Podcast appearances and mentions of cheri torres

In this weeks episode, Jessica Fowler interviews Micheal Emmart, Ed.D and Laura Torres, LCMHC who co-authored Conversations Worth Having for Clinicians, Case Workers, & Coaches: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Foster Wellbeing by Michael Emmart, Laura Torres, Cheri Torres, and Jackie Stavros.   Laura and Michael shared how the books is based off of two simple Appreciative Inquiry practices- generative questions and positive framing which allows for important conversations to happen.   We also discuss the importance of tuning into ourselves while working with clients and asking what is happening to me if I am feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, etc.   Laura and Michael also shared the importance of being in a place of curiosity and we can get back to curiosity while with our clients.   Conversations Worth Having Website Biographies Laura Torres, LCMHC Laura has been practicing psychotherapy for more than 10 years. She is currently working in private practice in Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives with her partner and 10-year-old son. Laura has worked in a wide range of settings with various populations spanning community mental health settings, residential and outpatient settings.  Laura's therapeutic approach and background is eclectic in that it draws on a variety of different modalities including Internal Family Systems, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Hakomi, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR.  Laura is also a certified life coach and yoga instructor.  You can connect with Laura on instagram or facebook.  www.lauratorrescounseling.com    www.lauratorrescoaching.com Michael Emmart, Ed.D Michael is often sought out as a subject matter expert on child welfare, justice involved, and cross-over youth.  He has filled a variety of roles over more than 25 years in the field, including: direct care staff, caseworker, counselor, trainer, senior administrator, nonprofit executive, and university-based consultant.  Michael is also a founding member of the Institute for Just Outcomes through Conversation (IJOC), which is housed within Case Western Reserve University's Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World benefit, currently serving as Executive Director.  He has taught and written extensively on the value of incorporating appreciative inquiry-based conversations within the human services field. Michael lives in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of Central New York where he lives with his wife and children.  Institute for Just Outcomes through Conversation: https://case.edu/weatherhead/fowler/programs/just-conversations  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelemmart/  

Every interaction we have impacts others, and every interaction someone has with you impacts you. So how do we take this knowledge and allow it to transform the way we show up in the world? On this episode of Yes! We Rise, founder and CEO of Collaborative by Design, Cheri Torres, PhD, joins Christine to share her life's work around supporting growth and evolutionary purpose in people and organizations. She dives into the power of asking generative questions, understanding your broader purpose, and how curiosity unlocks inherent wisdom. This rich conversation is both relatable and transformative. Tune in and begin accessing inner clarity, creativity, and deeper relationships. Welcome! Cheri Torres is passionate about supporting growth and evolutionary purpose for people and organizations. As an organizational consultant and facilitator, Cheri catalyzes positive change, encouraging people to recognize they are integral parts of a whole system and that what they say and do matters significantly. She's worked with thousands of leaders and teams around the world to support high performance, engagement, strategic planning, culture transformation, and organizational success. The foundation of her work draws upon a living systems paradigm and the strength-based approach of Appreciative Inquiry, one of the most widely used approaches for systems change. LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Cheri's book: Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement, and discover more about her powerful work, including resources, through her website. You can also experience Cheri's work at the next Conscious Leadership Retreat for Women through The Sami Project. The Yes! We Rise podcast is produced by Dialogue + Design Associates, Podcasting For Creatives, with music by Drishti Beats. Follow the We Rise podcast on Facebook and Instagram. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast so we can continue spreading our message far and wide. Find our email list at the website: www.yeswerise.org. Thanks for listening. The Yes! We Rise podcast features solutions-seekers, change-makers, and those creating a resilient future. We share stories and strategies to inspire action to build collective resilience and community transformation. To create change, people need to feel like they belong and that they are part of a growing movement. They need to know their voice matters and that they have the inspiration, agency and ability to transform their lives and their communities. They are the key to a resilient future.     From the Navajo Nation to the mountains of Appalachia, incredible work is being done by community members and leaders. Change is often sparked by inspiration: seeing what others have done, especially in similar situations and places. People see that when someone looks like them or lives in a place like theirs, and has created real, true and lasting change, change that will allow their granddaughters and grandsons to thrive — they begin to imagine what might be possible for them.  No longer waiting for someone else to come and save them, they realize they are the ones they have been waiting for.  But what creates that spark? What creates that inspiration?  Learning through stories and examples, feeling a sense of agency and belonging, and getting fired up to kick ass creates that spark.  We Rise helps community leaders and members learn to forge a new path toward creating resilience and true transformation. One person at a time, one community at a time, one region at a time, the quilt of transformation can grow piece by piece until resilience becomes the norm instead of the exception. Together, we rise.

We're honored to have Lisa Duerre on today's podcast to talk to us about her Lipedema journey, struggles with infertility, what it's like to be a woman in corporate America, and how she conquered all odds to rise against it all. If you're an advocate for womxn's wellness at work, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Key takeaways to listen forLipedema: Signs and symptoms and how it affects your lifeWhy it's essential to have someone look after your healthHow important is your doctor in diagnosing your illness?Common treatment methods for LipedemaThe difficulties of dealing with infertility and miscarriage while workingCoping strategies for miscarriage-related depressionTips for improving workplace healthcare support for womenHow understanding someone else's pain helps you relate to them betterResources mentioned in this episodeOvereaters AnonymousYouTube: RLD GroupLipedema BrochureThe Disease They Call FATConversations Worth Having by Jacqueline M. Stavros, Cheri Torres, David L. Cooperrider | Paperback and KindleWomen Back to WorkAbout Lisa DuerreLisa Duerre spent 25 years in Silicon Valley leading highly successful teams and exceeding business objectives in the areas of Talent Development, Field Engineering, Customer Education and Support, Sales Development, and Marketing. This gave her a front-row seat to see some professionally successful tech leaders flame out in their careers, relationships, health, and life. She was the one who helped 25,000 employees get results faster at work, make a more significant impact, and be better business leaders. She gave audiences the inside track to navigate the always-on, only as-good-as-the-next-one culture. No regrets, no agony over lost opportunities - just a breath of fresh air showing how you can live a great life, kick ass at work, and be present for the moments that matter.Connect with LisaWebsite: RLDGROUPPodcast: Ctrl+Alt+Delete with Lisa DuerreLinkedIn: RLDGROUPYouTube: Realtalk with Lisa DuerreSupport the show! Want to learn more about us? Visit our website at www.periodtopause.com or send an email to amanda@periodtopause.com.Follow us on Instagram: @periodtopauseJoin our Facebook Group: Period to Pause

In this bonus episode of Pop! On Leadership, we take our second deep dive into a topic discussed throughout season 1- influencing positive change at work. We learn from experts Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros, who have written numerous best-selling books, coached, taught, and led organizations with a positive organizational development approach called Appreciative Inquiry. Also, we talked Jackie into binge-watching Ted Lasso, and she's now such a fan that she bought goldfish for the university football team where she teaches, Lawrence Technological University. Here are some helpful links :Conversations Worth Having - https://conversationsworthhaving.today/Cheri Torres -https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbtorres/Jackie Stavros - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-stavros-0b45824/

https://conversationsworthhaving.today/ Conversations can be critical and destructive, or they can be generative and productive. This book shows how to guarantee your conversations will help people, organizations, and communities flourish. Conversations are at the core of how we interact. We all know that conversations influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much impact they have on our well-being and our ability to thrive. This book shows how Appreciative Inquiry (AI)--one of the most widely used new approaches for fostering positive change for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities--can help everyone communicate better and flourish in all areas of their lives. Stavros and Torres spell out 2 practices and 5 principles to create great conversations. Each chapter is built around real-life stories of people using these practices and principles to strengthen relationships and generate possibilities for a future that works for everyone.

