Examples of Appreciative Inquiry Interview Questions

Topic Page Generic interview 2 Leadership 3 Engaged and inspired workforce Sales performance 4 Arbitration process (win/win) Team building 5 Compelling communication Performance Review 6 Planning meeting

Education: School improvement 7 Student Success 8 Working with ESL teachers Transition for staff Transition for students 9 Dealing with change Bullying prevention initiatives Student initiative – Leadership 10 At risk student initiative – designing an

alternative school 11 Review and revision of a leadership model Position of responsibilities & teaching positions Embedding Character/Values Education

in the Classroom Think Tank on Autism Parent involvement advisory committee 13 Inquiry into student/teacher relationships

Relationships Married or long time partners 14 Valentine interview 15 Client interview 16

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The Generic Interview – Four Generic Questions

1. BEST EXPERIENCE: Tell me a story about the best times that you have had with your organization. Looking at your entire experience, recall a time when you felt most alive, most involved, or most excited about your involvement. What made it an exciting experience? Who was involved? Describe the event in detail.

2. Values: Let’s talk for a moment about some things you value deeply; specifically, the things you value about yourself; about the nature of your work; and about this organization.

A. Without being humble, what do you value most about yourself – as a person and as a member of this organization?

B. When you are feeling best about work, what about the task itself do you value?

C. What do you value about the organization?

D. What is the single most important thing that your organization has contributed to your life? To the world?

3. Core Value What do you experience as the core value of your organization? Give some examples of how you experience those values.

4. Three WishesWhat three wishes would you make to heighten the vitality and health of this organization?

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Appreciating and Valuing the Best of Leadership

Organizations are at their best when they are leadership rich; when leadership is shared among people at all levels of the organization and when people feel guided and inspired to go beyond what they believe is possible. This “transformational leadership” engages peoples’ hearts, minds and hands in the service of the organization’s vision and core values. It creates a compelling call - a situation that invites people to join in, commit and give their best. Leadership that is transformational sustains itself through others.

Q1: Reflecting on your own experience, tell me a story about a time when you felt well led - when you felt a true sense of leadership that guides and inspires - transformational leadership that not only helped you succeed in your role, or in a project that you were engaged in, but also made the experience energizing and positive for you and others. Include as much detail as you can, including:When was it? Where? Who was involved? What was happening? What was the leader doing that had such a positive effect? What was the outcome? What did you learn? How did you feel? What did you do as a result?

Q2: talk for a moment about some things that you value deeply - things about yourself, the nature of your work. Without being humble, what do you value most about the work that you do, the contribution you make at ABC?

What do you feel are your own leadership strengths?

Q3: What is the one core value that you feel is present in ABC today - and we as leaders need to continue to nurture - in order for ABC and everyone associated with it to flourish?

Q4: Assume that you have been granted 3 wishes - that if they come true you feel will ensure leadership is at its best at ABC. (note: these wishes could be for yourself, for your team, for your colleagues, etc.)

What are they?

What conditions exist today that you feel support those wishes coming true?

Engaged and inspired workforce

Much has been written in recent years about the “lack of employee engagement”. Organizations study and publish reports that tell us that “employees are disengaged” and that the resulting loss of productivity is costing organizations millions of dollars annually. Rather than looking at employee engagement as a problem to be solved, what if we were to study this issue from the other side - as a mystery to be embraced - what might it look like when all employees say they are engaged and inspired by the work they do? Where might we begin?

Reflect on your own entire working experience.Tell me a story about a time when you felt most alive, passionate and engaged in your work. Describe the situation in as much detail as you can remember: when was it? where? who was involved? what was happening? what was the impact? what

were you and others in the story doing that made this situation so memorable?

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Sales PerformanceFocus is on how to exceed and sustain our targeted participation rate

During your time as both a Sales Rep and as a Sales Manager there have probably been highs and lows – peaks and valleys – times where you were at the “top of your game” and times when you have been in a “slump”.

1. Tell a story about a time when you were at the “top of your game” – what you consider to be a peak experience.

Describe the situation in rich detail including the timing, where you were working, who were you working with?

2. Now tell a story in which you or someone who worked for you struggled to make plan and you “did it”!

Who were the people who stand out as having helped you along the way? What was it about the situation, your community, the culture of the organization that allowed

success? What was the smallest thing that you did that made the biggest difference?

