Diane Tran

&

Jenny Hegland

April 18, 2012

OUR MINNESOTA: BUILDING A STATE OF TRUST

Cascading Conversations Tour

CONVERSATION AS A MEANS FOR

NETWORK-BUILDING AND CHANGE-MAKING

Building

relationships,

trust,

and a

shared vision

for

Minnesota’s

future.

1. Find a conversation partner

you don’t already know well

2. Select one person to act as the

interviewer and one as the interviewee

3. Discuss questions 1 and 6 in the

conversation guide on page 4. If you have extra time,

discuss any other questions that interest you.

4. As the interviewer, respond to the questions on the

feedback form (page 5) as you listen – specifically capture

any deep values and inspiring visions for Minnesota’s future

which are shared

INVITATION INTO CONVERSATION

1. How would you describe the nature of your

conversations?

2. What deep values or inspiring visions for Minnesota’s

future did you hear about?

SHARING INSIGHTS

A positive change strategy designed to bring out the best in

people and human systems

APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY: A LENS ON

CHANGE

People and human systems

always move in the

direction of their questions

and what they study

� Every question shifts our

focus of attention

� Questions are fateful

� All inquiry into human

systems impacts them

� The limits to our questions

are the limits to our world

APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY: A LENS ON

CHANGE

A powerful question focuses attention, intention, and energy. It:

� Is simple and clear

� Is thought provoking

� Generates energy

� Focuses inquiry

� Challenges assumptions

�Opens new possibilities

� Invites in the extraordinary

� Evokes more questions

� Moves you in a desired direction

� Opens doors into our most powerful imagination

POWERFUL QUESTIONS

� GOAL: foster 500 conversations by the end of 2012

� We have recorded 70 conversations to date

� We have an advance team of 26 people across the state serving

as forerunners in hosting conversations

� We invite you to join the movement by hosting a conversation

with one person by the end of April

GROWING THE CONVERSATION

� This is a great way to expand your

network and really get to know

someone in a deeper way

� When we spend time deeply

listening to the stories, values,

hopes, and dreams of others, we

illuminate and bring life to our own

� Community: The Structure of Belonging, Peter Block

� The Answer to How is Yes, Peter Block

� Appreciative Inquiry Handbook, David Cooperrider, Diana Whitney, and Jacqueline Stavros

� The Art of Hosting: www.artofhosting.org

� Appreciative Inquiry Commons: appreciativeinquiry.case.edu

� Citizens at the Center: A New Approach to Civic Engagement (The Case Foundation): http://www.casefoundation.org/spotlight/civic_engagement/summary

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