Our residents are enjoying their new Chair Chi sessions and are very enthusiastic - they look forward to exercises on a Thursday and are seen performing some of the skills when walking up the corridor! Gives variety to aged care exercise program.
The workshop ‘worked’ for me as it’s left me feeling like I want to know and do more. I understand this means some self-study but I would love the opportunity to reflect on what I’ve learned, access some of the resources, then come back for another few days focusing on ‘being’ a practitioner of Appreciative Inquiry. Then to keep the learning going by having experienced practitioner workshops to share our stories, build our strengths etc. Thanks for creating the program and for giving of your time, energy and multiple intelligences!
This workshop was, by far, one of the most inspirational, thoughtful, action-provoking workshops I have attended for many years - and I've attended many! Two days were not enough - we could have spent the whole week working on the many aspects that were obviously not covered in the timeframe allowed! As a Community Development Trainer and Facilitator, I have been an AI convert for many years and utilise it in professional development workshops that I deliver throughout Australia and for framing generative questions. But this particular course by Sue and Chris gave me a deeper meaning and understanding of AI as a way of viewing my work, family, colleagues and life through a thoroughly more appreciative lens! I cannot recommend the Essence of Appreciative Inquiry highly enough and I'm sure if I did the 2 days again, I would gain bucket-loads more from each workshop!
Really enjoyed the shared wisdom of the group. The handout & references are great to support further learning. Succinct, clear information. Plenty of time to discuss and share. Thank you for a great two days. It was a great overview into AI. Warm, friendly and welcoming.
I appreciated the interesting differences you brought to the process as co-facilitators. The balance between levity and ‘seriosity’ made the day pass pretty quickly. I think you’re offering a nice easing into AI – many thanks for your generosity … live long and prosper!
Very informative, well presented. Learnt a lot. Really like the framework – feel it provides a great approach to empower people to work to bring out & develop the best in themselves and in their organisations. You could not consult/teach AI without walking the talk. Most definitely would recommend!
What did I find valuable? The cards – great reference in future. The activities - having a go at constructing questions and sharing stories. The videos as a break in activity. Sue’s explanations – very clear. Enjoyed having a chance to converse with others in the workshop. Food – great!
Really enjoyed today, particularly valuable for me was your explanation of “provocative propositions”. Best ever! Great to have a practitioner speaking of real experiences. Thank you for a great day. I'd recommend this workshop for anybody who is interested in organisational development, working with community or themselves. Great introduction.
Fantastic, interesting but ALSO very inspiring! I feel ready to do something differnently. I think training with an appreciative approach is more effective than the traditional ‘instructional’ approach. Right mix of doing and listening. Thanks Sue for your generous approach. I'll be using these insights and practical tools in various work for: evaluation, teaching, planning, negotiating with my colleagues.
Very helpful in improving my skills - and helping the aged remain flexible and participate in group activities. (It's) a good way to improve circulation and co-ordination.
Enjoyed the day – thank you. You made it very easy to learn with the experiential training. Very applicable for my position.
The Chair Chi workshop was well presented, the teaching method good. I learned a lot about Tai Chi and Chi, what the aim of it is, and how it is useful in exercise in Aged Care facilities. It was interesting to learn that I have been doing the right thing to let residents do the exercises slowly ... it is interesting, useful and well presented.
It was a promising course which was more to my expectations. I believe I will take with me new skills and knowledge that I can implement into the workplace. Even though it was a one day course I learnt a lot. The practicality was repetitive which is important. Thank you for sharing this knowledge.
Sue's facilitation style was encouraging, engaging and validating. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on recent events in my life, reframe/re-vision the future and reconnect with purpose. I will use it in my practice with others. Enjoyed Chris's comments, exercises and teachings.
An amazing opportunity to be provided the time to reflect on our shared wisdom. An amazing personal journey and hopefully the start of an incredible professional journey.
