Facilitation Development Programme – Appreciative Inquiry for community facilitators

“If you want to build a ship, then don’t drum up men to gather wood, give orders, and divide the work.  Rather, teach them to yearn for the far and endless sea.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This in-depth course has been developed to help you understand and be successful in deploying the philosophy and methodology of Appreciative Inquiry, when leading, coaching and consulting others for generative and lasting change.

Drawing on leading-edge materials and over 25 years’ experience of using AI around the world, it has been curated to build your skills and confidence.

Programme contents

  • Appreciative Inquiry – programme contents
    8 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Choosing generative change – why and how do strength-based interventions work?
    60 minutes
  • Choosing intentional inquiry – opening up the space for discovery
    90 minutes
  • Choosing what you pay attention to – coming at things from the other side
    15 minutes
  • Choosing the building blocks of your practice – introducing the 5D structure
    45 minutes
  • Orienting to personal strengths – develop your appreciative eye
    30 minutes
  • Orienting to strengths as a team – develop your collective appreciative eyes
    60 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Working live – simultaneity, inquiry and learning forward (draft)
    20 minutes
  • Generative metaphor and the anticipatory principle (draft)
    20 minutes
  • Amplification, stories, copying and positive deviancy in change (draft)
    20 minutes
  • Flow – the experience of full presence with others (draft)
    20 minutes
  • The role of positive emotion in building resilience and innovative capacity (draft)
    20 minutes
  • Hosting, convening and facilitating
    180 minutes
  • Enablers and premises of dialogic transformation
    0 minutes
  • Dialogue and generativity (draft)
    0 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Definition – the gentle art of reframing (draft)
    60 minutes
  • The gift of skilful listening
    90 minutes
  • The art of the question
    20 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Discovery – reveal what enables success (draft)
    60 minutes
  • Sensing and filtering signals of change
    45 minutes
  • Working with stories (draft)
    0 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Dream – co-create generative images of possibility (draft)
    60 minutes
  • Mastering a broad range of interventions
    60 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Design – prototype change and innovate (draft)
    60 minutes
  • Rethinking organisations for adaptability and antifragility
    120 minutes
  • Rapid prototyping and hackathon design for virtual and f2f groups
    120 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Destiny – improvise, sustain and re-inquire (draft)
    60 minutes
  • Adaptive and dialogic leadership – developing your improvisation skills
    120 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • AI Case Story and resources – 2020 Equity Summit – Portland State University (draft)
    0 minutes
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • EBC Ott discussion space
  • Move to the third course in this series to develop your remote and hybrid workplace leadership further
    0 minutes

This programme offers

Work through it in your own way - binge or nibble?

Some people like to 'binge learn', meaning that they allocate a whole day, and sink into a thorough immersion in a whole module.  Others prefer to work through a single lesson at a time, with gaps to let one idea sink in before going to another.  Whatever your preference is, you are advised to book time in your diary, to ensure it happens regularly and you can keep up with the programme.

Different types of media to suit all needs

Each lesson will mix videos to watch, with material to read.

Plus there are downloadable handouts, worksheets, templates and checklists to print and take away, and keep for future reference.

Help always at hand

This programme has an external Programme Manager Julie, as well as your coaches Caryn and Bruno who have lots of experience working with your communities.  You can reach them quickly and easily - by email or by the message function in your Dashboard.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I get stuck?

Always reach out to us - don't sit and suffer!  You can simply email us at academy@lacertaconsulting.co.uk.  Immediately Caryn or Julie will receive your email.

Alternatively, if you are still logged in and able to use the site, if you go to your Dashboard, you will see you can raise a message to us there or you can hit the button below.

How long can I access a module or individual lessons?

Your modules will be accessible to you for 1 year from the time you start them.

However in each lesson there are also PDFs, tools, products and exercises, that we think you will want to keep - you can download them, or print them.

What if I fall behind and out of step with others?

All significant learning commitments require some dedication.  This means making conscious choices, and carving out the time to acquire, experiment with, and reflect on what you are exploring.  Sometimes, this is going to clash with other priorities and occasionally it might feel a little overwhelming - even for the most dedicated learner.  If you know that a busy period is coming up, plan for catch-up time in the weeks that follow.

If you have concerns about whether you will be able to do this, and if you fall behind at any time, just reach out to us and we will try to help.

Can I get direct help for me in my Monastery?

We know that you might be going through a lot of change, and it isn't easy for anyone.

If you feel your community needs extra support, then speak either directly to your Abbot President, or to the Continuing Formation Commission - who will liaise with us to see what we can do.