3. Without being modest, what are you most proud about your leadership and coaching styles?

4. It is 2010 – you are back together sharing the wonderful rich stories of your success with participation rate … describe what happened throughout the year to accomplish and sustain this success

Arbitration process Q1: As you reflect over your past, both business and personal, think of a time when you came together with others where the possibility of win/loose existed but you were able to achieve a win/win outcome. Describe the situation in as much detail as possible, what happened that helped shift the mindset from win/loose to win/win.

Q2: What roles did you specifically play?

Q3: What did others do that contributed to the successful outcome?

Q4: It is now May 2010, both NASG and NAAO have had an exceptional year. You have come back together as a group to share the stories of success and to work on the 2011 Arbitration process. Describe in as much detail as possible, what happened in the 2010 Arbitration process. What were some of the actions and behaviours that ensured the sustainability of the decisions made - at the workshop and throughout the year?

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Team Building1. Reflect on your experience as part of the new CLT. Tell a story about the best experience you

have had working with this group. A time when you thought ‘WOW – I’m so glad to be a member of this team.’

Where/when was it? Who was involved? What was happening? What was it about you and/or other members of the CLT that made it such a memorable experience? Be as specific and detailed as you can!

2. Without being humble, what strengths do you feel you bring to the team?

3. What do you value most about working together? Where do you feel we excel as a team of leaders?

4. What are your wishes for ‘the team’?

Compelling CommunicationCompelling communication is essential to the success of any endeavour or organization. Compelling communication occurs when information is shared in ways that enhance the relationships among people and their ability to do a good job. I t occurs when conversation, dialogue or inquiry is open, honest, authentic and action oriented. It serves to strengthen relationships, to focus on the work to be done, and to convey a sense of caring and commitment.

Compelling communication is a two-way street. It involves sincere listening as well as open expression of ideas and opinions. When people feel in the know, have the information needed to do their job, and feel listened to and heard, they are better able to collaborate and co-create. Compelling communication gives people a sense of connection and belonging. It enables people to work together in ways that are mutually satisfying and inspiring. It is the backbone of organizational success.

1. Tell me a story about a time when compelling communication allowed you and another person to really connect and to work together exceptionally well. What was the situation? What was it about the other person, and communication that made this possible? What was the outcome?

2. Consider the various forms of communication within this organization.

Which are most effective in providing people with information to do their jobs Which most foster a sense of connection and belonging? Which most enable people to work together in ways that are mutually satisfying and inspiring

3. Imagine that you arrive at work tomorrow to find that a miracle happen. Compelling communication is now the only form of communication within our organization.

What is different How did we get there How does it feel

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A Sample from British Airways Performance Review:Customer Reassurance:Wherever customers enter our world they are immediately influenced by a whole collection of signals we give off. How we as BA staff present ourselves; and how we go about our duties influence their perception of us. Customers also observe how we interact with each other as a team and as a result can be reassured by it even before we’ve said a word to them. These attitudes and behaviours can communicate to customers a strong, reassuring message that they will be taken care of by BA, and that their current and future needs are met.

What are some things you do everyday that give our customers reassurance?

From your last review what actions have you taken to sustain or grow reassurance?

How could you grow or sustain Reassurance?

Outline for Facilitation of Greater Richmond Business Advisors (GRBA) Planning Meeting 1. What first attracted you to your work, to your profession? What were your initial impressions? What excited you?

2. In each of our lives there are special times when we just know that we have made the right career choice, moments when we feel really good about the work we are doing and what we are contributing to others. As you think back over the last four or five years, can you tell me a story about one of those special moments when you felt most alive, involved and excited about your work and when you were affirmed in our commitment to being a part of your profession?

- Who were the significant others and what made them significant? - What was happening at that time in your life? - What made it a peak experience? - What factors in your environment made it a peak experience?

3. Step into the shoes of all the people who most respect and value you, both in the workplace and at home. Through their eyes, tell me about yourself.

- What matters to you the most? - What are your favorite past times and hobbies? - What are your greatest skills and competencies?

- What makes you tick?

4. Tell me a story about the best times that you have had working with a really terrific group. Looking at your entire experience with that group, recall a time when you felt most alive, most involved, or most excited about your involvement. What made it an exciting experience? Who was involved? Describe the event in detail.

