so what is it that causes any human system a team a family a community and
system a team a family a community and
system a team a family a community and audience to come alive to be at their
audience to come alive to be at their
audience to come alive to be at their very best this question is that’s why I
very best this question is that’s why I
very best this question is that’s why I go to work every day it’s why my best
go to work every day it’s why my best
go to work every day it’s why my best buddy Hal makes fun of me he’s the what
buddy Hal makes fun of me he’s the what
buddy Hal makes fun of me he’s the what kind of nerd would say human system
kind of nerd would say human system
kind of nerd would say human system right the same kind of nerd that will
right the same kind of nerd that will
right the same kind of nerd that will start with a graph and where’s the time
start with a graph and where’s the time
start with a graph and where’s the time X but this graph is important because
X but this graph is important because
X but this graph is important because it’s it’s why the question matters and
it’s it’s why the question matters and
it’s it’s why the question matters and many of you know this we live in a time
many of you know this we live in a time
many of you know this we live in a time of radical exponential change right now
of radical exponential change right now
of radical exponential change right now right the speed of computing the number
right the speed of computing the number
right the speed of computing the number of devices and internet connections it’s
of devices and internet connections it’s
of devices and internet connections it’s all rising at an exponential rate I had
all rising at an exponential rate I had
all rising at an exponential rate I had a personal experience a few weeks ago to
a personal experience a few weeks ago to
a personal experience a few weeks ago to remind me of this fascinating time is my
remind me of this fascinating time is my
remind me of this fascinating time is my daughter Sierra she’s 5 and I’m making
daughter Sierra she’s 5 and I’m making
daughter Sierra she’s 5 and I’m making breakfast in the kitchen and she’s over
breakfast in the kitchen and she’s over
breakfast in the kitchen and she’s over on the couch with an iPad and I get this
on the couch with an iPad and I get this
on the couch with an iPad and I get this notification all the sudden on my phone
notification all the sudden on my phone
notification all the sudden on my phone that pops up your parent you’ve seen
that pops up your parent you’ve seen
that pops up your parent you’ve seen this thank you for purchasing Sophia the
this thank you for purchasing Sophia the
this thank you for purchasing Sophia the first season too right I look at her
first season too right I look at her
first season too right I look at her she’s like peeking out behind the iPad
she’s like peeking out behind the iPad
she’s like peeking out behind the iPad but that moment reminds me like this is
but that moment reminds me like this is
but that moment reminds me like this is a fascinating time in history where that
a fascinating time in history where that
a fascinating time in history where that can happen my 7 year old I can’t get
can happen my 7 year old I can’t get
can happen my 7 year old I can’t get them excited about Santa because we have
them excited about Santa because we have
them excited about Santa because we have Amazon right what makes it even more
Amazon right what makes it even more
Amazon right what makes it even more interesting is when Astro teller the
interesting is when Astro teller the
interesting is when Astro teller the head of Google X says that we may have
head of Google X says that we may have
head of Google X says that we may have just approached the first time in human
just approached the first time in human
just approached the first time in human history where the rate of technological
history where the rate of technological
history where the rate of technological change has surpassed our ability as
change has surpassed our ability as
change has surpassed our ability as humans to adapt to change and if that’s
humans to adapt to change and if that’s
humans to adapt to change and if that’s true what I’m here to suggest today is
true what I’m here to suggest today is
true what I’m here to suggest today is that it’s not more answers or more
that it’s not more answers or more
that it’s not more answers or more knowledge that we need I agree with John
knowledge that we need I agree with John
knowledge that we need I agree with John Kelly from IBM who says that in the
Kelly from IBM who says that in the
Kelly from IBM who says that in the future they might measure our
future they might measure our
future they might measure our intelligence not by what we know or by
intelligence not by what we know or by
intelligence not by what we know or by more answers but by our ability to ask
more answers but by our ability to ask
more answers but by our ability to ask better more beautiful questions today
better more beautiful questions today
better more beautiful questions today I’m going to introduce you to an
I’m going to introduce you to an
I’m going to introduce you to an approach to asking questions that we’ve
approach to asking questions that we’ve
approach to asking questions that we’ve been using in human systems of all types
been using in human systems of all types
been using in human systems of all types and I’m going to take you back to the
and I’m going to take you back to the
and I’m going to take you back to the origin of this approach which is called
origin of this approach which is called
origin of this approach which is called appreciative inquiry it started in 1982
appreciative inquiry it started in 1982
appreciative inquiry it started in 1982 and David Cooper Rider was a young PhD
and David Cooper Rider was a young PhD
and David Cooper Rider was a young PhD student at Case Western Reserve
student at Case Western Reserve
student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and he was
University in Cleveland and he was
University in Cleveland and he was consulting with the Cleveland Clinic and
consulting with the Cleveland Clinic and
consulting with the Cleveland Clinic and David looked around and he noticed that
David looked around and he noticed that
David looked around and he noticed that the way that most consulting was done is
the way that most consulting was done is
the way that most consulting was done is people come in and they look for
people come in and they look for
people come in and they look for problems they ask questions like what’s
problems they ask questions like what’s
problems they ask questions like what’s wrong or what’s broken or what’s missing
wrong or what’s broken or what’s missing
wrong or what’s broken or what’s missing but David had this like intuitive
but David had this like intuitive
but David had this like intuitive curiosity because he believed that human
curiosity because he believed that human
curiosity because he believed that human systems move in the direction of the
systems move in the direction of the
systems move in the direction of the conversations they have which are guided
conversations they have which are guided
conversations they have which are guided by the questions that they ask and so he
