“Appreciative Inquiry is about seeing what others may not see. It’s about heightening our awareness of the value, strength and potential of ourselves and others – and overcoming the limits that we impose, often unconsciously, on our own and our organisation’s capacities.”

Kate specialises in the increasingly popular facilitation tool known as Appreciative Inquiry or AI

Developed in the USA, Appreciative Inquiry is an internationally-recognised approach to delivering sustained and positive organisational improvement. It has been used successfully by a number of international corporations, including British Airways, and can also be applied to the public sector with great effect.

Appreciative Inquiry has three main principles:

Using Appreciative Inquiry techniques, Kate helps organisations to undergo a ‘generative’ process that helps bring new possibilities and develop capacities. Through a carefully developed set of questions and a process of dialogue, she helps clients uncover stories of ‘peak experiences’ – those moments within organisations when people feel most effective, connected and alive.

Kate is also a founding director of AI consulting Ltd, working with other skilled consultants who have pooled their expertise across the business, public, voluntary and academic sectors to create a dynamic and versatile team dedicated to Appreciative Inquiry.

www.ai-consulting.co.uk


> See video clips from recent AI events


Over the past 12 months, Kate and colleagues have delivered AI events to a wide range of organisations, including 5 Local Authorities, the National Housing Federation, the SE Employers, the CLG and Department of Health. They are currently delivering training on AI skills and coaching to all 500 managers at Southampton City Council.

"Kate McAllister and colleagues delivered a total of 7 positive engagement sessions for local authority staff, service users, providers and other key stakeholders between October 2006 and February 2007.

Each event was attended between 40 and 70 people and from our perspective was a great success. The information gathered from the events enabled us to feed priorities into our future strategy for supporting people; and later to produce designs for new services and draw up a support charter for the city.

The sessions were extremely successful, professionally delivered and highly enjoyable. We have received positive feedback from delegates and are happy to recommend Kate and the team to any other local authority"

Kenny Robinson. Acting Lead Officer. Liverpool Supporting People.

"As you know, we have been trying to provide experiences to both CSG and CB to help each body understand its governance responsibility, but also to encourage better partnership working. Having read the evaluations, it is clear that both bodies gained significantly from the events. They refer to open and honest discussion; a fun way to deliver rather than in formal environments; generated a common sense of purpose and direction; opportunity to reflect, be creative and look forward .Thanks for your part in delivering these sessions."

Paul Rowley. Accountable Officer. Lincolnshire Supporting People.

"Following a requirement to improve the governance of the programme Kate delivered an appreciative inquiry session to CSG & CB members and the Supporting People Service. The 'creative' and 'fun' approach enabled everyone to join in, forge effective relationships and achieve a huge amount in a short space of time. Feedback from the session was very positive with comments such as: 'Time well spent – I am fully signed up to the programme. Today has pointed me in the right direction and showed steps I need to take corporately and individually', 'Didn’t feel like work', 'Liked the approach and how you cleverly got commitment', 'Real outcomes and commitment identified within the group', 'Collective input and opportunity for real engagement'.”

Tracy Simcox. Supporting People Manager. Walsall.