5. If you had three wishes for this group, what would they be?

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School Inquiry We are entering a new phase of history for Eden High School and Lakeport Secondary. We each bring a rich history and experience. During our experience at our respective schools we have no doubt witnessed great examples of successful school improvement initiatives. As we begin this journey together, we recognize there will be many opportunities to collaborate and contribute to continuous school improvement for both schools while we strive to retain our own identity. Ultimately our goal is to achieve success together by putting students first.

WARM UP: Introduce yourself to your partner and share a little about yourself and your school

Q1: BEST EXPERIENCETake a moment to reflect upon your experience in your own school. Then share a story about a time that for you stands out as a peak experience and where you might have thought: “WOW, we really can make a difference together!”

Include in your story as much detail as you can, including things like:

When was it? Where? What was happening? When was it? Who was involved? What was the impact? What contributed to the positive outcome—include what you and others in the story were

doing that made it possible.

Q2: VALUING OURSELVESa) Without being humble, what was it about your own behaviour/teaching that contributed to the positive experience you described?

b) What was it about that experience that you would like others at Lakeport/Eden to experience?

Q3: CORE VALUES IN OURSCHOOL

What is the one core value that you feel is present in your school today -and needs to be nurtured - in order for Lakeport/Eden and everyone associated with it to flourish? What does it look like when you see this value ‘in action’?Q4: WISHESAs you look to the future, and keeping in mind achieving success together by putting students first, what wishes do you have for school improvement at Lakeport/Eden - wishes that you personally are willing to help make come true?

Consider these areas: students in both schools

yourself as educator/staff

your department

your school

“If you want to change the culture – change your conversations.If you want to change your conversations – change your questions.” Joyce Majors

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Appreciative Inquiries in Toronto District School Board

Student Success1. Tell a story about a time when you had an opportunity to participate in an initiative promoting

student success that made a tremendous difference for students – a time that you felt energized, fulfilled and effective.

What made it great? Describe in detail the situation, people involved, and how the initiative occurred.

2. What is the one core value that you feel needs to be present to effectively program for student success?

3. Imagine a school where every student is successful. What might students and teachers be doing? What are a few things your school could be doing to ensure success for students?

Working with E.S.L. Teachers1. Tell me a story about a time when you first arrived at school in Canada, recall a highlight. What were you learning? What made you want to learn it? What helped you to be successful?

2. What have you experienced at school that you would like a younger person you cared about to experience? How might this be important?

3. Imagine a school where every new student felt welcomed and capable. What would teachers and students be doing? What are a few things your school can do to ensure success for newcomers?

Transition - For Staff1. Tell a story about a transition process which you were/are involved in which students arrived at their school in

September with the supports they needed in place. What was happening? Who was involved? What was it that made this process effective?

2. What is the one thing you feel was present that enhanced the success of the process?

3. Imagine a school where every new student feels welcomed and capable. What programs/resources would you wish to see in place?

What might teachers and students be doing?

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Transition - For Students (attending a transition day at their next year’s school, created & facilitated by students) 1. Tell me a story about a time when you were involved in something that helped you feel like an

important member of the school community. Include as much detail as you can. What were you doing? Who was involved? How did the experience help you feel special?

How did the experience create a sense of belonging for you?

2. What did you learn or value about that experience that you could bring to your new high school next year?

3. Imagine that it’s one year from now, and your first year at this high school has been everything you had hoped for, and more. You are now talking to the students who will be new to this high school in 2008. What great things will you tell them about your experience at the end of your first year at this high school?

4. What three (3) wishes do you have for your first year at this high school? (write them on the sticky notes and post them on the Wish Wall)

Dealing with Change1. During your time in Guidance, you have had the opportunity to participate in many changes. Tell a

story about a time when you were involved in a change that made a tremendous difference for students– a time that you felt energized, fulfilled and most effective and where you were able to accomplish more than you imagined.

What made it so great? Describe in detail the situation, people involved, and how the change occurred?

2. Without being humble what is it about you that contributed to the success of this change? Describe in detail these qualities and what you value about yourself that enabled success.

3. If you had three strategies you could incorporate into your next change process to ensure the best possible outcome for student success, what would they be?

Bullying Prevention Initiatives1. Tell a story about a time when you were involved in a initiative working towards the building of a

safe and inclusive school environment or

Talk about a successful peace-building program you have heard about? What was happening? Who was involved? What was the most exciting part, and what made it so exciting?

