The AI Toolkit
The AI Toolkit is designed to help others teach about Appreciative Inquiry. It includes instructions for conducting an Appreciative Check-In, AI quotes, and our rotunda collage flyer and PowerPoint templates. Our existing PowerPoint slides will be posted here shortly. Check back soon for additional toolkit materials and links!
Appreciative Quotes and Illustrative Stories
This is a collection of quotations and stories that can add interest to presentations and writings about appreciative inquiry. They have been gathered from a variety of books, web sites, and even T.V. shows to help emphasize a point. Click here to jump to the list.
Appreciative Inquiry and GME Poster
A poster summarizing our work to date, “Reclaiming the Joy: Appreciative Inquiry in Graduate Medical Education” is available for “rent” if you would like to display it in your department. If you are interested in displaying this poster, please email Natalie May.
Appreciative Check-In 101
“Everything can be taken from us but one thing — the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance.”
– Viktor Frankl
Appreciative Check In, affectionately referred to as “Appreciative Chicken,” is a technique for setting a positive and creative tone for a meeting or event. The goal of the check-in is two-fold. First, the exercise allows participants to shift their focus from a negative one to a positive one; given the stress of the health care environment, it is very helpful to provide team members the opportunity to reflect on what is going right in their lives. Appreciative check-in allows us to reframe our day or our work situation from stressful to remarkable. Second, research has shown that we are more creative and better able to solve problems when we are happy.
Steps for Conducting an Appreciative Check-In
(Small Group < 10)
- The leader begins by explaining Appreciative Check-In to the group (e.g., “I would like to ask everyone to think of something positive or remarkable that has happened to you in the past week (or day, or since our last meeting).” Or, “Think of something good that has happened to you today.”) The leader gives his/her example.
- Go around the room and allow everyone to share an appreciative story. (NOTE: This works best if there is already a level of trust established within the group. If there is any question about this, you may want to try the Large Group method described below.)
- Appreciative Check-In is completed when everyone has a turn to share their story.
Steps for Conducting an Appreciative Check-In
(Large Group > 10)
- The leader begins by explaining Appreciative Check-In to the group (e.g., “Has anyone had anything good happen to them today (or this morning, this week, or since our last meeting).”) The leader gives his/her example.
- The leader asks who would like to share their story. Sharing continues until time is up or until there are no more volunteers. This is different from the small group technique where everyone shares a story. It is helpful to have a “plant” in the audience who is familiar with this technique who can volunteer first.
AI at UVA Flyer Template
[AI Flyer Template] Feel free to use this template for agendas, flyers, and correspondence for your work related to AI. We would appreciate it if you could email copies of your work to Natalie for our records.
AI at UVA PowerPoint Template
[AI Powerpoint Template] You are welcome to use this PowerPoint template with our logo for any AI-related presentations. Again, we would love to be informed of any presentations that you make, and as always, let us know if there is anything we can do to assist you. Email Natalie with any presentation information or requests for assistance.
If you would like more information on the toolkit now, please email Here.
