Appreciative Inquiry Interviews | Faces & Voices of Recovery Data Hub

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Interviewee Name*

Who are you Interviewing?

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Instructions/Information

The ability to bring our best selves forward is critical and essential for positive growth. Appreciative Inquiry provides a base for the approach we will be using; it was developed at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

AI is an exciting way to embrace organizational change. Its assumption is simple: Every organization has something that works right – things that give it life- when it is most alive, effective, successful, and connected in healthy ways to its stakeholders and communities. AI begins by identifying what is positive and connecting to it in ways that heighten energy and vision for change. (Cooperider, Whitney and Stavros (2003). AI is both a philosophy and a process that is strengths-based (Mitchell, 2007), and has been used with businesses and organizations, both large and small, nationally and internationally in over 100 countries (Bushe & Kassam, 2005, Mitchell, 2007). It is an effective way for organizations to implement sustainable change, inform leadership, and direct community based engagement efforts.

When we focus on the high points and discover what worked in the past we can be reminded that we can change successfully. We can envision a way forward by using what worked in the past to chart a positive path forward.

Interview Tips:

•Listen deeply. From time to time, you can say things like, “Tell me more about that…”

•Allow time to actively read (and understand) this interview guide.

•Trust the process.

•Using the 4 questions below, conduct the interview for at least 20 minutes, taking brief notes and asking follow-up questions as appropriate. Note the approximate time you will have for each question. After the interview concludes, answer the additional 4 questions..

•Record your partner’s comments about the interview on the Summary Sheet.

Questionnaire

1. Tell me a story about a moment when your recovery community was at it’s best?*

2. What three to four things do you stand for as an advocate for social justice? What matters most to you? Take a moment to reflect upon the past few weeks or months and answer these questions:*

What gives you the most satisfaction in your role? When do you feel good about your role as a social justice advocate? What are others able to do as a result of your leadership or advocacy? What do you value most about yourself as a leader? Why do people respect you and your organization?

3. Think about a time when you were inspired.*

A time when you were moved to creative action. Who or what inspired you? What awakened your creativity? What gave you confidence to take action? What did you do?

4. What three wishes do you have for Faces and Voices, especially in it’s efforts to be anti-racist, equity focused, and an advocate for social justice?*

Appreciative Inquiry Interview

1. What was the most appreciative quotable quote that came out of your interview?*

2. What was the most compelling story that came out of the interview?*

What details and examples did the interviewee share? How were the interviewee and/or others changed by the story?

3. What was the most “life-giving” moment of the interview for you as a listener?*

4. What three wishes stood out most for you during the interview?*