2. What contributed to making this particular program a success? What skills were important in planning it and making it happen? What important lessons did you learn from this?

3. What 2-3 wishes would you have for a program to establish a safe and inclusive classroom/ school? What do you feel students/teachers starting a school-wide initiative need to know?

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Student Initiatives - Leadership1. Think about this past year in Grade 9 at any school. Tell a story about a time when you were

involved in something that helped you feel like an important member of the school community. What were you doing? Who was involved? What was it that was happening that made the experience a highlight?

2. What have you experienced at school this year, either in class or outside of class, that you would like next year’s Grade 9 students to experience? How might this be important?

3. Imagine your Grade 10 year in which every student felt safe, respected and successful. What would teachers and students be doing?

4. What 3 wishes do you have for your Grade 10 year to ensure that every student feels safe,

respected and successful?

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At Risk Student Initiative – Designing an Alternative School 1. Tell me a story about a time when you felt successful in school. What were you learning? What

made you want to learn it? What helped you to be successful?

2. What have you experienced at school that you would like a younger person you cared about to experience?

How might this be important? Why do you feel it’s important for them to experience this too?

3. Imagine a school where every student is successful. What might teachers and students be doing? What are a few things your school could do to ensure successful students? Tell me an achievable goal that could change our school in a year. How might you help to maintain that success?

Review and Revision of a Leadership Model1. Reflect on your leadership and/or teacher experience over the last 3 years at this school or

another school. Share a story of a leadership and/or teaching situation that enabled staff, students or a school initiative to be successful.

Describe the situation in detail: Where/when did this happen? What was happening? Who was involved? What made this situation so successful?

2. Without being humble, what do you value most about yourself as a leader and/or teacher?

3 What do you believe are the guiding principles which form the foundation of a productive, successful leadership model?

4. Imagine it is 2009. We have been recognized for having a very successful leadership model—one that has supported staff, students and school initiatives. We have been asked to share what made our model so successful—how would you describe our model?

Interview Questions for Positions of Responsibility and Teaching Positions1. Share a story about a time when you invited students, other staff, and parents to participate in an

exciting opportunity or initiative in your area of study. What was happening? Who was involved? What was the outcome? What did you value about that experience?

2. Tell us about the most successful learning experience you provided for students. What was the topic? Who was involved? Why was it such a successful experience? How was the experience equitable for all students? How has the experience impacted your practice?

3. It is now June 2010. As the curriculum leader for your area of study, what has occurred that you are most proud of as a result of your leadership: (a) within your area of study (b) within the school.

4. What are your three wishes for the future of science (or any other discipline) education at this high school?

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Embedding Character/Values Education in the Classroom/School1. Reflecting on your own experience, share a story about a time when you had a teacher or an

experience in a classroom that stands out as a real highlight of your education. Include as much detail in the story as you can.

When was it? Where? Who was involved? What was happening? What was the outcome? How did this experience help you to be successful?

2. As it relates to your story, what are some things you value deeply that you feel contributed to this experience being so memorable.

3. What is the one core value that you feel must be present in your practice that will contribute to student success in your classroom or beyond. What does it look like when you see this value “in action”?

4. Imagine it is now June 2008 and you have completed your first year of teaching. What are you most proud of? How has that led to students in your class being successful?

Think Tank on AutismTell a story of success about an individual who has PDD/ASD (this person could be someone you know personally, or someone you have heard about or read about).  Be as detailed in your story about this person as possible. In particular we want to capture from the story the following highlights:

What does success look like for this person?What strengths did they have that contributed to their success?What needs were met to help them to be successful?What programs and services helped this individual succeed?

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Parent Involvement Advisory Committee1. Reflect on your whole life experience and then tell me a story about a time when you had a great experience as part of a “team” – where a diverse group of people came together, focused on achieving a common goal and despite the challenges that may have surfaced along the way, the team achieved something extraordinary. Describe the situation in as much detail as you can, including: Where/when was it? What as happening? Who was involved? How were you and others in the story behaving that made this a positive experience?

2. Without being humble, what do you value most about yourself - attributes that you feel can have a positive impact and contribution to the work that PIAC is involved in?

3. What is the one core value that you feel is present in PIAC today and needs to continue and be nurtured in order for PIAC and everyone associated with it to flourish? When that core value is present – describe what you hear and see.

