Appreciative dialogue for co-facilitation in action research and practice development

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this article is to discuss the role of appreciative dialogue in facilitation of practice development and action research. The authors discuss the denition of facilitation and the lack of specific guidance about the how of facilitation. They propose the approach of appreciative dialogue as an important contribution to supporting those involved in developing the practice of co-facilitation. An approach to appreciative dialogue is highlighted the seven Cs of caring conversations. Conclusions: The authors conclude that this approach helps to liberate, legitimise and share the emotional and tacit elements of the work, enhance the quality of and participation in the dialogue and provide appreciative feedback about what works well, as a basis for tackling further issues and difficulties. They suggest that facilitation incorporates the process of animation where appreciative dialogue motivates participants to identify existing good practice, brings this to life and propels mutual learning and collaborative action. This helps to shi from an implicit facilitator-led process to a shared and dynamic facilitative process that supports the embedding of change and practice development. Appreciative dialogue also has important implications for many areas of professional practice that seek to work in more strengths or assets based ways and promote co-production through more active engagement of both clients and sta in service design and delivery. Through supporting change for practitioners it creates new and wider challenges for organisations and the wider systems of which they are a part.

Implications for practice: Provides feedback about what is working well as a basis for forward development and motivation Provides a framework for questioning and co-analysis that is crucial to developing skills of facilitation

Supports a shift from facilitator-led to a co-production model, where there is active engagement in service design and delivery