Background

Developed from practice and theory

Aims

 This workshop will introduce three effective processes for moving people locked in unproductive problem or deficit talk to productive aspirational talk.

It will consider when deficit or problem talk (Ludema, Cooperrider and Barrett, 2006) is appropriate and helpful, note when it becomes dysfunctional and briefly explore why people get stuck in downward spirals of hopelessness (Beck et al., 1974).

Method

 The workshop will outline a three-stage process for encouraging people to ‘dare to hope’.

 The rest of the workshop will be experiential and will involve interactive exercises in pairs using one of three tools designed to effect such a shift.

The tools that will be explored are

• The PRISMM coaching cubes. This coaching model draws on Appreciative Inquiry (Cooperrider and Srivastva 2001), Systemic Consulting (Campbell et al 1984), and Positive Psychology, specifically positive affect (Fredrickson 1998).

• Tell your story. These cards access storytelling (Boje 2001), and exploration of emotional states (Fredrickson 1998). They can be used in many ways to support the ‘flip’ from what’s wrong to what is desired.

• Appreciative Inquiry Discovery Interview (Cooperrider, Stavos and Whitney, 2008). This process encourages the identification of ‘peak’ moments from the past and uses inquiry to both create positive affect in the moment and to identify resourcefulness from past moments of strength, resilience and achievement, re-creating hope in the moment.

Results

The demonstrable effect of a shift in mood on faculties such as creativity, problem-solving, social-ability etc. have been demonstrated by many researchers from positive psychology, particularly Fredrickson (ibid) and Isen (2005).

Conclusion

 This skill should be of use to coaches, consultants, teachers, therapists and counsellors amongst others, in many diverse situations and cultures.