Appreciative Inquiry Workshop

Our Appreciative Inquiry Programme helps your team pause, reflect and move forward together.

It introduces a simple, strengths-based approach that works for everyday conversations, team development and large-scale organisation change.

Whether you're navigating uncertainty, addressing stuck issues, or just wanting your team to feel more connected, this programme helps surface what's already working and show you how to use it to make progress that lasts.

Attendees at an Appreciative Inquiry Workshop

What Is Appreciative Inquiry?

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a method that begins by identifying and building on what is working, rather than diving into problems.

It's built around five practical steps (Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Destiny) that help teams explore:

Moments when they've performed at their best
What conditions helped make that possible
What they want to achieve going forward
Concrete actions to help them get there

Where This Programme Adds Value

This isn't just a reflective exercise. Teams regularly use the Appreciative Inquiry method to improve:

Team meetings - shaping more constructive, energising conversations
Team processes - including onboarding, reviews, decision-making and planning
Organisational change - reframing long-standing challenges and re-energising stalled strategies

How Teams use Appreciative Inquiry

Everyday Practices

Better team meetings
Strength-based language
Constructive conversations

Team Processes

Onboarding & planning
Service reviews & process change
Decision-making

Organisation-wide Change

Cross-department collaboration
Strategic refresh or transformation
Cultural alignment & shared leadership

What You'll Gain from the Programme

Teams leave with:

A clearer understanding of what helps them work at their best
Shared language around values, motivation and contribution
Stronger relationships and renewed team energy
A co-created set of practical, realistic next steps
A simple method they can apply in team meetings and planning

Who This Programme Is For

This session is particularly helpful for:

NHS, HE or local authority teams looking to strengthen collaboration or morale
Teams preparing for change, reflection or planning
Managers wanting a more engaging, inclusive approach to team development
Departments needing time to reconnect or re-focus
Groups addressing persistent blockers or stalled priorities

What's Included

A workshop typically includes:

A tailored planning call to shape the session to your goals
A 2-3 hour facilitated workshop (delivered virtually or in person)
Individual reflection, peer dialogue and group discussion
Structured activities to explore past success and future potential
A co-created action plan to take forward

You don't need to know anything about Appreciative Inquiry beforehand. Your facilitator will guide your team through each step in a calm, constructive and inclusive way.

Why Public Sector Teams Value This Approach

Grounded in evidence, not theory
Familiar and accessible, especially for teams using Learning from Excellence or psychological safety frameworks
Constructive and safe, even during challenge or uncertainty
Practical - not a "feel good" session, but one that sparks action
Repeatable - the tools can be used in regular team meetings, planning sessions or service reviews

How This Programme Fits Into the Bigger Picture

A workshop can be delivered as a standalone experience. but many teams use it as a launchpad for broader strengths-based development.

We often build on it with:

Discovery Workshops to explore individual strengths and team dynamics
Team Development Sessions to embed collaborative habits and behaviours
Management Development Programme (MDP) to equip leaders to apply these ideas day-to-day
Ongoing consultancy or coaching to follow through on outcomes and support cultural change

We'll help shape the approach that makes sense for your team, your leaders, and your wider goals.

Attendees interacting at various Discovery Workshops

Let's Build From What Works

If your team needs a reset, a moment to reconnect or support during change, Appreciative Inquiry offers a clear, engaging and evidence-based way forward. Get in touch to explore whether this is right for your team — and how it might link with other Strengthify support you already have or are considering.

GET IN TOUCH

Discover What’s Working And Build On It