LS – Appreciative Interviews

What is meant by it?

For anyone to be successful, one must be positive instead of negative. So, with the help of this liberating structure, a group of people would sit together and talk about their success stories instead of crying about their problems. Therefore, when a group of people would share their stories under an hour and come up with a list of factors that are necessary for success, it would help to bring a positive change to any organization. This organizational structure is an agile approach to project management.

How is it done?

Appreciative interviews are carried out by first asking everyone to tell a story where they had to work on a challenge, and they are proud of what they had accomplished. You have to pair up with someone and tell them your success story. No tables are needed to carry the interview out; you will only require chairs. There can be an unlimited number of groups.

A paper and flip chart will be given to everyone. Each participant will have equal time to contribute. In the first 3 minutes, the instructor will be telling the participants what kind of story they are supposed to tell each other.

Participants will then pair up with each other and 7-10 minutes will be given to each participant to tell their success story to their partner. Then, a group of 4 participants would be formed where each participant will retell the story of his partner to the group. Other group members will be taking notes while listening to the story. Insights and patterns would be collected on a flip chart. Everyone will get 15 minutes to summarize the assets and conditions. Then, you will ask everyone as a whole that what conditions will help in getting success.

Why is it used?

Appreciative interviews can be used for spreading positivity and knowledge so that everyone will know how to achieve success in a specific field. When you know the proper path to get success for something, you will follow that path.

 

What are Tips and Traps?

The participants should not to bring up any negative story and engagingly tell their success story. Ask the participants to give a title to their respective partner’s story. Make sure that you can show the patterns in every story.

Examples – Where can you use it?

Appreciative interviews can be used in the following circumstances:

  • It would help in revising college courses.
  • It would help in repairing a doctor-patient relationship.
  • It would help in building trust with an NGO.

— Slimane Zouggari