Appreciative Interviews
A structured paired interview process from Appreciative Inquiry where participants interview each other about peak experiences and what they value most. Unlike problem-focused discussion openers, appreciative interviews generate positive energy, build connection, and surface the conditions that produce excellence — making them powerful as workshop openers or community-building exercises.
Cómo ejecutarlo
- 1
Prepare 3–4 open interview questions focused on peak experiences and strengths: 'Tell me about a time you felt most alive and engaged at work. What made it so? What were you contributing?'
- 2
Pair participants. Person A interviews Person B for 7–10 minutes, listening deeply and taking brief notes on what stands out.
- 3
Switch. Person B interviews Person A.
- 4
Each person shares one key story or insight from their partner with the larger group.
- 5
Harvest themes: what do the stories reveal about what makes us thrive? What conditions were present?
Consejos
Listening without interruption is essential — resist the coaching reflex to ask follow-up questions.
The interviewer's job is to draw out the story and note the life-giving factors.
Stories, not opinions, are the unit of data.
Variaciones
Use as the 'Discover' phase of a full Appreciative Inquiry cycle. Run 'appreciative exit interviews' to capture what made people's best work possible before they leave the organisation.
Casos de uso
Planifica tu próximo taller con IA
Workshop Weaver te ayuda a combinar métodos como Appreciative Interviews en una agenda completa y cronometrada en minutos.
Probar gratisMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices.