Conversations Worth Having

Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement

by Jackie Stavros • 2018 • 162 pages

3.92

439 ratings

Business Leadership Communication

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Key Takeaways

1. Conversations shape our reality and relationships

We live in worlds our conversations create.

Conversation is fundamental. Our interactions, whether internal dialogues or external exchanges, profoundly influence our well-being and potential to thrive. The nature of our conversations falls into four categories:

Conversations Worth Having: Appreciative, inquiry-based dialogues that add value and inspire engagement
Affirmative Conversations: Positive statements that reinforce good behavior but lack depth
Critical Conversations: Judgmental interactions that often lead to defensiveness
Destructive Conversations: Toxic exchanges that erode trust and relationships

The goal is to foster more conversations worth having, which energize people, strengthen relationships, and generate creative possibilities. These conversations matter because they inspire collaboration and positive action, leading to better outcomes for individuals, organizations, and communities.

2. Two practices for meaningful engagement: Generative questions and positive framing

Our questions inspire images, and imagery compels action.

Generative questions challenge ordinary thinking, surface new information, and stimulate creativity. They focus on what adds value, the best of what is, and what might be. Examples include:

"What's working well?"
"How might we improve on our strengths?"
"What possibilities do you see?"

Positive framing shapes conversations to invite engagement and produce positive outcomes. It involves:

Naming the problem or challenge
Flipping it to its positive opposite
Framing it as a desired outcome everyone wants

These practices work together to create conversations that fuel productivity, meaningful engagement, and positive change.

3. Tune in to shift from unconscious reactions to intentional responses

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.

Tuning in involves pausing, breathing, and getting curious about your current state and the situation. This practice helps you:

Become aware of unconscious influences on your perceptions
Choose how to respond rather than react automatically
Align your thoughts and feelings with your framing and language

By tuning in regularly, you can:

Recognize when you're "below the line" (experiencing stress, negative emotions, and disconnection)
Shift to being "above the line" (feeling connected, creative, and engaged)
Intentionally foster conversations worth having

This awareness is crucial for consistently practicing generative questions and positive framing.

4. The power of appreciative inquiry in transforming organizations

Change begins with a single conversation.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a strengths-based approach to organizational change that focuses on discovering the best in people and systems. It involves:

Define: Framing the task and crafting generative questions
Discover: Identifying strengths and best practices
Dream: Creating shared visions of the future
Design: Developing prototypes for achieving the vision
Deploy: Implementing action plans and continuous learning

AI has been successfully used in various organizations, from small businesses to global corporations, to:

Unite diverse teams
Create shared visions and strategic plans
Inspire innovation and engagement
Drive significant positive change

By focusing on strengths and possibilities rather than problems, AI conversations energize people and unlock their potential for excellence.

5. Five principles guiding productive conversations

The questions we ask and what we inquire into are generative.

The five AI principles provide a foundation for understanding the dynamics at work in our conversations:

Constructionist Principle: Reality is created through language and conversation
Simultaneity Principle: Change begins the moment we ask a question
Poetic Principle: We can choose how we interpret situations
Anticipatory Principle: Our expectations influence outcomes
Positive Principle: Positive questions lead to positive change

Understanding and applying these principles can help you:

Hold your beliefs lightly and remain open to new perspectives
Pay attention to the immediate impact of your words
Focus on what's working and what's possible
Anticipate positive outcomes
Ask bold, generative questions that inspire action

6. Scaling up great conversations for system-wide change

The people and their conversations are the organization.

Whole-system conversations can drive significant organizational change. The AI 5-D Cycle provides a structured approach for scaling up conversations worth having:

Define: Frame the task and craft interview questions
Discover: Conduct appreciative interviews and identify strengths
Dream: Create shared visions of the future
Design: Develop prototypes for achieving the vision
Deploy: Implement action plans and continuous learning

Benefits of this approach include:

Engaging all stakeholders in shaping the future
Generating commitment and ownership
Unleashing creativity and innovation
Rapidly moving from ideas to action

By inviting everyone to participate in strategic conversations, organizations can tap into their collective wisdom and create transformative change.

7. The science behind positive conversations: Neuroscience and psychology

Strong beliefs and imagery actually change brain chemistry.

