A Peek into Our AI Jam Preparation
Written by Regina Vanda | Apr 19, 2022
Ahead of the upcoming Global Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Jam, we gathered in a small team huddle to focus and develop our AI Jam sessions ideas and intentions. The jam is an annual gathering where AI and OD practitioners can come to revitalize their practice, hear from leading experts in the field, and meet and learn from their peers. Facilitated using Nancy Kline’s Transforming Meeting method, our preparation huddle was a deeply regenerative space for all present.
Igniting Inspiration
In her usual candor, Natasha Dalmia shared early in the huddle her desire to ignite her inspiration for the sessions she will be leading during the jam as well as for hosting the community of participants, especially from our region. Since the news of this global gathering came to her, she knew it would be a meaningful opportunity to connect, share and grow.
Using the analogy of a candle, there was that spark of eagerness and resonance that spurred her to initiate two consecutive sessions on the second day of the AI jam. But for the inspiration to really ignite into a steady flame, Natasha needed a grounding space outside of the hustle and bustle of various projects — a space which the team also felt we needed for different reasons and were thus more than willing to offer one another.
Collaborative Thinking
Although the AI Jam sessions are going to be led by individual practitioners and designed around deeply personal areas of experience and expertise, we knew that the work to get to the most impactful and fruitful sessions would be collaborative. We asked each other questions to clarify our thinking and practiced Appreciative Inquiry in the huddle itself. AI, after all, is not a method so much as a way of seeing and relating with one another that focuses on collective flourishing.
For example, we spent time unpacking what kind of impact we want to create (or more accurately, co-create) in the session that Zafirah Mohammed will be leading. When asked what good engagement looks like, she shared:
“I hope the participants find the discussions and sharing relevant to their context. Secondly, I hope they take away some insights from the session. And they find that it contributes to their practices — whatever their role might be.”
Purpose and Identity
Through the weaving of divergent and convergent ideas we articulated during the huddle, it was clear that purpose and identity give us firm anchoring regardless of the session themes.
For Natasha, her candle of inspiration caught fire when she reconnected with the purpose of realising a generative culture not just for her communities, not just for her daughter, but propagating this culture intergenerationally everywhere. The high-point moments she has encountered in positive education need not stay as anomalies, but can become a gift that endures across generations. This dream motivates her to bring her whole self into the room.
Likewise, Zafirah realised that her session was not so much about preparing the field of complex social issues for fruitful collaboration, but developing the person of the ‘farmer’ who will work the field. Beneath the layers of problems and the pressing demand for solutions, who is the person we need to be?
Looking to the week ahead, we are excited to authentically connect the practice of Appreciative Inquiry with the much deeper reflection on identity transformation and regenerative purpose. If you too are inspired and want to co-create this learning experience with us, do join us for our AI jam sessions and sign up here!