by the questions that they ask and so he
by the questions that they ask and so he thought maybe there’s another way maybe
thought maybe there’s another way maybe
thought maybe there’s another way maybe there’s another way he thought what if
there’s another way he thought what if
there’s another way he thought what if instead of asking about what’s wrong or
instead of asking about what’s wrong or
instead of asking about what’s wrong or what’s broken what if we asked about
what’s broken what if we asked about
what’s broken what if we asked about moments when we’ve been at our very best
moments when we’ve been at our very best
moments when we’ve been at our very best what if we ask questions like what are
what if we ask questions like what are
what if we ask questions like what are my highest human strengths or when if we
my highest human strengths or when if we
my highest human strengths or when if we excelled in why was that and how do we
excelled in why was that and how do we
excelled in why was that and how do we bring more of that into our future so
bring more of that into our future so
bring more of that into our future so that was the essence of how appreciative
that was the essence of how appreciative
that was the essence of how appreciative inquiry all started in the fewest words
inquiry all started in the fewest words
inquiry all started in the fewest words possible I would tell you it is a search
possible I would tell you it is a search
possible I would tell you it is a search using questions for the best of what was
using questions for the best of what was
using questions for the best of what was what is or what could be within any
what is or what could be within any
what is or what could be within any human system when you leave here today
human system when you leave here today
human system when you leave here today with your families in your communities
with your families in your communities
with your families in your communities the dinner table to the boardroom I’m
the dinner table to the boardroom I’m
the dinner table to the boardroom I’m going to share with you a few of the
going to share with you a few of the
going to share with you a few of the questions that we’ve discovered that can
questions that we’ve discovered that can
questions that we’ve discovered that can cause us to really come alive and I
cause us to really come alive and I
cause us to really come alive and I think we need it in this world right now
think we need it in this world right now
think we need it in this world right now if you agree I think we need it we need
if you agree I think we need it we need
if you agree I think we need it we need a positive tipping point and I think
a positive tipping point and I think
a positive tipping point and I think this might be able to do it the first
this might be able to do it the first
this might be able to do it the first kind of question I want to share with
kind of question I want to share with
kind of question I want to share with you is what I would call a question that
you is what I would call a question that
you is what I would call a question that connects us to a greater sense of
connects us to a greater sense of
connects us to a greater sense of purpose a deeper meaning the fundamental
purpose a deeper meaning the fundamental
purpose a deeper meaning the fundamental why question why am I here why does this
why question why am I here why does this
why question why am I here why does this matter last September I was kicking off
matter last September I was kicking off
matter last September I was kicking off our annual 8th annual sustainability
our annual 8th annual sustainability
our annual 8th annual sustainability summit using appreciative inquiry the
summit using appreciative inquiry the
summit using appreciative inquiry the city of Cleveland brings in hundreds of
city of Cleveland brings in hundreds of
city of Cleveland brings in hundreds of citizens it’s not top-down or bottom-up
citizens it’s not top-down or bottom-up
citizens it’s not top-down or bottom-up it’s everyone at once creating designs
it’s everyone at once creating designs
it’s everyone at once creating designs to create a sustainable future for our
to create a sustainable future for our
to create a sustainable future for our city and at the start of the day I
city and at the start of the day I
city and at the start of the day I presented a question and the question
presented a question and the question
presented a question and the question was why are you here what’s calling you
was why are you here what’s calling you
was why are you here what’s calling you to be here and there was a young woman a
to be here and there was a young woman a
to be here and there was a young woman a high school student who stands up to
high school student who stands up to
high school student who stands up to answer that question but before I share
answer that question but before I share
answer that question but before I share her answer consider that there were a
her answer consider that there were a
her answer consider that there were a few other students in the room who I’m
few other students in the room who I’m
few other students in the room who I’m sure they could have answered it by
sure they could have answered it by
sure they could have answered it by thinking well I’m here because my
thinking well I’m here because my
thinking well I’m here because my teacher said I need to be here I’m here
teacher said I need to be here I’m here
teacher said I need to be here I’m here because this might be interesting and
because this might be interesting and
because this might be interesting and let’s not forget that when we asked a
let’s not forget that when we asked a
let’s not forget that when we asked a question why are we here what is my
question why are we here what is my
question why are we here what is my purpose why does this matter that we
purpose why does this matter that we
purpose why does this matter that we have total control over the meaning that
have total control over the meaning that
have total control over the meaning that we give in that moment and what she said
we give in that moment and what she said
we give in that moment and what she said is she said I’m here because when I
is she said I’m here because when I
is she said I’m here because when I walked to school every day she said I
walked to school every day she said I
walked to school every day she said I walked by abandoned properties and she
walked by abandoned properties and she
walked by abandoned properties and she said on these properties things happen
said on these properties things happen
said on these properties things happen that are scary and she said I just hope
that are scary and she said I just hope
that are scary and she said I just hope that one day maybe these properties
that one day maybe these properties
that one day maybe these properties could be turned into playgrounds in
could be turned into playgrounds in
could be turned into playgrounds in Gardens well what ended up happening you
Gardens well what ended up happening you
Gardens well what ended up happening you might guess within a few hours there’s a
might guess within a few hours there’s a
might guess within a few hours there’s a team using design thinking and
team using design thinking and
team using design thinking and prototyping that came together around
prototyping that came together around
prototyping that came together around this idea and I’m going to show you the
this idea and I’m going to show you the
this idea and I’m going to show you the moment that she presented this vision to
moment that she presented this vision to
moment that she presented this vision to the whole room just a few hours later
know that they can affect climate change
know that they can affect climate change in their own neighborhood that later but
in their own neighborhood that later but
in their own neighborhood that later but now but the story doesn’t end right
now but the story doesn’t end right
now but the story doesn’t end right there because a few minutes later a
there because a few minutes later a
there because a few minutes later a volunteer grabs me by the shirt she’s
volunteer grabs me by the shirt she’s
volunteer grabs me by the shirt she’s holding back tears she says John she
holding back tears she says John she
holding back tears she says John she says you wouldn’t believe it she said
says you wouldn’t believe it she said
says you wouldn’t believe it she said after that presentation one of the
after that presentation one of the
after that presentation one of the participants had walked over to the girl
participants had walked over to the girl
participants had walked over to the girl handed her a post-it note with an
handed her a post-it note with an
handed her a post-it note with an address must have been a real-estate
address must have been a real-estate
address must have been a real-estate investor and said I’m gifting you this
investor and said I’m gifting you this
investor and said I’m gifting you this property to see this dream come alive I
property to see this dream come alive I
property to see this dream come alive I share that with you because when the why
share that with you because when the why
share that with you because when the why our purpose when the Y is strong enough
our purpose when the Y is strong enough
our purpose when the Y is strong enough I believe in we see that the how reveals
I believe in we see that the how reveals
I believe in we see that the how reveals itself and when our purpose becomes
itself and when our purpose becomes
itself and when our purpose becomes shared what happens is impossible can
shared what happens is impossible can
shared what happens is impossible can become probable one of the most exciting
become probable one of the most exciting
become probable one of the most exciting projects that I’m working on along with
projects that I’m working on along with
projects that I’m working on along with a team at Case Western Reserve we’re so
a team at Case Western Reserve we’re so
a team at Case Western Reserve we’re so excited to support this is called aim to
excited to support this is called aim to
excited to support this is called aim to flourish and our goal is to change the
flourish and our goal is to change the
flourish and our goal is to change the purpose of business around the world
purpose of business around the world
purpose of business around the world that’s a big goal and I’ll explain what
that’s a big goal and I’ll explain what
that’s a big goal and I’ll explain what we’re trying to do is we’re partnering
we’re trying to do is we’re partnering
we’re trying to do is we’re partnering with business schools who are teaching
with business schools who are teaching
with business schools who are teaching their students how to use appreciative
their students how to use appreciative
their students how to use appreciative inquiry positive questions to go into
inquiry positive questions to go into
inquiry positive questions to go into their communities and to find
their communities and to find
their communities and to find innovations that are solving any one of
innovations that are solving any one of
innovations that are solving any one of the 17 global goals and so they’re
the 17 global goals and so they’re
the 17 global goals and so they’re finding innovators and CEOs and business
finding innovators and CEOs and business
finding innovators and CEOs and business leaders and entrepreneurs who have
leaders and entrepreneurs who have
leaders and entrepreneurs who have purposed themselves and we believe this
purposed themselves and we believe this
purposed themselves and we believe this could be the future of business what is
could be the future of business what is
could be the future of business what is flourishing mean the future purpose of
flourishing mean the future purpose of
flourishing mean the future purpose of business could be not just economic
business could be not just economic
business could be not just economic prosperity but when every entrepreneur
prosperity but when every entrepreneur
prosperity but when every entrepreneur is also asking how do we create
is also asking how do we create
is also asking how do we create ecological prosperity and social
ecological prosperity and social
ecological prosperity and social prosperity so we want to find those
prosperity so we want to find those
prosperity so we want to find those stories and I’ll share just a few that
stories and I’ll share just a few that
stories and I’ll share just a few that our students and professors are
our students and professors are
our students and professors are uncovering in this village right here is
uncovering in this village right here is
uncovering in this village right here is turning tapioca into plastic bags this
turning tapioca into plastic bags this
turning tapioca into plastic bags this was discovered by a business school in
was discovered by a business school in
was discovered by a business school in Indonesia the business is called green
Indonesia the business is called green
Indonesia the business is called green hope these are not ordinary plastic bags
hope these are not ordinary plastic bags
hope these are not ordinary plastic bags like what we see at the grocery store
like what we see at the grocery store
like what we see at the grocery store those bags take 500 years to decompose
those bags take 500 years to decompose
those bags take 500 years to decompose these bags that they’ve found a way to
these bags that they’ve found a way to
these bags that they’ve found a way to create years of R&D they decompose in
create years of R&D they decompose in
create years of R&D they decompose in two weeks
two weeks
two weeks imagine what that does for our planet
imagine what that does for our planet
imagine what that does for our planet when that scales up or the story of
when that scales up or the story of
when that scales up or the story of lucky Iron Fist which was discovered by
lucky Iron Fist which was discovered by
lucky Iron Fist which was discovered by some students at Guelph University
some students at Guelph University
some students at Guelph University Guelph University in Canada
Guelph University in Canada
Guelph University in Canada and it was to resolve a major issue in
and it was to resolve a major issue in
and it was to resolve a major issue in the country of Cambodia where they have
the country of Cambodia where they have
the country of Cambodia where they have a big deficiency in iron well here’s the
a big deficiency in iron well here’s the
a big deficiency in iron well here’s the school you take that little fish and you
school you take that little fish and you
school you take that little fish and you drop it into a pot of boiling water
drop it into a pot of boiling water
drop it into a pot of boiling water while they’re cooking their food and it
while they’re cooking their food and it
while they’re cooking their food and it gets them all the iron they need in a
gets them all the iron they need in a
gets them all the iron they need in a day and it started there and it’s on
day and it started there and it’s on
day and it started there and it’s on almost every continent now there’s like
almost every continent now there’s like
almost every continent now there’s like 80,000 of these fish that have gone out
80,000 of these fish that have gone out
80,000 of these fish that have gone out around the world these are the stories
around the world these are the stories
around the world these are the stories that the world needs to hear but it’s
that the world needs to hear but it’s
that the world needs to hear but it’s also in our own country our own backyard
also in our own country our own backyard
also in our own country our own backyard Casey Crawford started a mortgage
Casey Crawford started a mortgage
Casey Crawford started a mortgage company in 2008 and he was driven by
company in 2008 and he was driven by
company in 2008 and he was driven by this idea of we need to do this based on
this idea of we need to do this based on
this idea of we need to do this based on loving and valuing people and you can
loving and valuing people and you can
loving and valuing people and you can get caught up in the headlines they’ve
get caught up in the headlines they’ve
get caught up in the headlines they’ve grown from a few employees to like 5,000
grown from a few employees to like 5,000
grown from a few employees to like 5,000 they’re one of the fastest growing epic
they’re one of the fastest growing epic
they’re one of the fastest growing epic stories in their industry but what I
stories in their industry but what I
stories in their industry but what I want you to hear about is how they’ve
want you to hear about is how they’ve
want you to hear about is how they’ve done it based on their purpose
done it based on their purpose
done it based on their purpose last year alone they granted over a
last year alone they granted over a
last year alone they granted over a million dollars to their own employees
million dollars to their own employees
million dollars to their own employees who are facing times of hardship last
who are facing times of hardship last
who are facing times of hardship last year they invested I think it was north
year they invested I think it was north
year they invested I think it was north of 10 million dollars into community
of 10 million dollars into community
of 10 million dollars into community projects to create jobs and offices for
projects to create jobs and offices for
projects to create jobs and offices for local nonprofits to do outreach these
local nonprofits to do outreach these
local nonprofits to do outreach these are the stories we need to share about
are the stories we need to share about
are the stories we need to share about business as a force for good in the
business as a force for good in the
business as a force for good in the world one of my favorite restaurants
world one of my favorite restaurants
world one of my favorite restaurants Cafe gratitude out in the West Coast
Cafe gratitude out in the West Coast
Cafe gratitude out in the West Coast never forget the first time I’m there
never forget the first time I’m there
never forget the first time I’m there it’s it’s vegan and I’m excited to try
it’s it’s vegan and I’m excited to try
it’s it’s vegan and I’m excited to try this out and I’m sitting down eating my
this out and I’m sitting down eating my
this out and I’m sitting down eating my first meal and I realized somebody’s
first meal and I realized somebody’s
first meal and I realized somebody’s pulling a prank on me because a few
pulling a prank on me because a few
pulling a prank on me because a few bites in I’m eating it’s bacon somebody
bites in I’m eating it’s bacon somebody
bites in I’m eating it’s bacon somebody had like stuck bacon into the vegan
had like stuck bacon into the vegan
had like stuck bacon into the vegan place and it was really good bacon and I
place and it was really good bacon and I
place and it was really good bacon and I didn’t mind but I called somebody over
didn’t mind but I called somebody over
didn’t mind but I called somebody over I’m like look I don’t have a problem
I’m like look I don’t have a problem
I’m like look I don’t have a problem with this but you might want to know you
with this but you might want to know you
with this but you might want to know you know your vegan restaurant I’m eating
know your vegan restaurant I’m eating
know your vegan restaurant I’m eating bacon and I’ll never forget the woman
bacon and I’ll never forget the woman
bacon and I’ll never forget the woman leans in with this big smile on her face
leans in with this big smile on her face
leans in with this big smile on her face she goes oh no sir that bacon is made
she goes oh no sir that bacon is made
she goes oh no sir that bacon is made out of coconut coconut bacon who’d have
out of coconut coconut bacon who’d have
out of coconut coconut bacon who’d have thought that was the moment I almost
thought that was the moment I almost
thought that was the moment I almost became a vegan huh okay what I really
became a vegan huh okay what I really
became a vegan huh okay what I really want you to hear is is is there
want you to hear is is is there
want you to hear is is is there philosophy which was put in their book
philosophy which was put in their book
philosophy which was put in their book by their founders sacred commerce one of
by their founders sacred commerce one of
by their founders sacred commerce one of the many games that they play is after
the many games that they play is after
the many games that they play is after they take your order they present a
they take your order they present a
they take your order they present a question to the table like what are you
question to the table like what are you
question to the table like what are you grateful for or what are you proud of or
grateful for or what are you proud of or
grateful for or what are you proud of or what are your unique strengths so that
what are your unique strengths so that
what are your unique strengths so that when they walk away there’s an uplifting
when they walk away there’s an uplifting
when they walk away there’s an uplifting dialogue we need these stories in the
dialogue we need these stories in the
dialogue we need these stories in the world and I’m so proud to tell you that
world and I’m so proud to tell you that
world and I’m so proud to tell you that this initiative that we’re supporting we
this initiative that we’re supporting we
this initiative that we’re supporting we just finished our pilot phase and right
just finished our pilot phase and right
just finished our pilot phase and right now we have 210 professors 91 business
now we have 210 professors 91 business
now we have 210 professors 91 business schools in 59 countries in the future
schools in 59 countries in the future
schools in 59 countries in the future nobody will say business as a force for
nobody will say business as a force for
nobody will say business as a force for good because they’ll
good because they’ll
good because they’ll just understand that’s why you start a
just understand that’s why you start a
just understand that’s why you start a business the second type of question I
business the second type of question I
business the second type of question I want to share with you today is what we
want to share with you today is what we
want to share with you today is what we call questions that connect us to our
call questions that connect us to our
call questions that connect us to our strengths our highest human strengths
strengths our highest human strengths
strengths our highest human strengths when have you been at your best when are
when have you been at your best when are
when have you been at your best when are you at your best it doesn’t matter what
you at your best it doesn’t matter what
you at your best it doesn’t matter what stage or season we’re at in life once we
stage or season we’re at in life once we
stage or season we’re at in life once we connect to strengths we don’t just
connect to strengths we don’t just
connect to strengths we don’t just perform things can transform we had a
perform things can transform we had a
perform things can transform we had a one of our team members mo McKenna was
one of our team members mo McKenna was
one of our team members mo McKenna was teaching some educators in Canada how to
teaching some educators in Canada how to
teaching some educators in Canada how to use a pre shoot of inquiry and one of
use a pre shoot of inquiry and one of
use a pre shoot of inquiry and one of the teachers came back a few weeks later
the teachers came back a few weeks later
the teachers came back a few weeks later and said mo you’d never guess what we’re
and said mo you’d never guess what we’re
and said mo you’d never guess what we’re doing we’ve stopped just finding
doing we’ve stopped just finding
doing we’ve stopped just finding everything that’s wrong with the red pen
everything that’s wrong with the red pen
everything that’s wrong with the red pen and we’ve started circling what they’re
and we’ve started circling what they’re
and we’ve started circling what they’re doing right with the blue pen and all
doing right with the blue pen and all
doing right with the blue pen and all the sudden the students are not only
the sudden the students are not only
the sudden the students are not only able to improve faster because they see
able to improve faster because they see
able to improve faster because they see where to go but they’re motivated and
where to go but they’re motivated and
where to go but they’re motivated and they’re inspired because when we connect
they’re inspired because when we connect
they’re inspired because when we connect to strengths it lifts us up emotionally
to strengths it lifts us up emotionally
to strengths it lifts us up emotionally or this story less than an hour from
or this story less than an hour from
or this story less than an hour from here 10 years ago our team member Jackie
here 10 years ago our team member Jackie
here 10 years ago our team member Jackie Stavros was invited to a manufacturing
Stavros was invited to a manufacturing
Stavros was invited to a manufacturing plant in Cadillac Michigan and this
plant in Cadillac Michigan and this
plant in Cadillac Michigan and this plant invited her in to help them to put
plant invited her in to help them to put
plant invited her in to help them to put together a plan to help shut down the
together a plan to help shut down the
together a plan to help shut down the plant because they weren’t performing
plant because they weren’t performing
plant because they weren’t performing they were slated to be shut down well
they were slated to be shut down well
they were slated to be shut down well Jackie walks in the door and you can
Jackie walks in the door and you can
Jackie walks in the door and you can imagine the tensions are high
imagine the tensions are high
imagine the tensions are high morale is low and Jackie she says what
morale is low and Jackie she says what
morale is low and Jackie she says what if instead of a plan to shut it down
if instead of a plan to shut it down
if instead of a plan to shut it down what if a we had a plan to revitalize
what if a we had a plan to revitalize
what if a we had a plan to revitalize and they say you can’t do that and how
and they say you can’t do that and how
and they say you can’t do that and how would you do it anyways well there’s
would you do it anyways well there’s
would you do it anyways well there’s something they didn’t know about Jackie
something they didn’t know about Jackie
something they didn’t know about Jackie Jackie is a 20-plus year pioneer and
Jackie is a 20-plus year pioneer and
Jackie is a 20-plus year pioneer and appreciative inquiry and what they
appreciative inquiry and what they
appreciative inquiry and what they didn’t know is that Jackie had her own
didn’t know is that Jackie had her own
didn’t know is that Jackie had her own strategic planning approach that had
strategic planning approach that had
strategic planning approach that had already been proven in hundreds of
already been proven in hundreds of
already been proven in hundreds of companies as an alternative to what they
companies as an alternative to what they
companies as an alternative to what they teach in schools they call it SWAT where
teach in schools they call it SWAT where
teach in schools they call it SWAT where businesses look at their strengths and
businesses look at their strengths and
businesses look at their strengths and their weaknesses their opportunities and
their weaknesses their opportunities and
their weaknesses their opportunities and their threats but Jackie’s approach is
their threats but Jackie’s approach is
their threats but Jackie’s approach is called soar where you look at your
called soar where you look at your
called soar where you look at your strengths and then your opportunities
strengths and then your opportunities
strengths and then your opportunities and then your aspirations your visions
and then your aspirations your visions
and then your aspirations your visions when you use those things and then the
when you use those things and then the
when you use those things and then the results that you want to create and when
results that you want to create and when
results that you want to create and when we tap into our strengths things happen
we tap into our strengths things happen
we tap into our strengths things happen that we didn’t think it happened that
that we didn’t think it happened that
that we didn’t think it happened that plant is flourishing ten years later
plant is flourishing ten years later
plant is flourishing ten years later today or the story of Birmingham
today or the story of Birmingham
today or the story of Birmingham Children’s Hospital our colleagues in
Children’s Hospital our colleagues in
Children’s Hospital our colleagues in the UK Suzanne Quinny and Tim Clark
the UK Suzanne Quinny and Tim Clark
the UK Suzanne Quinny and Tim Clark introduced them to appreciative inquiry
introduced them to appreciative inquiry
introduced them to appreciative inquiry and now instead of asking how do we make
and now instead of asking how do we make
and now instead of asking how do we make fewer errors they’re saying how do we
fewer errors they’re saying how do we
fewer errors they’re saying how do we learn from excellence here’s the
learn from excellence here’s the
learn from excellence here’s the beautiful thing about tapping into
beautiful thing about tapping into
beautiful thing about tapping into strengths we know this we know that when
strengths we know this we know that when
strengths we know this we know that when we’re in a positive state of mind which
we’re in a positive state of mind which
we’re in a positive state of mind which our strengths will bring this there
our strengths will bring this there
our strengths will bring this there now have the data the undeniable
now have the data the undeniable
now have the data the undeniable empirical data the wonderful field of
empirical data the wonderful field of
empirical data the wonderful field of positive psychology the great work of
positive psychology the great work of
positive psychology the great work of leaders like dr. Barbara Fredrickson and
leaders like dr. Barbara Fredrickson and
leaders like dr. Barbara Fredrickson and her theory on broadening and building is
her theory on broadening and building is
her theory on broadening and building is now proven hundreds of studies have
now proven hundreds of studies have
now proven hundreds of studies have proven it out that when we’re in a good
proven it out that when we’re in a good
proven it out that when we’re in a good state of mind
state of mind
state of mind were smarter were more creative were
were smarter were more creative were
were smarter were more creative were innovative and were more resilient so I
innovative and were more resilient so I
innovative and were more resilient so I invite you when you leave here to ask
invite you when you leave here to ask
invite you when you leave here to ask yourselves on the break what are my
yourselves on the break what are my
yourselves on the break what are my strengths how do I play them into my
strengths how do I play them into my
strengths how do I play them into my lives even more the third question I
lives even more the third question I
lives even more the third question I want to share with you what are the
want to share with you what are the
want to share with you what are the kinds of questions that connect us to
kinds of questions that connect us to
kinds of questions that connect us to new and exciting images of the future
new and exciting images of the future
new and exciting images of the future for just a moment right now I want you
for just a moment right now I want you
for just a moment right now I want you to think ahead a year five years ten
to think ahead a year five years ten
to think ahead a year five years ten years a hundred years whatever you want
years a hundred years whatever you want
years a hundred years whatever you want to do and ask yourself what kind of
to do and ask yourself what kind of
to do and ask yourself what kind of images dreams give me the greatest sense
images dreams give me the greatest sense
images dreams give me the greatest sense of purpose fulfillment meaning and
of purpose fulfillment meaning and
of purpose fulfillment meaning and passion and don’t stop asking that
passion and don’t stop asking that
passion and don’t stop asking that question when you leave because we end
question when you leave because we end
question when you leave because we end up where we ask about I got a phone call
up where we ask about I got a phone call
up where we ask about I got a phone call last year from a wish organization
last year from a wish organization
last year from a wish organization called the front row foundation and what
called the front row foundation and what
called the front row foundation and what they wanted to do is invite instead of a
they wanted to do is invite instead of a
they wanted to do is invite instead of a six person board meeting they wanted to
six person board meeting they wanted to
six person board meeting they wanted to invite all of their community 35 people
invite all of their community 35 people
invite all of their community 35 people to come in to create a shared vision and
to come in to create a shared vision and
to come in to create a shared vision and so we hosted an appreciative inquiry
so we hosted an appreciative inquiry
so we hosted an appreciative inquiry summit and during the day many of their
summit and during the day many of their
summit and during the day many of their supporters are entrepreneurs and these
supporters are entrepreneurs and these
supporters are entrepreneurs and these entrepreneurs came up with an
entrepreneurs came up with an
entrepreneurs came up with an interesting idea because the question
interesting idea because the question
interesting idea because the question that was given to them is what kind of
that was given to them is what kind of
that was given to them is what kind of innovative ways could we do fundraising
innovative ways could we do fundraising
innovative ways could we do fundraising that are less expensive but actually
that are less expensive but actually
that are less expensive but actually work better write better questions
work better write better questions
work better write better questions create better results and one of the
create better results and one of the
create better results and one of the teams came up with this idea of as
teams came up with this idea of as
teams came up with this idea of as entrepreneurs what if we just offer up
entrepreneurs what if we just offer up
entrepreneurs what if we just offer up each other’s strengths like a
each other’s strengths like a
each other’s strengths like a marketplace like hey I can do this and
marketplace like hey I can do this and
marketplace like hey I can do this and you’re interested in that and we can
you’re interested in that and we can
you’re interested in that and we can funnel the money to the front row it was
funnel the money to the front row it was
funnel the money to the front row it was a cool idea everybody loved it that
a cool idea everybody loved it that
a cool idea everybody loved it that night we’re sitting around the fire pit
night we’re sitting around the fire pit
night we’re sitting around the fire pit on my back deck of my home reminiscing
on my back deck of my home reminiscing
on my back deck of my home reminiscing about one day if this vision comes to
about one day if this vision comes to
about one day if this vision comes to life when somebody leans over taps me on
life when somebody leans over taps me on
life when somebody leans over taps me on the shoulder and whispers hey John don’t
the shoulder and whispers hey John don’t
the shoulder and whispers hey John don’t you have a training event coming up that
you have a training event coming up that
you have a training event coming up that that that woman right over there is
that that woman right over there is
that that woman right over there is probably going to buy a ticket too so
probably going to buy a ticket too so
probably going to buy a ticket too so what are you acting off right now around
what are you acting off right now around
