(A leadership approach to energising the workplace)

This one-day workshop brings together the related practices of appreciative inquiry and solution-focused coaching as an approach to leading that harnesses the energy, enthusiasm and creativity of teachers and leaders.

Both appreciative inquiry and solution-focused coaching are based on growing the school and its people from the foundation of what is already working, and using that as a powerful basis for building even better practice. This style of leadership contrasts with the 'time honoured' process of identifying defects and solving problems by introducing new policies and practices.

The use of appreciative questioning allows leaders to tap into the energy of what is already working for teachers. Past success and the existing status of programs and work-practices are affirmed as the result of the school's previous effort and professional focus. (Whatever the situation in the school, there are usually many things that are working well.) Appreciative questioning taps into these positives and affirms the creative potential of individuals to design and deliver improvements that build upon the foundation of what already exists.

In this workshop participants will:

• Learn how to design appreciative questions.
• Use appreciative questioning to find the starting point for new levels of improvement.
• Experience the difference in enthusiasm and energy that comes from an appreciative focus.
• Develop a deep understanding of the basis of professional learning and growth.

Solution-focused coaching empowers teachers to maintain their own learning journey and to grow generatively. Using a coaching approach, leaders use a solution focus to help their staff to see beyond present obstacles and expand their repertoire of practice.

In this workshop participants will:

• Practise using solution-focused coaching processes.
• Create and use solution-focused questions.
• Learn and practise some powerful solution-focused strategies.
• Learn how to take a solution-focused approach with groups.