Scientific research supports the effectiveness of conversations worth having:

Neuroscience: Positive imagery and experiences create neurological coherence, enabling better access to higher-order thinking and creativity
Positive Psychology: Positive emotions broaden and build our capacity for resilience, creativity, and connection
Team Dynamics: High-performing teams have a 6:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions

Key findings:

The placebo effect demonstrates how positive beliefs influence physiological outcomes
The Pygmalion effect shows how our expectations of others can influence their performance
Positivity resonance in conversations enhances physical, emotional, and mental health

These scientific insights underscore the importance of intentionally fostering appreciative, inquiry-based conversations for individual and organizational well-being.

8. Fostering conversations worth having in any situation

Every conversation is a series of defining moments that shape and change us.

Conversations worth having can be initiated in any context, even during challenging times. Key strategies include:

Tuning in to your current state and intentions
Asking generative questions that surface new information and possibilities
Reframing situations to focus on desired outcomes
Applying the AI principles to guide your approach

Practical tips:

Start with curiosity and an open mind
Look for strengths and opportunities, even in difficult situations
Practice positive framing in everyday interactions
Cultivate a habit of appreciation and inquiry

By consistently engaging in conversations worth having, you can transform your relationships, work environment, and personal life, creating a positive ripple effect in your community and beyond.

Last updated: May 23, 2025

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FAQ

1. What’s "Conversations Worth Having" by Jackie Stavros about?

Focus on Appreciative Inquiry: The book introduces Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as a method to foster positive, productive, and meaningful conversations in personal, professional, and community settings.
Transforming Conversations: It explains how shifting the nature of our conversations—from problem-focused to strengths-based—can energize people, build relationships, and generate creative possibilities.
Practical Framework: The authors provide a practical framework with two core practices (generative questions and positive framing) and five guiding principles to help readers intentionally create conversations worth having.
Real-Life Stories: The book is filled with real-life stories from business, education, community, and family contexts to illustrate how these practices work in action.

2. Why should I read "Conversations Worth Having" by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres?

Improve Relationships: The book offers actionable tools to strengthen relationships at work, home, and in the community by fostering more positive and engaging conversations.
Boost Productivity and Innovation: By shifting conversations above the line (appreciative and inquiry-based), readers can fuel engagement, creativity, and high performance in teams and organizations.
Science-Backed Methods: The practices are grounded in research from neuroscience, positive psychology, and organizational development, ensuring their effectiveness.
Universal Application: The methods are simple yet powerful, applicable to any situation, and can be used by anyone seeking to create positive change.

3. What are the key takeaways from "Conversations Worth Having"?

Conversations Shape Reality: The way we talk with others directly influences our experiences, relationships, and outcomes—“We live in worlds our conversations create.”
Two Core Practices: Asking generative questions and using positive framing are the two essential practices for creating conversations worth having.
Intentionality Matters: Tuning in to your own mindset and being intentional about your words is crucial for shifting conversations from negative to positive.
Five AI Principles: The book outlines five Appreciative Inquiry principles that govern the dynamics and outcomes of conversations.
Positive Impact is Measurable: Research shows that positive, appreciative conversations lead to better well-being, higher performance, and stronger relationships.

4. What is Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and how does it relate to "Conversations Worth Having"?

Strengths-Based Approach: Appreciative Inquiry is a method that focuses on identifying and amplifying what works well, rather than fixing what’s wrong.
Foundation of the Book: The entire framework of "Conversations Worth Having" is built on AI principles, emphasizing the power of positive questions and framing.
AI in Action: The book demonstrates how AI can be used in daily conversations to inspire engagement, innovation, and positive change.
5-D Cycle: For organizational and community change, the book introduces the AI 5-D Cycle (Define, Discover, Dream, Design, Deploy) as a structured process for scaling up great conversations.

5. What are the two core practices in "Conversations Worth Having" and how do I use them?

Generative Questions: These are open, curiosity-driven questions that make the invisible visible, create shared understanding, generate new knowledge, and inspire possibilities.
Positive Framing: This involves intentionally shaping the focus of a conversation toward desired outcomes, opportunities, or strengths, rather than problems or deficits.
Interwoven Practices: The two practices often work together—generative questions naturally create a positive frame, and positive framing invites generative questions.
Practical Steps: The book provides examples, sample questions, and a “flipping” technique to help readers reframe problems into positive opportunities.

6. What are the four types of conversations described in "Conversations Worth Having"?

Conversations Worth Having: Appreciative and inquiry-based, these conversations add value, energize, and generate possibilities.
Affirmative Conversations: Appreciative but statement-based, these interactions affirm and encourage but may lack depth or direction.
Critical Conversations: Depreciative and inquiry-based, these focus on problems or deficits, often leading to defensiveness and disengagement.
Destructive Conversations: Depreciative and statement-based, these are toxic, draining, and damaging to relationships and outcomes.

7. How do I shift a negative or depreciative conversation to a conversation worth having?

Tune In: Pause, breathe, and get curious about your own mindset and the dynamics of the conversation.
Ask Generative Questions: Interrupt the negative pattern by asking open, curiosity-driven questions that focus on strengths, possibilities, or shared goals.
Use Positive Framing: Reframe the issue by focusing on what you want to achieve or what’s already working, rather than what’s wrong.
Apply the Flipping Technique: Identify the problem, flip it to its positive opposite, and frame the conversation around the desired outcome.

8. What are the five Appreciative Inquiry (AI) principles in "Conversations Worth Having" and why are they important?

Constructionist Principle: Our realities are constructed through language and conversation; changing how we talk changes our reality.
Simultaneity Principle: Change begins the moment a question is asked or a statement is made—words are interventions.
Poetic Principle: There are multiple perspectives and stories; what we focus on shapes what we see and experience.
Anticipatory Principle: The images and expectations we hold influence our intentions, actions, and outcomes.
Positive Principle: The more positive and generative the question, the more positive and lasting the outcome.

9. What is the "flipping" technique in "Conversations Worth Having" and how do I use it?

Three-Step Process: 1) Name the problem or complaint, 2) Flip it to its positive opposite, 3) Frame it as a desired outcome or positive impact.
Reframes Negativity: Flipping helps shift the focus from what you don’t want to what you do want, making conversations more engaging and solution-oriented.
Promotes Shared Goals: The positive frame should be something that everyone in the conversation can buy into and work toward.
Practical Application: The book provides real-life examples and exercises to help readers practice flipping in various contexts.

10. How does "Conversations Worth Having" address the science behind positive conversations?

Neuroscience: Positive conversations and imagery create brain coherence, enabling better reasoning, creativity, and emotional regulation.
Positive Psychology: Research shows that positive emotions broaden thinking, build resilience, and improve well-being and performance.
Optimal Ratios: Studies cited in the book recommend a 3:1 to 6:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions for flourishing relationships and high-performing teams.
Immediate Impact: The Simultaneity Principle and supporting research demonstrate that even a single positive question or frame can instantly shift emotions and outcomes.

11. How can I apply the "Conversations Worth Having" framework in organizations or teams?

5-D Cycle for Change: Use the AI 5-D Cycle (Define, Discover, Dream, Design, Deploy) to engage whole systems in strategic, strengths-based conversations.
Inclusive Participation: Involve all stakeholders in crafting generative questions, sharing stories of success, and co-creating visions and action plans.
Sustain Positive Culture: Regularly practice generative questions and positive framing in meetings, feedback sessions, and daily interactions to build a culture of engagement and innovation.
Measure Impact: Track improvements in engagement, productivity, and well-being as the ratio of positive, appreciative conversations increases.

12. What are the best quotes from "Conversations Worth Having" and what do they mean?

“We live in worlds our conversations create.” (David L. Cooperrider) – Our reality and relationships are shaped by the quality and nature of our conversations.
“One great conversation can shift the direction of change forever.” (Linda Lambert) – A single, well-framed conversation can catalyze significant positive change.
“The conversation is the answer.” – Solutions and progress emerge from the way we talk and engage with each other, not just from technical fixes.
“Your conversations help create your world. Speak of delight, not dissatisfaction. Speak of hope, not despair.” (Tao Te Ching) – The words we choose have the power to heal, inspire, and build a better future.
“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” (Nancy H. Kleinbaum) – The book underscores the transformative power of intentional, positive communication.