Everything happens because of a conversation How can you shape your conversations for more positive results?   Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres challenge us and guide us on how to create and participate with more productive conversations - both with ourselves and others. Episode 94 (Jackie is based in Michigan. Cheri is based in North Carolina)   In this conversation we explore: The difference between appreciative and depreciative conversations How to use curiosity as a conversational tool The concept and practice of Appreciative Inquiry How to manage the conversation in your head How to build a stronger team with better questions The power of generative questions and positive reframing   About my guests: They are co-authors of the book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement   Learn more about Conversations Worth Having and the free resources here.   Jackie Stavros is known for creating a program called SOAR. That's a positive approach to strategic thinking, planning and leading. She's worked in 25 countries using appreciative inquiry to help 1,000s of people.  Cheri Torres is a serial entrepreneur having started one nonprofit and two for profit organizations. She holds a Master's in transpersonal psychology and PhD in educational psychology.   Excerpts from this conversation with Jackie Stavos and Cheri Torres   02:50 The book is called Conversations worth having. And it is it's focused on the idea that everything we do happens in conversation, whether in conversation with others, or a conversation with ourselves. And so if we want to have the outcomes we are hoping for, we need to be careful about the conversations we have, we need to choose to have conversations that move us towards what we want conversations that invite strong relationships, and bring us well being as well in the way we engage in those conversations.   03:33 Now, I'm curious, I imagine that all conversations, start with the conversation with ourselves. And I'm also wondering, How much control do we have over those self conversations?   03:48 That's a great question, George. I think if you're aware of it, and we're talking about it now, you are you have an intention to decide, am I going to come into a conversation above the line from an appreciative space? Or, you know, am I am I below the line? And in our book, we talk about the importance of tuning into yourself, and simply asking a question, Where am I? Am I above the line, or that depreciated place below the line. And if you're below the line, and you're listening to this, just try this technique to pause. Take a deep breath, see how that feels in you and get curious and just pausing and breathing. Get you to move above the line. It just resets your whole body mindset.   04:33 Jackie, I want to clarify what the line represents.   04:37 So imagine a straight line. If you're above the line, that's called an appreciative space where I value you, George, I value the situation that we're in. And I want to add value so that's appreciation. If you're below that line, you're in that depreciated space where you know I may not be valuing you I may not value the situation. mission. And sometimes, if you don't think about your intended message, you could fall, the words can take you below the line. And even if you don't get enough sleep or have enough water, or, you know, just just your physiologic can push it below that line. So think about where am I? ----- 12:57 Now, Sherry, I noticed some, some powerful wisdom in there and advice. And what, what resonated with me is that when one when we think we're being criticised that instead of responding in anger, or defending, or counter attacking, we respond with curiosity.   13:26 Hey, George, that's exactly right. Get curious. Jackie mentioned that tuning in that,  can we be intentional with our conversations? That when you someone criticises you, it's normal to feel defensive, or like wanting to lash back. But if you pause, that interrupts that pattern, and it also interrupts the, the biochemical soup that is starting to be dumped into your system. And if you then take several deep breaths, which is what Jackie mentioned, that deep breathing kicks in the parasympathetic nervous system, which further tamps down the cortisol and testosterone, and then getting curious is a positive emotion, which pushes you into the executive functions of the brain, where you can ask a question, you can be intentional with your conversations.   14:27 And I just add that there's a magazine behind me that says the business case for curiosity. So Harvard Business Review did an article on the business case for curiosity for business leaders, and there, you think about their intended messages. And if you were to just look up curiosity, all the health benefits of curiosity. And if you're naturally curious, it's easier it's more natural. You'll be asking general questions. ----- ----more---- Your Intended Message is the podcast about how you can boost your career and business success by honing your communication skills. We'll examine the aspects of how we communicate one-to-one, one to few and one to many – plus that important conversation, one to self. In these interviews we will explore presentation skills, public speaking, conversation, persuasion, negotiation, sales conversations, marketing, team meetings, social media, branding, self talk and more.   Your host is George Torok George is a specialist in communication skills. Especially presentation. He's fascinated by the links between communication and influencing behaviours. He delivers training and coaching programs to help leaders and promising professionals deliver the intended message for greater success.   Connect with George www.SpeechCoachforExecutives.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgetorokpresentations/ https://www.youtube.com/user/presentationskills      

Are you feeling stuck? Are you feeling disconnected from your colleagues and your family? Are you just running so fast that you're not even stopping to pause? Are the conversations you're having turning into disagreement and disconnection? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you'll want to stop and take a listen. Most of you know by now that I am a huge fan of the book Conversations Worth Having. I reference it all the time, and I'm so excited to welcome the co-authors, Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, on to CTRL+ALT+DELETE. Because right now, there is so much disconnect in the world. People are burnt out. They're scared. They're overwhelmed. I can't think of two better people to help us reframe and think about everything on a much deeper level so that we can be agents of change and connection instead. Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres have been internationally recognized for their work with appreciative inquiry. They've positively affected the lives of thousands of people and helped hundreds of organizations improve their capacity to thrive in uncertain times. They've been researching, writing, consulting and speaking on appreciative inquiry since 1996. CTRL+ALT+DELETE with Lisa Duerre is brought to you by RLD Group on a mission to reboot leadership drive, eradicate burnout in tech, and help transform technical experts lacking people leadership skills from being a company's biggest liability into their greatest asset. Show Notes: What is Appreciative Inquiry and Why is it Important? [2:30] Ways to Get Yourself Unstuck [4:30] When Burnout Happens and How to Avoid It [10:34] From Fixing Problems to Encouraging Excellence [16:22] The Anticipatory Principle for New Projects [23:03] How to Get Positive Advice VS Negative Feedback [25:42] Location on the Line of Leadership [30:13] What's New in the Second Edition [39:21] Resources: Jackie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-stavros-0b45824/ Jackie's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackiestavros Jackie's Instagram: hhttps://www.instagram.com/jackie_stavros/ Jackie's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacqueline.stavros Cheri's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbtorres/ Cheri's Website: https://cheritorres.com/ Cheri's Twitter: https://twitter.com/cheri_torres?lang=en Cheri's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheri.torres.73 Conversations Worth Having Book Website: http://www.conversationsworthhaving.today/ RLD Group's website: https://rldgroupllc.com

2:28 - how Cheri and Jackie first came across the idea of Appreciative Inquiry.4:04 - how many hours in a day are you in conversation?4:32 - what is appreciative inquiry.5:34 - difference between a good and a bad conversation.7:18 - you can feel when you are in a destructive, depreciative conversation.7:42 - how many of our conversations can be worth having?9:42 - our words affect each other.11:13 - what to do when the conversation is turning sour.12:02 - our conversations with loved ones are often less intentional than with strangers.12:41 - example of using Appreciative Inquiry in the real world.14:14 - Appreciative Inquiry is not about having rose-coloured glasses.15:22 - the technique of flipping.16:52 - how Appreciative Inquiry has impacted Cheri and Jackie's life.17:15 - our words matter immensely because they shape our world.19:08 - conversations worth having at home.20:57 - how to get your children to actually talk to you.24:26 - the constructionist principle.26:32 - the poetic principle.29:01 - Are appreciative conversations something we're born with or can it be learned?31:01 - there is a place for the sceptic.31:40 - appreciative inquiry doesn't mean you ignore problems.31:54 - analytical approach: looking for positive deviants.33:17 - overcoming negativity bias.36:15 - how to manage your emotions in the moment.37:47 - asking generative questions.42:11 - dealing with negative people who don't want to have constructive conversations.44:45 - a conversation worth having is not just a positive conversation.45:23 - don't assume people don't want to talk to you just because they are shy or introverted.47:30 - example of how leaders can use appreciative inquiry.51:55 - why appreciative inquiry is more likely to influence and create change.54:21 - How Jackie used appreciative inquiry in the hardest conversation of her life.1:01:03 - connect with Jackie and Cheri.You can find more detailed show notes with links to references at: https://candourpodcast.com/cheri-torres-and-jackie-stavros

Conversations are a part of nearly everything we do, yet most of us don't think about the impact this daily activity has on our and others' ability to thrive at work, at home, or in any social setting.In Conversations Worth Having, Second Edition: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement, Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres use real-life examples to show how Appreciative Inquiry (identifying what's working and building on it, rather than just trying to fix what's broken) and asking generative questions (those based in curiosity, fostering inclusivity) vastly improves any conversation. The revised edition of Conversations Worth Having contains a wealth of new material, including new examples, updates on the latest supporting research in neuroscience and positive psychology, a discussion guide, and a new chapter on “tuning in,” a process to cultivate awareness of factors that influence our interactions, plus a three-step technique to prime ourselves for conversations worth having.Book Stavros and Torres to learn how anyone and everyone can learn the practices detailed in their book to spur conversations that strengthen relationships, build effective teams, and generate healthy environments in which everyone thrives. Click here for more about the book. About Stavros & TorresJackie Stavros is professor at the College of Business and Information Technology, Lawrence Technological University, and an Appreciative Inquiry advisor at the David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry. Stavros has more than thirty years of leadership, strategic planning, and change-management experience. Links to her social media: LinkedIn; Twitter; InstagramCheri Torres is CEO and lead catalyst of Collaborative by Design, a consulting firm that helps organizations improve performance, retain talent, and transform communication and culture. Torres has more than 35 years of leadership, teamwork, strategic planning and culture transformation experience.Stavros and Torres have been researching, writing, consulting, and speaking on Appreciative Inquiry since 1996. Links to her social media: LinkedIn; Twitter: Instagram  Rebel HR is a podcast for HR professionals and leaders of people who are ready to make some disruption in the world of work.We'll be discussing topics that are disruptive to the world of work and talk about new and different ways to approach solving those problems.Follow Rebel HR Podcast at:www.rebelhumanresources.comhttps://twitter.com/rebelhrguyhttps://www.facebook.com/rebelhrpodcastwww.kyleroed.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-roed/Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/rebelhrpodcast)

Our words are what often help us to frame whether we see the world as a set of problems or opportunities. Communications experts Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres believe that anyone can create meaningful and productive conversations that can be catalysts for change. It comes down to asking the right questions and approaching challenging conversations with creativity. Longtime friends and colleagues, they are co-authors of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement. For decades, Jackie and Cheri have counseled individuals, companies, institutions, and other organizations on how to use two simple practices to make every conversation count. In this episode, Jackie and Cheri offer the tools and techniques you need to have conversations worth having. (Appreciative Inquiry is an approach developed by David Cooperrider. It fosters positive change in organizations and communities.) GUEST BIOS: Jackie Stavros has more than 30 years of leadership, strategy, organization development and change management experience, and is the creator of SOAR – a strategy to help organizations create meaningful conversations about opportunities and positive change.  she is a professor at Michigan's Lawrence Technological University College of Business and IT and a senior specialist in Appreciative Inquiry. Jackie earned her doctorate in management from Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Her master's in business administration comes from Michigan State University. She earned her bachelor's degree at Wayne State University. She lives in Brighton, MI, with her husband, Paul, and their kids, Ally and Adam, as well as their dog, Rex. Cheri B. Torres specializes in leadership, team development, and whole system strategic planning. She is the lead catalyst at Collaborative by Design, a consulting firm that she founded in 2009. She's taught thousands of trainers and teachers around the world in the use and practice of Experiential Learning, Appreciative Inquiry, and other strengths-based processes. She has worked in many sectors, including corporate, government, education, and nonprofit, focusing on shared leadership, teamwork, and collective impact. She holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Tennessee, as well as a master's in transpersonal psychology. She lives in Asheville, NC, with her husband Michael, and their dog, Annabelle, and cat, Ziggy.  LINKS:Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful EngagementYes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive Paperback, by Noah J. Goldstein, Steve J. Martin, and Robert Cialdini The Petrified Wood Principle Follow us on Twitter @speakgoodpodCheck out our blogGot an episode idea?

After this series, we asked What's next? We dropped the word pandemic as we realized creating a new reality in this era of accelerated change and emotional upheaval requires A Leadership Beyond… Adrienne can do it! But not alone. Tom can do it! But not alone. YOU can do it, but not alone. Your voice matters in our community of conversation. Can't wait to listen with you. The top two values of our community (our top 5 will be published shortly) are : People first – You've heard it said, “our people are our greatest asset”. They are not an asset; we don't own them or control them. Rather, they are our greatest investment. (Time, money, energy.) We seek return (personally and professionally), and we desire our counterparts to have equal or greater return on investing their strengths in our shared values and objectives. Quality Conversation – Let's start with our conversations. At its root, it's “to change together.” Conversation can be transformative. It's an exchange. Of energy, words, perspective, time, of care. Thanksgiving provided us an opportunity to catch our breath and reflect on our gratitude. Adrienne and Tom are grateful to this emerging community and committed to growing with you as we create a fresh and meaningful work experience in turbulent times. Together! Tune in/chime in: We have one more conversation to publish this year: Barbara Frankel, an expert with over thirty years of experience in training and coaching career development for world-class companies such as JP Morgan Chase and American Express. She will help us transform the great resignation into great retention. We will publish our conversation with Barbara Frankel on December 21st. Stay tuned! We will take a publishing break as we work on building the foundation for our new podcast (more on that soon). We kick off the New Year by publishing our conversation with Internationally recognized leaders in the Appreciative Inquiry community, Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres. We are excited to discuss their recently published Second Edition of Conversations Worth Having.

We are thrilled to announce an upcoming interview with Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, authors of Conversations Worth Having – Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement. The currency of all positive change is indeed conversation. Mostly we lead conversations without real strategy – and sadly, sometimes without much thought. And, being creatures of habit, we repeat the same cycle endlessly. We hold you (and ourselves) as already successful. This means you have meaningful relationships and produce good results. And yet, a leadership beyond calls us to continuously grow and develop. To accomplish this requires heightened conversational awareness. Jackie and Cheri give us a framework to evaluate our conversations, tools to practice and develop better skills, real-world examples of the impact of this approach, as well as inspiration to nudge us to do the necessary work. Members of this community of conversation know that we do not pitch. We do invite people to explore resources that can guide us to become the best leaders of Positive Change we can be. So, jump at the opportunity to improve your impact, one conversation at a time: Conversations Worth Having – second edition We expect to announce the publish date of our interview prior to our next posting. As always, we want to have a conversation with YOU.

Traditionally, CPAs excel with numbers, not words. In today's polarized society conversations can quickly become challenging and impede productivity. In this episode, Jackie Stavros & Cheri Torres join Tom to help us discover how to create productive conversations with our clients and employees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every one of our conversations at work can help create more engaged, positive and productive workplaces. In this episode, Wendy welcomes the authors of Conversations Worth Having, Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, to discuss why we shouldn't take these conversations for granted - they really are at the heart of everything we do and are the secret to high-performing leaders and managers. You'll learn more about Appreciative Inquiry, how to uncover and bring out the best in each person in your organization, and how to increase productivity by finding new opportunities and promoting truly meaningful engagement. Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you! For transcripts and other available downloads, please visit the BetterManager website. https://www.bettermanager.us/podcast © 2021 BetterManager

Are your communication efforts moving you forward and or are they keeping you stuck in a negative loop? Find out in this episode of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, where Brandon Laws interviews Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros, coauthors of Conversations Worth Having. The three discuss eye-opening tips for recognizing negative communication patterns and having meaningful conversations that move you and your team forward. TAKEAWAYS Everything we do revolves around conversation either with others or ourselves. The conversations we have either move us in the direction we want to go or keep us stuck in a loop of negativity. Our conversations affect our wellbeing, our productivity, and our engagement. Appreciative Inquiry engages us around what we want to see and where we want to go; it's about the outcome rather than traditional problem-solving centered around fixing the root of the issue. When we come from a place of destructive, depreciative conversations, we put people in protect-mode and hinder effective communication. Register for the 2nd Annual Organizational Wellbeing Summit - use promo code xenium A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

Conversations are the soul of leadership. We all know that conversations influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much impact they have on our well-being and our ability to thrive. The art of Appreciative Inquiry gives you the ability to have conversations that truly matter, build better relationships, and achieve more together. In this episode, Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres give you 2 practices and 5 principles to create great conversations. And show how Appreciative Inquiry (AI)--one of the most widely used approaches for fostering positive change for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities--can help you communicate better and flourish in all areas of your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode Dan chats with Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros. Cheri is CEO and lead catalyst of Collaborative by Design, a consulting firm that helps organizations improve performance, retain talent, and transform communication and culture, whilst Jackie is a professor at the College of Business and Information Technology, Lawrence Technological University, and an Appreciative Inquiry advisor at the David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry. This conversation explores how Appreciative Inquiry can be used to create much better conversations, both in groups and one-on-one. If you find the conversation useful, you should register for their free upcoming webinar here. You can also learn more about the book, and access some useful resources at: https://conversationsworthhaving.today/ If you're interested in checking out the Habits of Leadership Academy, or would like to get in touch with any questions, comments or suggestions for guests, then please head over to: https://habitsofleadership.com/  

A reminder that I've moved to a once-a-month webinar format, held on the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The topic is different each month, and I jam-pack them full of content. To learn about the next webinar: https://mastercoachwebinars.carrd.co Through various groups I belong to and sites I visit regularly, there is a lot of talk about being in a “toxic work environment.” Today, I want to drill down on what actually constitutes a toxic work environment and what to do if you are in one. I also want to talk about what isn't a toxic work environment and how to manage these situations. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about a toxic workplace: It is marked by significant infighting, where personal battles often harm productivity. Here's a quote: “It is reasonable to conclude that an organization can be considered toxic if it is ineffective as well as destructive to its employees.” Here's what monster.com has to say about a toxic work environment: A toxic work environment is one wherein dysfunction and drama reign, whether it's the result of a narcissistic boss, vindictive co-workers, absence of order, et cetera. In addition to harming your morale, this kind of climate can also be damaging to your health, says Paul White, co-author of Rising Above a Toxic Workplace. “Stress takes a toll on your body,” White says. Health problems stemming from a hostile workplace include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and decreased mental health, and can lead to fatal conditions, research from Stanford and Harvard Universities found. “A toxic environment keeps people in a fight or flight mindset—the constant pump of cortisol, testosterone, and norepinephrine generates physical, emotional, and mental stress,” says Cheri Torres, an Asheville, North Carolina-based business leadership coach and author of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement. She says you can't do your best work when you work in a toxic workplace, and your health and well-being is at risk. As I was researching for this episode, I saw a lot of things credited as contributing to workplace toxicity that simply aren't. No boss, coworker, or CEO is perfect – and a boss who isn't organized or a coworker who is chronically late doesn't make a workplace toxic. Here are the signs Monster gives for a toxic workplace: 1.     You are chronically stressed out. Take this quiz to find out how stressed you are: https://www.stress.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Workplace-Stress-Survey.pdf 2.     You're being overworked. 3.     You're being bullied. The Workplace Bullying Institute defines bullying as “repeated mistreatment of an employee by one or more employees; abusive conduct that is threatening, humiliating, or intimidating; work sabotage; or verbal abuse.” While 61% of bullies are bosses, 33% of bullies are peers with the same rank as their targets, and a surprising 6% of bullies are subordinates, a survey by the Workplace Bullying Institute found. 4.     You're a contributor to – or recipient of – office gossip. 5.     Your boss is a hothead. 6.     Communication is poor/nonexistent, and it is affecting your ability to do your job. Here are additional signs from Bustle.com: 1.     An absence of work/life balance (or, as I like to call it, work/life blend) 2.     You are constantly getting sick. 3.     Family and friends are noticing a difference in your character. 4.     Your employer culture is “competitive conflict.” 5.     Your time boundaries are not being respected. (Think “Two Weeks' Notice”) 6.     Your boss encourages bad/unprofessional/unethical behavior 7.     Your gut-check tells you that your ethics and morals are eroding the longer you work there – you are losing yourself. Here are clear-cut situations of workplace toxicity: 1. Sexual harassment 2. Bullying 3. Illegal behaviors (stealing, cheating, misrepresenting results) 4. Being asked to participate in or look the other way with illegal/unethical behaviors 5. Workplace safety or environmental issues that aren't addressed 6. Lies/undermining that are affecting your ability to do your job or get the results you are expected to achieve So what are your options when you find yourself in a toxic work environment? There are at least three: 1.     Approach the perpetrator directly. A quote from Monster: “You should be able to resolve many interpersonal problems without intervention. “Generally, your best first step is to have a gentle backstage conversation with the person who's causing you harm,” says Sutton. But, rather than focusing on how someone's behavior makes you feel, focus on the negative consequences of the person's actions.” 2.     Confront with a team and go up the chain of command. According to Monster: “If the direct approach is futile, you may have to get help from your superiors (assuming they're not the problem) to resolve serious issues with co-workers. But before you request a meeting, there are a couple measures you should take. “First, figure out if any of your peers are having similar problems. “The more fellow victims you have, the more power you have,” Sutton says. Obviously, you don't want to bombard your co-worker; one or two representatives in addition to yourself should suffice. “Second, gather hard evidence to prove your case. For example, if your colleague is frequently trying to sabotage your work by turning their assignments in late, compile emails that show times when this has happened and present what you have in the meeting.” 3.     Plan your exit strategy. “Some companies simply have a culture of dysfunction. If the toxicity is coming from the top down, you may be better off coming up with an exit strategy,” according to Monster. Finally, let's talk about what doesn't constitute workplace toxicity. These are all contextual, because if one of these non-toxic things is happening and, as a result, your health is suffering or your friends and family are noticing a negative change in you, then there is evidence that that thin is toxic FOR YOU. What I want to make clear with these four things is that you have within your power the ability to shift your mindset around these things so that your experience at work is more positive. This DOES NOT mean you have to stay in that job…it simply means that, while you're still there, you can have a better experience. 1.     You don't want to go to work. 2.     You aren't as happy as work as you used to be. 3.     You don't feel respected. 4.     Your point of view and ideas aren't being heard. What can you do in these situations? Here are my suggestions: 1.     Do a pros/cons exercise – what reasons do you have for not wanting to go to work? Why don't you feel as happy about work as you once did? In what ways DO you feel respected at work? When have your POV and ideas been heard at work? 2.     Take a careful look at your cons – what shifts can you make to move some of these items out of this column? Maybe they won't end up in the pros column, but at least you can neutralize them. For example, if one of the reasons you don't want to go to work is a particular co-worker's attitude towards you, what can YOU do about that? You could schedule a time to speak one-on-one with this co-worker. If one of the reasons you aren't as happy at work as you used to be is because you've been passed over for a promotion, perhaps you could meet with your boss about why you weren't chosen and what you could do to increase your chances of success next time around. 3.     Engage in a gratitude practice – Every morning, I write down three things I am truly grateful for, and I really FEEL that gratitude. 4.     Mindfulness – Become more aware of when the negative thoughts are creeping in and choose to think something more positive instead. For example, if you find yourself sitting in your car in the parking lot every morning not wanting to enter the building, this is likely because you are thinking something like “I hate my job.” Once you realize this thought, you can shift your thinking to something like “I like _____ about my job.” A slight shift that can make all the difference. 5.     Focus on what you CAN control – nothing exacerbates a feeling of powerlessness more than putting yourself in the role of victim. If you don't feel your POV is being heard at work, how can YOU show up to meetings differently to increase your chances of being heard? 6.     Engage in a bit of perspective-adjusting. We tend to think the grass is always greener over there…but it often isn't. If you choose to go elsewhere, keep in mind that there may be similar problems there…or even worse ones. Is what you have REALLY that bad? Are you in the wrong job that chips away at you every day? The CareerSpring coaching program will help you find a job that uses your zone of genius, recognizes your value, and pays you what you're worth. Schedule a complimentary consult to learn more: https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/zoom-meetings2

We're back with another transformational episode featuring Jackie Stavros & Cheri Torres, co-authors of the groundbreaking book Conversations Worth Having.  Conversations are at the heart of everything we do. They are key to effective leadership, high performing teams, and strong relationships. We all know that they influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much they affect our well-being and our ability to thrive.  In this episode you'll learn about generative questions, appreciative inquiry (AI), and simple practices you can use to move stuck conversations forward. Follow the conversation PMs are having about this and more at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pmxchange  Stay up to date on events and resources at https://rbp.secondnature.com/  Be sure to subscribe so you'll never miss an episode!

We're back with another transformational episode featuring Jackie Stavros & Cheri Torres, co-authors of the groundbreaking book Conversations Worth Having.  Conversations are at the heart of everything we do. They are key to effective leadership, high performing teams, and strong relationships. We all know that they influence us, but we rarely stop to think about how much they affect our well-being and our ability to thrive.  In this episode you'll learn about generative questions, appreciative inquiry (AI), and simple practices you can use to move stuck conversations forward. Follow the conversation PMs are having about this and more at https://www.facebook.com/groups/pmxchange  Stay up to date on events and resources at https://rbp.secondnature.com/  Be sure to subscribe so you'll never miss an episode!

Clint concludes his conversation with Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, the co-authors of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement. In part two, Jackie and Cheri rundown the five principles that govern our conversations, the science behind using powerful questions and appreciative inquiry, and why they're on a mission to change our world of conversations.

This week, Clint has a conversation with Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, the co-authors of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement. Jackie and Cheri have a combined 50 years of experience in practicing and teaching Appreciative Inquiry. In part one, Jackie and Cheri explain the meaning of Appreciative Inquiry, how generative questions open the door to allow space for new possibilities, and how we can tell we're having a conversation worth having.

Is your organization engaged in conversations that reflect appreciation? If not do you know the true cost to your organization? Let's talk about it! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros are co-authors of the book Conversations Worth Having which teaches readers how to use appreciative inquiry to fuel productive and meaningful engagement. They have delivered workshops, keynote addresses, and webinars to thousands of people around the world, sharing the appreciative inquiry-based practices and their deep knowledge about the science of Appreciative Inquiry, positivity, and wellbeing in personal and organizational life. The conversations we have make us who we are. If you want to up level your game, up level your conversations. This episode will help you find the right people to connect with and have more meaningful conversations. Here are the key links from the episode: Conversations Worth Having Get your copy of the book Jobber -- start your free trial today Join the Breakthrough Success Facebook Group Schedule a free strategy call today   Did you enjoy this episode? It would greatly help if you subscribe to Breakthrough Success and leave a quick review.

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is one of the most widely used approaches for fostering positive change in organizations and communities. In their book titled Conversations Worth Having, Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros synthesize a way to bring AI into our daily conversations at work and at home, and they join Halelly on this episode of The TalentGrow Show to share their unique insights. You’ll learn about the four types of conversations in the model, how to leverage tools like ‘positive framing’ and ‘the flipping technique’ to inspire curiosity and positive interest in others, and how to create conversations that are appreciative, inquisitive, and worth having. Plus, Cheri and Jackie weigh in on the right way to think about balancing positive conversations with necessary critical feedback. Listen and be sure to share this episode with others. Shownotes: http://www.talentgrow.com/podcast/episode179 Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/1NiWyZo Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=62847&refid=stpr Google Play Music: https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Ijwlgz7lklnxqnfzjna7gcr65be iHeartRadio Podcasts: http://www.iheart.com/show/263-The-TalentGrow-Show-Gr/ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/talentgrowshow Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2CpgIk1 TuneIn: http://tun.in/pjuHL Download the free guide: 10 Mistakes Leaders Make and How to Avoid Them http://www.talentgrow.com/10mistakes Don't forget to LEAVE A RATING/REVIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS! http://apple.co/1NiWyZo

Cheri Torres, co-author of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement Cheri Torres and Bill Ringle discuss the finer points of using questions to direct focus for better relationships and better outcomes using appreciative inquiry for small business leaders. >>> Visit MyQuestforTheBest.com for complete show notes and more expert advice and inspiring stories to propel your small business growth. body .audioplayer.skin-wave.playerid-21361383:not(.a) .ap-controls .con-playpause .playbtn , body .audioplayer.skin-wave.playerid-21361383:not(.a) .ap-controls .con-playpause .pausebtn { background-color: #111111;} jQuery(document).ready(function ($){var settings_ap21361383 = { design_skin: "skin-wave" ,autoplay: "off",disable_volume:"default" ,loop:"off" ,cue: "on" ,embedded: "off" ,preload_method:"metadata" ,design_animateplaypause:"default" ,skinwave_dynamicwaves:"off" ,skinwave_enableSpectrum:"off" ,skinwave_enableReflect:"on",settings_backup_type:"full",playfrom:"off",disable_scrub:"off",soundcloud_apikey:"" ,skinwave_comments_enable:"on",settings_php_handler:window.ajaxurl,skinwave_mode:"normal",skinwave_wave_mode:"canvas",pcm_data_try_to_generate: "on","pcm_notice": "off","notice_no_media": "on",design_color_bg: "111111",design_color_highlight: "ef6b13",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_waves_number: "3",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_waves_padding: "1",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_reflection_size: "0.25",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_mode:"normal",preview_on_hover:"off",skinwave_comments_playerid:"21361383",php_retriever:"https://myquestforthebest.com/wp-content/plugins/dzs-zoomsounds/soundcloudretriever.php" }; try{ dzsap_init(".ap_idx_11685_64",settings_ap21361383); }catch(err){ console.warn("cannot init player", err); } }); Top 3 Take-Aways from this Interview When you focus on the problem or ask people what they did wrong, it shifts more energy into protective-defensive mechanisms and people lose (temporarily) their ability to be creative and productive.It is important to learn positive framing and asking generative questions in dealing with a difficult situation.Appreciative inquiry had been equated with the 5D methodology: Define, Discover, Dream, Design and Destiny/Deploy. It has so many more applications. Tweet-Ready Insights from this Episode Lead people to ask questions on what is the thing you want now and what insight that you want rather than correct the mistakes that you made.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), Conversations Worth HavingClick To Tweet When we are stressed and fearful we lose our ability to think creatively and connect with other people and to access our higher order thinking because all the energy is going to protect us.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres…Click To Tweet Outcomes-focused positive framing and generative questions gives people tools to intentionally make conversations worth having everytime.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri TorresClick To Tweet A generative question is something that changes the way we think and creates images that compel us to move towards that future that we want.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), author of Conversations Worth HavingClick To Tweet Let go of getting it right or wrong and instead adopting this: how do I inspire the best from people that I'm working with?>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), author of Conversations Worth HavingClick To Tweet Aid people to flip the problem to its positive opposite and talk about what you want and the outcomes you are hoping for.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), author of Conversations Worth HavingClick To Tweet These outcome-focused and inquiry-based interactions create conditions that enable people to connect, collaborate, and bring their best creative selves to the task at hand.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres, Conversations Worth…Click To Tweet

body .audioplayer.skin-wave.playerid-21361383:not(.a) .ap-controls .con-playpause .playbtn , body .audioplayer.skin-wave.playerid-21361383:not(.a) .ap-controls .con-playpause .pausebtn { background-color: #111111;} jQuery(document).ready(function ($){var settings_ap21361383 = { design_skin: "skin-wave" ,autoplay: "off",disable_volume:"default" ,loop:"off" ,cue: "on" ,embedded: "off" ,preload_method:"metadata" ,design_animateplaypause:"default" ,skinwave_dynamicwaves:"off" ,skinwave_enableSpectrum:"off" ,skinwave_enableReflect:"on",settings_backup_type:"full",playfrom:"off",disable_scrub:"off",soundcloud_apikey:"" ,skinwave_comments_enable:"on",settings_php_handler:window.ajaxurl,skinwave_mode:"normal",skinwave_wave_mode:"canvas",pcm_data_try_to_generate: "on","pcm_notice": "off","notice_no_media": "on",design_color_bg: "111111",design_color_highlight: "ef6b13",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_waves_number: "3",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_waves_padding: "1",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_reflection_size: "0.25",skinwave_wave_mode_canvas_mode:"normal",preview_on_hover:"off",skinwave_comments_playerid:"21361383",php_retriever:"https://myquestforthebest.com/wp-content/plugins/dzs-zoomsounds/soundcloudretriever.php" }; try{ dzsap_init(".ap_idx_11685_33",settings_ap21361383); }catch(err){ console.warn("cannot init player", err); } }); Cheri Torres, co-author of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement Cheri Torres and Bill Ringle discuss the finer points of using questions to direct focus for better relationships and better outcomes using appreciative inquiry for small business leaders. >>> Visit MyQuestforTheBest.com for complete show notes and more expert advice and inspiring stories to propel your small business growth. Top 3 Take-Aways from this Interview When you focus on the problem or ask people what they did wrong, it shifts more energy into protective-defensive mechanisms and people lose (temporarily) their ability to be creative and productive.It is important to learn positive framing and asking generative questions in dealing with a difficult situation.Appreciative inquiry had been equated with the 5D methodology: Define, Discover, Dream, Design and Destiny/Deploy. It has so many more applications. Tweet-Ready Insights from this Episode Lead people to ask questions on what is the thing you want now and what insight that you want rather than correct the mistakes that you made.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), co-author of Conversations Worth…Click To Tweet When we are stressed and fearful we lose our ability to think creatively and connect with other people and to access our higher order thinking because all the energy is going to protect us.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres…Click To Tweet Outcomes-focused positive framing and generative questions gives people tools to intentionally make conversations worth having everytime.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), author of Conversations Worth Having: Using…Click To Tweet A generative question is something that changes the way we think and creates images that compel us to move towards that future that we want.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), author of Conversations Worth Having:…Click To Tweet Let go of getting it right or wrong and instead adopting this: how do I inspire the best from people that I'm working with?>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), author of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative…Click To Tweet Aid people to flip the problem to its positive opposite and talk about what you want and the outcomes you are hoping for.>> #MQ4B Ep238 with Cheri Torres (@cheri_torres), author of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative…Click To Tweet These outcome-focused and inquiry-based interactions create conditions that enable people to connect, collaborate, and bring their best creative selves to the ta...

Imagine how your life would change if you had a clear and consistent approach to having conversations that would strengthen relationships, resolve conflict, and expand future possibilities? Conversation expert Dr. Cheri Torres and I cover those topics and more in this episode. We also talk about the key principles in her book, Conversations Worth Having, and the philosophy and practice of appreciative inquiry.  If you are a leader, coach, or consultant, or someone curious about shifting any local or national conversation, I highly recommend this episode, as I was immediately able to apply what I learned to my coaching work with leaders. Show Highlights: Dr. Cheri Torres explains “appreciative inquiry” [2:22 ] and “generative questions” [3:54] The nuances of creating a positive frame for a conversation [5:33] Dr. Cheri Torres provides examples of “generative questions” [7:53] How these practices may manifest during under-performing employee reviews [9:12] How to run effective meetings [16:40] Workshops: “Conversations Worth Having” and “Strategic Conversations” [20:19] What the “appreciative conversation” with yourself might sound like [22:16] Identifying and addressing fear and other emotions upfront in conversations  [24:00] Broadening conversations with your neighbor to create positive change [27:51]   Resources:   Book - Conversations Worth Having by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres   Have effective conversations, EVEN with your kids! FREE Conversation Toolkit can be downloaded here: https://www.conversationsworthhaving.today   Article - “Business As An Agent for World Benefit” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/business-as-an-agent-of-w_b_2091045   https://www.rhinomind.com   Follow Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind

Have you ever had a conversation with someone that ruined your day? Have you ever had a conversation with someone that made your day brighter? On today's episode, learn about the four types of conversations from the book Conversations Worth Having by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres and see where you spend most of your time. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/themorninglightshow/support

Cheri Torres is a senior catalyst and consultant at Collaborative by Design and Innovation Partners. She works with leaders and teams in every sector, enhancing their conversational intelligence to support excellence, creativity, and success. Her change management strengths include facilitating strategic whole system conversations and train-the-trainer programs that give organizations the skills and tools to change culture from the inside out. Cheri holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Collaborative Learning from the University of Tennessee.   Jacqueline (Jackie) Stavros passion is working with others to create meaningful results for positive change. She is recognized for her creation of SOAR, a positive approach to strategic thinking, planning, and leading (www.soar-strategy.com). She is a professor at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) and Appreciative Inquiry Advisor for Flourishing Leadership Institute and David L. Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry. She has worked across all sectors, including for-profit, nonprofit, government, and a wide spectrum of industries. She has worked in over 25 countries using Appreciative Inquiry to affect the lives of thousands or people and hundreds of organizations improve capacity to thrive and increase performance. Appreciative Inquiry is one of the most effective and widely used approaches for fostering positive change to improve the outcomes of your interactions with others.  She lives in Brighton, Michigan, with her husband, Paul; their kids, Ally and Adam; and Rex, a lovable dog.   Jackie and Cheri are the co-authors of a new book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productivity and Meaningful Engagement, published by Berrett Koehler. You can find out more here: www.ConversationsWorthHaving.Today.     In this episode, Karen, Jackie, and Cheri discuss: Success Story of Jackie & Cheri Commit to Get Leads Inquire into what your perspective client’s needs are, what their aspirations are, and see how your product or service can add value to their goals. Consult to Sell Use positive framing – take the time to go into a conversation and find out what they wish to have happen moving forward, not what they want to not happen or what they want to avoid. Connect to Build and Grow Uplift people, strengthen relationships, create productivity, strengthen business – create a positive culture through those conversations. Success Thinking, Activities and Vision Appreciative inquiry is important especially in your own self talk and mental conversations. If you visualize yourself succeeding, and put into practice your success actions, you will succeed. Sweet Spot of Success       "If you would seek to add value to those people that you would bring your product or your service to, then you would be doing appreciative inquiry."- Cheri Torres     *5 Minute Success - Listener Giveaway* Go to ConversationsWorthHaving.Today to receive your FREE executive summary of the book and a FREE list of generative questions!     Connect with Jackie Stravos & Cheri Torres:   Website: ConversationsWorthHaving.Today Book: Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement     About the Podcast   Join host Karen Briscoe each week to learn how you can achieve success at a higher level by investing just 5 minutes a day! Tune in to hear powerful, inspirational success stories and expert insights from entrepreneurs, business owners, industry leaders, and real estate agents that will transform your business and life. Karen shares a-ha moments that have shaped her career and discusses key concepts from her book Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day: Secrets of a Top Agent Revealed.   Here’s to your success in business and in life!     Connect with Karen Briscoe:   Twitter: @5MinuteSuccess Facebook: 5MinuteSuccess Website: 5MinuteSuccess.com Email: Karen@5MinuteSuccess.com   5 Minute Success Links   Learn more about Karen’s book, Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day   Subscribe to 5 Minute Success Podcast   Spread the love and share the secrets of 5 Minute Success with your friends and colleagues!     Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

