain access to all course materials for a full year, beginning on your registration date. This flexibility allows you to learn at your own pace and revisit, download, and save the content whenever needed during your access period.

SOAR Design Workshop

IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY & DESIGN SOAR

This SOAR Design Workshop is an engaging and collaborative session where we will explore a variety of SOAR designs from team to division, department, organization, and industry level. During this workshop, participants will learn how to design SOAR engagements to their client or organization’s wishes. There will also be a case scenario on how to help an executive leader learn how to use SOAR.

SOAR DESIGN WORKSHOP DATES & TIMES:

There are two workshops available for you to maximize your SOAR learning, planning, and application: Introduction to SOAR and SOAR Design. Below are the dates and times for both workshops. Please note: Introduction to SOAR is a pre-requisite for the SOAR Design workshop.

INTRODUCTION TO SOAR

April 24-25, 2025

9am-12pm Pacific / 12pm-3pm Eastern

SOAR DESIGN

May 16, 2025

9am-12pm Pacific / 12pm-3pm Eastern

Pre-requisite: None

Pre-requisite: Introduction to SOAR

SOAR DESIGN WORKSHOP CONTENT:

By utilizing the SOAR framework, attendees gain a holistic perspective, fostering a positive and proactive approach to strategy and strategic planning. This interactive session guides participants on how their SOAR designs connect to mission with purpose, encourage teamwork, align those around a shared vision, and ultimately leads to the development of actionable strategies and plans that maximize a team or an organization’s potential for success.

Participants will come to this session with at least one draft of a SOAR strategic engagement. Time will be allotted for asking about SOAR designs and engagements.

PURPOSE:

Identify opportunities to apply and design SOAR engagements.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
  • Recognize and target opportunities for applying SOAR at multiple levels of your organization.
  • Review a variety of SOAR-based templates.
  • Case Scenario: What Would You Do?
  • Draft a SOAR Strategy or Strategic Planning Design.

This workshop highlights the true power of SOAR. I left with a deeper understanding of the framework and how it can be used to improve organizational planning, strengthen teams and guide our own individual development.

– Sara Bozeman, Consultant,
Office of Patient-Centered Care & Cultural Transformation, Department of Veterans Affairs

WORKSHOP TESTIMONIALS

This is a very practical workshop that focuses on helping you better understand the variety of ways SOAR can be used from a single person to a large organization. The instructor is focused on ensuring content is relevant to how you want to use SOAR. She provides many practical examples, article, and other learning materials to continue to explore and grow after the program is over.

– Andrew Whitis, Interim Executive Director, OhioNet

The ‘Introduction to SOAR Creating Strategy and Strategic Plans that Inspire’ training event was very good from start to finish as evidenced by comprehensive pre-training preparation, positive, energizing content that contributed to skills enhancement, glitch free Zoom technology, highly experienced trainers whose interactive training style provided ongoing opportunities for participation including trainee feedback and posing of questions. Post training reading materials were an indicator of going the extra-mile to enhance trainee’s competence and capabilities.

– Dennis Whitford, Owner/Operator, 2Thunder Consulting

As an Organization Development Consultant, I was thrilled to see a public offering for a SOAR workshop presented by Jackie Stavros, the creator of the framework. Having Melissa Robaina bring her expertise with Appreciative Inquiry was a real bonus! The workshop was content rich and the resources exceptional. I am glad I invested in this work and came away with more than I could have hoped for.

– Michele Hansen, Principal, Prismatic Business Solutions

Insightful and impactful — the SOAR sessions re-engaged and energized my thinking about how to apply appreciative inquiry in strategic situations to help individuals, teams, and organizations reach new heights.

– Pam Cash, Co-Founder and Chief of Positive Change, Next Ascent, LLC.

I really appreciate The Center for AI offering such a phenomenal program on SOAR with Jackie and Melissa – WOW! Talk about time well spent — it was an absolute pleasure and privilege and will say that this offering is by far one of the ‘high points’ in my learning journey. Jackie is incredible and her generosity is unparalleled! From the SOAR Design workshop (from part II of the series), I delivered a ‘micro-SOAR’ and council members walked away from the session feeling seen, heard, and inspired. Huge kudos to Jackie for developing dynamic and profound SOAR framework, and her willingness to share her insights!!

– L. Barbour, Resilience Director, Optum Workplace Well-Being

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOP INFORMATION:

REQUIRED BOOK

The SOAR workshops utilize the book, Learning to SOAR: Creating Strategy that Inspires Innovation and Engagement by Jacqueline Stavros and Gina Hinrichs.

You will need to purchase this book prior to the start of this course. This short, easy-to-read book is available in electronic, paperback, or audio – please choose the format that best suits your learning style.

Book cover for: Learning to SOAR: Creating Strategy that Inspires Innovation and Engagement by Jacqueline Stavros and Gina Hinrichs.

Buy SOAR Book
METHOD OF DELIVERY:

This workshop will be delivered via Zoom and will use various Zoom features, including the annotation tool. To maximize your learning experience, please participate using a desktop or laptop computer. You will receive a Zoom meeting link in a separate email two weeks prior to the event.

LETTER OF COMPLETION

To obtain a letter of completion from The Center for Appreciative Inquiry, each participant must actively participate and complete the workshop. Letters of completion include your name, date of your training, and number of classroom hours earned and will be presented to participants after the training.

WORKSHOP OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

SOAR Logo consists of the acronym SOAR with the words Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results written underneath.

Logo for Appreciative Inquiries, LLC.

WANT TO TRAIN A TEAM OR GROUP?

This workshop can be delivered for groups and organizations who wish to train a large number of individuals on the SOAR framework to support their strategy and strategic planning efforts. Please complete the CONTACT US form to receive more information about hosting a private course for your group.

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