what are you acting off right now around the fire pit at that great idea I became
the fire pit at that great idea I became
the fire pit at that great idea I became the auctioneer right I sold a ticket we
the auctioneer right I sold a ticket we
the auctioneer right I sold a ticket we raised a few thousand bucks in a few
raised a few thousand bucks in a few
raised a few thousand bucks in a few minutes but it didn’t stop there what
minutes but it didn’t stop there what
minutes but it didn’t stop there what ended up happening is somebody else
ended up happening is somebody else
ended up happening is somebody else stood up and said well I’ve got an idea
stood up and said well I’ve got an idea
stood up and said well I’ve got an idea and I’ve got an idea and I’ve got a
and I’ve got an idea and I’ve got a
and I’ve got an idea and I’ve got a strength to offer a value to create
strength to offer a value to create
strength to offer a value to create someone said well I’d be into that and
someone said well I’d be into that and
someone said well I’d be into that and we kept going the wine and beer didn’t
we kept going the wine and beer didn’t
we kept going the wine and beer didn’t hurt we kept going and and and after
hurt we kept going and and and after
hurt we kept going and and and after about an hour somebody says how much
about an hour somebody says how much
about an hour somebody says how much money have we raised 20 30 40 50
money have we raised 20 30 40 50
money have we raised 20 30 40 50 we start counting 60 we’re at
we start counting 60 we’re at
we start counting 60 we’re at eighty-three thousand dollars because
eighty-three thousand dollars because
eighty-three thousand dollars because we’re connecting our strengths but it
we’re connecting our strengths but it
we’re connecting our strengths but it didn’t stop there there’s one guy our
didn’t stop there there’s one guy our
didn’t stop there there’s one guy our friend John Kane you always need one guy
friend John Kane you always need one guy
friend John Kane you always need one guy like this he goes if we get to a hundred
like this he goes if we get to a hundred
like this he goes if we get to a hundred grand as we thought we were done he says
grand as we thought we were done he says
grand as we thought we were done he says I’m gonna tattoo the front row logo
I’m gonna tattoo the front row logo
I’m gonna tattoo the front row logo right here on my arm right and as the
right here on my arm right and as the
right here on my arm right and as the auctioneer eyelid the only thing I can
auctioneer eyelid the only thing I can
auctioneer eyelid the only thing I can think of which was who else will get a
think of which was who else will get a
think of which was who else will get a tattoo if we get to a hundred grand and
tattoo if we get to a hundred grand and
tattoo if we get to a hundred grand and you already know what happened when
you already know what happened when
you already know what happened when tattoos are on the line people find a
tattoos are on the line people find a
tattoos are on the line people find a way to raise money we did it and what’s
way to raise money we did it and what’s
way to raise money we did it and what’s really cool is we had Nick Kahn Adara
really cool is we had Nick Kahn Adara
really cool is we had Nick Kahn Adara our filmmaker was there to capture the
our filmmaker was there to capture the
our filmmaker was there to capture the final moment when we got the last one
final moment when we got the last one
final moment when we got the last one two grand we did call our friend Steven
two grand we did call our friend Steven
two grand we did call our friend Steven Christopher woke him up out of his sleep
Christopher woke him up out of his sleep
Christopher woke him up out of his sleep I think he was naked you could see we
I think he was naked you could see we
I think he was naked you could see we FaceTime him and and he got us over the
FaceTime him and and he got us over the
FaceTime him and and he got us over the line by the end of the day we had far
line by the end of the day we had far
line by the end of the day we had far exceeded anything ever sound if you seal
exceeded anything ever sound if you seal
exceeded anything ever sound if you seal the deal by donating three thousand
the deal by donating three thousand
the deal by donating three thousand dollars of the front row to put us over
dollars of the front row to put us over
dollars of the front row to put us over a hundred thousand dollars he’s had done
a hundred thousand dollars he’s had done
a hundred thousand dollars he’s had done [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] and the reason that happened is not
and the reason that happened is not
and the reason that happened is not because the board said here’s our vision
because the board said here’s our vision
because the board said here’s our vision the reason it happened is because the
the reason it happened is because the
the reason it happened is because the board said we want our community to
board said we want our community to
board said we want our community to co-create the vision because when vision
co-create the vision because when vision
co-create the vision because when vision is created together people want to see
is created together people want to see
is created together people want to see it come alive and in this case it came
it come alive and in this case it came
it come alive and in this case it came alive faster and more naturally and far
alive faster and more naturally and far
alive faster and more naturally and far more inexpensively than it ever had
more inexpensively than it ever had
more inexpensively than it ever had before one of the reasons we love to
before one of the reasons we love to
before one of the reasons we love to bring communities into nature is because
bring communities into nature is because
bring communities into nature is because I believe there’s some sort of deep
I believe there’s some sort of deep
I believe there’s some sort of deep wisdom that nature brings to us I can’t
wisdom that nature brings to us I can’t
wisdom that nature brings to us I can’t always explain it but one of the things
always explain it but one of the things
always explain it but one of the things I feel like it’s always reminding me of
I feel like it’s always reminding me of
I feel like it’s always reminding me of is how connected we all really are but
is how connected we all really are but
is how connected we all really are but yet at the same time I wonder in today’s
yet at the same time I wonder in today’s
yet at the same time I wonder in today’s world are we really that connected as
world are we really that connected as
world are we really that connected as this photographer helps us to see by
this photographer helps us to see by
this photographer helps us to see by removing the devices from the hands of
removing the devices from the hands of
removing the devices from the hands of the subjects where are we more
the subjects where are we more
the subjects where are we more disconnected than we’ve ever been think
disconnected than we’ve ever been think
disconnected than we’ve ever been think about that for a minute so my invitation
about that for a minute so my invitation
about that for a minute so my invitation to you Myra much better-looking audience
