This document discusses using Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to identify and cultivate character strengths. It outlines the objectives, assumptions, and RAP model of AI. The RAP model involves Reflecting on strengths, Appreciating them through storytelling to an audience, and identifying ways to Practice strengths. Participants complete a character strengths survey, partner interviews to share strength origins and current expression, and introduce their partner's strengths to a small group. The goal is to foster connection, self-reflection, and applying strengths in new contexts.

1. Cultivating Strengths and Generative
Conversations through Appreciative Inquiry
Claire Fialkov, Ph.D., & David Haddad, Ed.D.

2. Objectives
! Participants will be able to identify and reflect on their
character strengths.
! Participants will be able to discuss the relationship
between positive psychology and appreciative inquiry.
! Participants will be able to describe the RAP model and
explain how it is related to cultivation of strengths.
! Participants will be able to describe how they will put
their strengths into practice.

3. Assumptions
! Words create worlds
! Questions are fateful
! Sharing stories of strengths fosters connection in
community
! Dialogue is the art of listening together
! Self-Reflection is fundamental
! Refocusing attention and memory on positive experiences
contributes to well-being

4. Refocusing Attention

5. R.A.P.

6. Reflect & Appreciate
! We move in the
direction of what we
are curious about.The
more positive and life
giving the question, the
more positive and long
lasting the change.

7. Power of Audience
! When your story is told to an audience it
becomes a part of your lived experience
and only then can it be fully integrated and
used in practice.

8. Creating a language of strengths
! VIA developed survey to measure
character strengths
! Has been taken world wide by over
2 million people
! Strengths transcend culture
! Strengths are unique to each person
! Survey translated into 15 languages
! www.viacharacter.org

9. Wisdom
cognitive strengths of: curiosity, creativity, love of
learning &
open-mindedness

10. Humanity
! INTERPERSONAL
STRENGTHS OF:
! Love
! Kindness
! Social intelligence
! Emotional intelligence

11. Courage
! Emotional
strengths that
involve the exercise of
will in the face of
opposition including:
authenticity or
honesty, bravery,
persistence, and zest
or vitality

12. JUSTICE
! CIVIC STRENGTHS
THAT FORGE
CONNECTION TO THE
LARGER COMMUNITY:
! FAIRNESS
! LEADERSHIP
! TEAMWORK

13. TEMPERANCE
! Strengths that
protect against
excess:
! FORGIVENESS
! MODESTY
! PRUDENCE
! SELF REGULATION

14. Transcendence
! Strengths that
forge connection to
the larger universe:
! Spirituality
! Gratitude
! Hope
! Humor
! Future-Mindedness

15. Strength Spotting
! Self reflection
is essential for
transforming
and cultivating
strengths

16. AI Interview
Situating your strengths &
moving them forward in practice

17. (1) REFLECT: AI Interview
Pairs -10 minutes in each direction
! 1. Now that you have considered your strengths tell me about the ones that you
chose as most important to your sense of self?
! 2. Next, pick one or two of your strengths and think about the origin of these
strengths and connect them with your early experiences. Some strengths feel as
though you were born with them, they are just part of who you are and have
always been. They are part of your temperament. Other strengths are learned
through experience, some are even learned through adversity or especially
challenging circumstances. What might give your partner a pretty clear picture or
idea about where this strength came from? Tell the story of the origin of your
strength(s).
! 3. How do these strengths gain expression in your life today?

18. (2) Appreciate: Group Reflections
Partners join with another pair – form groups of 4
! Establish an atmosphere of safety and trust
! Focus the inquiry
! Respectful turn taking
! Listen with full attention
! Appreciate
! Be curious
! Value ambiguity

19. (3) Practice
self manage time
• Imagine that you are part of a new project team at
work.
• Introduce your partner (who maintains a reflective
position) to the team and pay special attention to the
story of their strengths.
• The team listens with full attention - how do you
imagine the strengths might be used for team benefit?

20. Practice
assign recorder
• What was most valuable about this
experience?
• What did you especially appreciate about
having your story told in this way, before an
audience?
• What might you take forward and practice in
your life?

21. R.A.P.