How do you build a conversation so it's worth having? In this week's show, Russ interviews Jackie Stavros who cowrote the book, Conversations Worth Having, along with Cheri Torres. This show will get you thinking about how you architect conversations with your spouse, your kids, your employees, boss, and customers and improve your communication skills. Download the show notes at http://www.russhill.com/013

For survival's sake, we are hard-wired to scan for what's wrong. The problem is, when we focus exclusively on what we don't want and what's not working, we get stuck in the negative. What if we could shift the conversation to the things that ARE working and what we DO want—and solve our problems along the way? What if we could leverage everyday conversations to dramatically improve outcomes in both our personal and professional lives? Cheri Torres is an author, speaker and catalyst for change. She specializes in leadership and team development, partnering with clients to facilitate positive organizational change through Appreciative Inquiry. Torres is also an entrepreneur, founding the management consultancy Innovation Partners International as well as NextMove, a firm that helps organizations invigorate collaboration and create a culture of excellence. She is the author and co-author of numerous books and articles, including Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement. Today, Torres shares the Appreciative Inquiry conversation model, explaining how a focus on what IS working opens us up to higher-order thinking. She describes the top two components of conversations worth having: generative inquiry and positive framing. Listen in for Torres' insight on improving outcomes for our organizations and relationships by way of Appreciative Inquiry—and learn to make a conscious choice to scan for what's RIGHT!   Key Interview Takeaways Appreciative Inquiry is an approach to organizational change and design that focuses on the best of what IS and what's possible. Rather than looking at what's wrong and how to fix it, Appreciative Inquiry asks: What do we want? Where can we go together? How do we get there? By focusing on what's working, we open ourselves to higher-order thinking. Torres contends that we are energized by our successes, and directing our attention there leads to creativity and innovation. Worthwhile conversations begin with great questions. Torres explains that inviting people to share information (rather than making statements) breeds deeper understanding and connection. Positive framing means choosing a tone and direction that moves us toward what we want. The process of Appreciate Inquiry is not about ignoring the negative but finding the pockets in an organization where things are going right—and replicating what works through the system as a whole. Connect with Cheri Torres NextMove Innovation Partners International Cheri Torres on LinkedIn Cheri Torres on Twitter Cheri Torres on Facebook Resources Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres Jackie Stavros on LinkedIn Jackie Stavros at Lawrence Technical University Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Sedam uses an episode of Seinfeld to discuss how our beliefs affect how we see the world around us and how that impacts our decisions. In Seinfeld, Episode 12 of Season 9, George has a huge wallet where he keeps everything. It is so large it causes him pain. It is also so large it give Jerry a lot to make fun of him about. We use it to better understand the book, Conversations Worth Having, by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres. By listening to the interactions between George and Jerry, we can see how the Constructionist Principle works and why how we have constructed the worlds we occupy can impact our decisions. We also get to use two principles from the book: 1. Having a positive frame and 2. Asking generative questions can change the direction of the conversations we have. If you would like more information or would like me to speak at your organization, please visit www.crucialtalks.com. I would love to talk with you.

Cheri Torres is interviewed by Mike Sedam about how to have strength-based conversations to implement change. Cheri co-authored the book Conversations Worth Having. It is available from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CibTMf Words have power, so we should be intentional of the words we use. Appreciative Inquiry is the foundation of these conversations and helps us change the lens we use to view a situation. You may be dealing with the same exact situation, but the frame you use to construct the conversations you have can help change the focus, and thus the outcome. The conversations we have can create safe workspaces which can lead to greater creativity and innovation. It's not about putting on rose-colored glasses. Having these conversations still recognizes the issues we are dealing with and helps us resolve complex challenges. The way we engage, talk, and make meaning constructs our reality. Conversations are not neutral. They either move us in one direction or another. For more information about Cheri and the book, "Conversations Worth Having" by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres, please visit: www.converstionsworthhaving.today. Also, to check if I am available to speak to your organization or if I can help in any other way, please visit www.crucialtalks.com.  

Conversations are the heart of what we do. The type of conversations we have impact all aspects of our business and personal life. Creative organizations have conversations that lead to creativity. In this episode, Dr. Cheri Torres shares how to engage in conversations that matter and how to help your organization be more creative. It is surprisingly simple and you can start implementing change immediately. What You'll Learn Four types of conversations and which ones to avoid The two simple Appreciative Inquiry practices The impact of conversations that matter and how one hospital went from low patient satisfaction scores to amazing within one quarter [powerpress] About Cheri Torres, Ph.D. Working with Cheri, people learn to use everyday conversation to dramatically improve outcomes for their organization and relationships. Leaders and team members develop their capacity to use Appreciative Inquiry to foster productive and meaningful engagement, even when facing complex problems. The success her clients experience is not magic. Her approach is grounded in the most current research in positive psychology and neurophysiology. Leaders working with her learn to create the kind of relational dynamics that ignite the full potential of their teams and organization, resulting in high performance, innovation, and goal achievement. Culture change and strategic planning become opportunities for engaging all stakeholders in conversations that create change from the inside out. She has worked across all sectors: corporate, government, education, and social profit/NGOs, supporting their capacity for learning and innovation, shared leadership, teamwork and collective impact. She has trained thousands of trainers and teachers in the use and practice of Experiential Learning, Appreciative Inquiry, and other strength-based processes. In addition to North America, she has worked in India, Mexico, Canada, South America, and Europe. Cheri holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Collaborative Learning from the University of Tennessee. She also holds an MBA, a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology, Level 2 certification in Cultural Transformation Tools/Barrett Values Centre, and Level II certification in Spiral Dynamics Integral. She has authored numerous books and articles. Her most recent book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement, was published by Berrett Koehler in May 2018.. She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, Michael; their two dogs, Logan and Annabelle; and two cats, Ziggy and Lucy. Resources Book: Conversations Worth Having Cheri's website Karl Rohnke Creativity Award Leave a review on iTunes Weekly Challenge Pay attention to the conversations you have this week. When you find yourself in a negative conversation, ask a generative question. See what happens and how it flips the conversation into something with a more positive, hopeful, and productive spin.   Note: The links on this page may be affiliate links. That means I get a small commission of your sale, at no cost to you. However, I only share links to products that I or my guests believe in. Enjoy them! 

In this episode, co-authors Dr. Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres weave memorable stories throughout their latest book that bring to life to the two practices that underpin conversations worth having: positive framing and generative questions. The stories cross a range of contexts, from healthcare to banking, education, family, technology, manufacturing.  They all illustrate very clearly how these two simple principles can shift a conversation that may be stuck or spiraling downwards towards a conversation that is depreciative to one that spirals upward and is appreciative, productive and meaningful. For resources and links mentioned in this episode, visit http://positivitystrategist.com/ps93