The best thing about the Essence of Appreciative Inquiry workshop was experiencing AI as a way of integrating the concepts prior to embedding it into my practice. I am an experiential learner and had a very helpful learning experience. I found it a very engaging way of working with the concepts of AI. Program is well designed for maximum engagement.
Thank you both for what has been a very inspiring and insightful two days! I am looking forward to the ongoing growing and learning that will result following today – on both a professional and personal level. AI, to me, is one of those things where once you get a taste you realise how much more there is to it! I am looking forward & feeling very positive about the journey ahead. Very practical yet covered the core principles/theories too, so covers as much as you can in two days!
Thank you so much, Sue and Chris. Your gracious facilitation and your sensitivity to us has enabled our spirits to look and see beyond our own horizons!
A number of club members approached me after the meeting and expressed their appreciation. They indicated that the presentation was both personally beneficial, and beneficial to the club. This is an ideal combination to make our meetings enjoyable and encourage attendance. Thank you for the time taken.
Sue used Appreciative Inquiry methods to draw out ideas for the project from a broad stakeholder group. The shared conversation techniques Sue adopted, the open communication and design ideas that came out of the session were a great success. I have found her to be an enthusiastic and professional facilitator who is able to draw out ideas and establish open and positive communication between stakeholders. I look forward to working with Sue in the facilitation of our future design projects.
I would like to thank you for facilitating the HACC Business Planning Day. There was a great deal of positive feedback about the proceedings and how well you kept things “on Track” which assisted us to achieve more on the day.
Colleagues shared experiences, refocussed negative energy and explored leadership qualities. It was fun, challenging and informative ... The interaction created was a great way to set the context of the Program at the start and a great way to finish off.
The best thing about these sessions was the way you both combined your talents and messages. It tapped into deeper dimensions than many other [professional development sessions] I've attended.
Chris and Sue presented a very well prepared, fun and energising session on a targeted activity developing a Peer Review Performance Model for our college. Their preparedness to listen to our needs in the lead up communication before the activity ensured that the material was relevant and practical. Their work has allowed us to begin our new format with confidence.
The session was very positive and staff really enjoyed the opportunity to interact with others in a fun, social atmosphere while learning some useful strategies for managing stressful situations in the workplace.
This was a very worthwhile session - well presented, thoughtful and inspiring content and professionally hosted. Really appreciated the combination of 'more than talk' and the Tai Chi activities. Many thanks!
Sue not only has the knowledge and skill base as a facilitator to assist companies in moving ahead - she also builds rapport very quickly which makes the insights relevant on a professional and personal level. Sue is a wonderful networker in the area of AI and therefore has the experience and a more global understanding of how companies can go from good to great!
The best thing was learning how to deal with suppliers.
The improvement in staff morale flows on to our client base by improving customer satisfaction. I feel any company considering these services would benefit greatly from the improvement achieved in multiple areas.
Thank you for your session with us. Very positive comments from all the staff. It was very relaxing - nice to do a shared PL [Professional Learning]. The power of collegiate activities is amazing. Great to do something different for health and stress release. It was terrific and so many staff members said how they slept soundly that night.
I found the Chair Chi to be a worthwhile class. At first I wasn't sure what it would be like, Chris showed us good strengthening exercises. It was also a good form of relaxation. Thanks.
We found that Chair Chi provides our residents with a chance of gentle exercise and relaxation which they look forward to on a regular basis. We notice they appear more relaxed after the session, more socially active as they chat amongst each other.
First time I joined in with the residents I felt so relaxed afterwards - that's all you think about at that time, that is where your focus is, you just put all your other thoughts aside. Your feel very refreshed afterwards! It gives another slant on exercises we do, different, good to have that variety. I don't have to ask the residents twice to attend Chair Chi because they really enjoy it, they feel good every time. Overall they look forward to it and that's a bonus. When I say Chair Chi, residents say make sure I come down. ...... just came out of hospital and it's a good way for him to keep up with exercises that are achievable ...... a highlight of her week and she says how much it helps her whole attitude.