to you Myra much better-looking audience
to you Myra much better-looking audience than that one
than that one
than that one my invitation is that when you leave
my invitation is that when you leave
my invitation is that when you leave here don’t keep these questions for
here don’t keep these questions for
here don’t keep these questions for yourselves bring them to your lunch
yourselves bring them to your lunch
yourselves bring them to your lunch bring them to the break ask each other
bring them to the break ask each other
bring them to the break ask each other what is your purpose what are your
what is your purpose what are your
what is your purpose what are your strengths what are your visions and as
strengths what are your visions and as
strengths what are your visions and as Mary Parker Follett the great community
Mary Parker Follett the great community
Mary Parker Follett the great community organizer born in the late 1800s and
organizer born in the late 1800s and
organizer born in the late 1800s and Boston used to say it’s not uniformity
Boston used to say it’s not uniformity
Boston used to say it’s not uniformity but unity that makes us strong embrace
but unity that makes us strong embrace
but unity that makes us strong embrace the diversity of your answers because
the diversity of your answers because
the diversity of your answers because together that’s what makes the future
together that’s what makes the future
together that’s what makes the future even brighter and more possible I have
even brighter and more possible I have
even brighter and more possible I have one more story to share and actually I
one more story to share and actually I
one more story to share and actually I want to invite up brother James to play
want to invite up brother James to play
want to invite up brother James to play a little tune to help us out with the
a little tune to help us out with the
a little tune to help us out with the stories that sound good
stories that sound good
stories that sound good all right this question 17 years ago we
all right this question 17 years ago we
all right this question 17 years ago we got a phone call at the time it was un
got a phone call at the time it was un
got a phone call at the time it was un secretary-general Kofi Annan in his
secretary-general Kofi Annan in his
secretary-general Kofi Annan in his office had asked us to facilitate an
office had asked us to facilitate an
office had asked us to facilitate an appreciative inquiry summit for the
appreciative inquiry summit for the
appreciative inquiry summit for the largest convening in history of 500 CEOs
largest convening in history of 500 CEOs
largest convening in history of 500 CEOs of the largest corporations in the world
of the largest corporations in the world
of the largest corporations in the world and at that summit we presented this
and at that summit we presented this
and at that summit we presented this question what is happening a generation
question what is happening a generation
question what is happening a generation from now in your image of the future
from now in your image of the future
from now in your image of the future that you most want to create
that you most want to create
that you most want to create and we captured the data we’ve repeated
and we captured the data we’ve repeated
and we captured the data we’ve repeated this experiment three times since then
this experiment three times since then
this experiment three times since then at our global forum for business as an
at our global forum for business as an
at our global forum for business as an agent of world benefit that we host
agent of world benefit that we host
agent of world benefit that we host every three years in Cleveland our next
every three years in Cleveland our next
every three years in Cleveland our next one is in a month where we going to do
one is in a month where we going to do
one is in a month where we going to do this again we’ve taken all the data from
this again we’ve taken all the data from
this again we’ve taken all the data from all their answers we’ve summarized it
all their answers we’ve summarized it
all their answers we’ve summarized it synthesized it into themes they’re words
synthesized it into themes they’re words
synthesized it into themes they’re words that I’m now going to share with you
that I’m now going to share with you
that I’m now going to share with you because I want you to know there’s hope
because I want you to know there’s hope
because I want you to know there’s hope and we can all do this together with new
and we can all do this together with new
and we can all do this together with new questions their answers start with this
questions their answers start with this
questions their answers start with this we see a bright green restorative
we see a bright green restorative
we see a bright green restorative economy that purifies the air that we
economy that purifies the air that we
economy that purifies the air that we breathe it has eliminated the very
breathe it has eliminated the very
breathe it has eliminated the very concept of waste and toxic byproducts
concept of waste and toxic byproducts
concept of waste and toxic byproducts extreme poverty has been eradicated from
extreme poverty has been eradicated from
extreme poverty has been eradicated from the planet the economy’s
the planet the economy’s
the planet the economy’s industry-leading stars are celebrated as
industry-leading stars are celebrated as
industry-leading stars are celebrated as creators of sustainable value what we
creators of sustainable value what we
creators of sustainable value what we see when we look around our resilient
see when we look around our resilient
see when we look around our resilient bright green and walkable cities
bright green and walkable cities
bright green and walkable cities regenerative agriculture astonishing
regenerative agriculture astonishing
regenerative agriculture astonishing exponential technologies in all of this
exponential technologies in all of this
exponential technologies in all of this is built on an economy of institutions
is built on an economy of institutions
is built on an economy of institutions that are widely trusted workplaces that
that are widely trusted workplaces that
that are widely trusted workplaces that elevate magnify and lift up our highest
elevate magnify and lift up our highest
elevate magnify and lift up our highest human strengths we built the bridge from
human strengths we built the bridge from
human strengths we built the bridge from an unsustainable industrial age to a
an unsustainable industrial age to a
an unsustainable industrial age to a future that embraces the idea of
future that embraces the idea of
future that embraces the idea of flourishing for all we have redesigned
flourishing for all we have redesigned
flourishing for all we have redesigned the entire material basis of our
the entire material basis of our
the entire material basis of our civilization successfully thank you
civilization successfully thank you
civilization successfully thank you Traverse City thank you very much have a
Traverse City thank you very much have a
Traverse City thank you very much have a great day thank you thank you
”
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