Appreciative Inquiry:

Asking Powerful Questions for Career

Change

By Rob Archer C.Psychol

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Vision

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Imagine its 2015, you are working successfully in your new career.

Your work gives you the kind of experiences you really want in life.

Draw an image of this job.•What is happening?

•What are you doing that is helping it happen?

•Who else is involved?

•What’s the best thing that is going on?

Powerful Questions for Each Stage of the Process

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Before you start the process:1. What question, if answered, could make the most difference to the future of (your situation)?2. What’s important to you about (your situation) and why do you care?3. What’s our intention here? What’s the deeper purpose (the big “why”) that is really worthy of our best effort?4. What opportunities can you see in (your situation)?5. What do we know so far/still need to learn about (your situation)?6. What are the dilemmas in (your situation)?7. What assumptions do we need to test or challenge here in thinking about (your situation)?8. identify one thing you can do now, or be doing differently, that will make your dreams of the future more likelyAfter you’ve done some other exercises and worked on your criteria:9. What had real meaning for you from what you’ve done? What surprised you? What challenged you?10. What’s missing from this picture so far? What is it you’re not seeing? What do you need more clarity about?11. What’s been your major learning, insight, or discovery so far?After you’ve done some other exercises and worked on some options:12. What would it take to create change on this issue?13. What could happen that would enable you to feel fully engaged and energized about your situation?14. What needs your immediate attention going forward?When preparing for action:15. If your success was completely guaranteed, what bold steps might you choose?16. What challenges might come your way and how might you meet them?17. What conversation, if begun today, could create new possibilities for the future of (your situation)?18. What seed might we plant together today that could make the most difference to the future of (your situation)?

The Career Psychologist an independent occupational

psychology consultancy based in London.

We offer coaching, consultancy, training,

measurement and assessment to individuals and businesses looking to

make a change for the better.

www.thecareerpsychologist.com

www.linkedin.com/robarcher