4. As you look toward the future of PIAC what three wishes would you have, that if they came true would ensure success for all our students?

Inquiry into Student / Teacher Relationships (conducted by students)1. Please share a story of the 'Best' communication you have ever had with anyone in general.

This could be a friend, a teacher, a parent, someone else's parent, a clerk in a store - anyone at all. Please include details such as who, when, where, and what so that we can understand the story fully.

2. In this 'Best' communication story, what made the communication work? Include what you were hearing and seeing - what you and the other person were doing to make it work.

3. What was the impact or result of this communication? Think about how this made a difference for you and or the other person.

4. Imagine communication with your teachers is at its very best. What is the one thing that makes it really special?

5. What is happening now in your school that you feel contributes to positive communication between teachers and students?

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By Jackie Kelm: www.appreciativeliving.com 1. First Met - Think back to when we first met and fell in love.  What wasit that attracted you to me?  Tell me the story of how you first fell inlove with me.

2. Peak Experience - Throughout our relationship we've had many ups anddowns, high points and low points.  Think back to a high point.  A time thatstands out as a great period or experience in our relationship.  Tell meabout that time and what it was that made it such a high point for you.

3. Felt In-Love - We've shared many experiences and have been through somuch in our ___ years together. Think of a time through all of this when youfelt really in-love with me, really close. When was that? Why do you thinkyou felt this way during this time?

4. Conflict - In the course of any relationship there are times when peopledisagree or see things differently.  This is a normal, healthy part of beinghuman.  Can you think of a time in our relationship when we disagreed, orsaw things differently, and were able to successfully work it out?  What isit about this situation that that makes you consider it a success?  Let'slook even more closely at this - what specifically did each of us do to makeit work?

5. Intimacy - Now I'd like to shift into a more personal realm and talkabout intimacy. As you think back on it, what stands out as one of the highpoints for you, and why was it such a high point?

6. Core Values - Both of us have some really great qualities and I want totalk about these.            . Without being humble, what is it you value most aboutyourself?            . What is it you value most about me?            . What do you value most about our relationship?

7. Best Practices - As you think about our partnership overall, what do youthink are some of our "best practices" or things we do well?

8. Life Giving Factor - We've been through so much together.  We'vestruggled through difficult situations and shared some incredible momentstogether.  As you think through all this, what do you think is at the baseor foundation of our relationship?  What is the core life-giving factor ofour partnership that makes it work?

9. Wishes for Future - Now we get to explore the future together.  Imaginethat it's ten years from now and our relationship has become everything andmore than you could have ever dreamed.  If you had three wishes for ourfuture together, what would they be?

10. Actions - What one thing could you do right now, no matter how small,that would help move us in the future of this ideal relationship youdescribed?

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INTERVIEW WITH MY VALENTINE

A great relationship sits on a foundation of commitment, is stabilized through deliberate hard work, is uplifted by fun, and is held together by bonds of love and spirit.

As you interview your Valentine, listen for what touches you most, reminds you of why you are Valentines and offers you inspiration for your future together.

1.    Reflect on two or three of the most inspiring or rewarding experiences of our time together? Please tell me one of the stories.

2.   What first attracted you to me?  (qualities, behaviors, potential, etc.)What do you value most about me now?

3.   How has our relationship helped or benefited you the most?

4.  What challenges, disappointments or roadblocks have we successfully addressed together?

5. What three things do you commit to do to increase the health and vitality of our relationship?

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Client InterviewQ1:  a. Tell me a story about the best experience you had working with me. A time when you thought … “I’m glad I hired (your name). We are getting the work done and she/he is helping to make a positive change in our organization. I am learning lots and having fun.”

What contributed to the success of this experience? What did you value about how we worked together?

Q2:a. As you reflect upon my work, what would you describe as my top three strengths?

b. What is one thing that you belief is unique about my approach compared to other external resources that you have worked with?  Q3:From your point of view, what are the challenges facing organizations today (private, not for profit and public service), what skills/ experience/ knowledge are these organizations finding in short supply now and in the future?  What trends are you seeing in these organizations?

How might my skills, strengths and experience help?

Q4:Our final question goes back to the purpose of our interview “I am looking for ways to apply my skills, strengths and work experience in different ways that can bring value to the ever-changing workplace and the organizations within it.” Do you have any further suggestions or comments?

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