Playful Inquiry can Lead to Deep, Meaningful Connections - TEDx Talk

[Robyn Stratton-Berkessel]

At Rituu's lovely invitation, I'm thrilled to share my recent TEDx Talk, entitled:

"Playful Inquiry - Try this Anywhere."   

In this talk, I show how how meaningful conversations can start with a simple playful question, and it’s through sharing stories and listening that we value our human connection and can move from fear to love.  I would be very pleased to receive your comments below.

My purpose is to find ways to start meaningful conversations and let the actions follow.  I love learning and sharing what works so people can learn to do it for themselves.  To that end, my book, Appreciative Inquiry for Collaborative Solutions, 21 Strength-base Workshops enables communities to facilitate conversations and workshops around topics that are important to them.  In addition, I’ve created tools on mobile technologies about change and appreciative inquiry. 

I was born in Sydney, Australia, and currently live in the United States.  My work gives me great joy.  As a designer and facilitator of positive, strength-based methods and technologies, I have the privilege to work in the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe, where I experience our common humanity daily.  When you give full voice to people - whatever their context or educational background - be willing to step back and allow passion, leadership, joy and productivity to flourish.

 

I enjoy my own creative endeavors: writing, researching, photography and look for  connections and emerging patterns.  I am deeply in love with my talented husband, Juergen and my fluffy, black cat, Neo.  I celebrate living in our interconnected world,  filled with amazing possibilities.

 

If you'd like to find out more, please visit my website http://positivitystrategist.com

[Michelle DUNSCOMBE]

From a fellow Aussie, thank you so much so sharing. 

[Robyn Stratton-Berkessel]

Bonjour Jean-Louis.  Merci! I am honored you took a look and very happy it left you with a positive experience. 

[Jean-Louis Lamboray]

Thanks Robyn: your talk is the best thing that happened to me sofar today!

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Anita Sheehan Love it. Have seen it before and used it successfully on quite some occasions. Another variation of it is (as learned at the European Conference on Positive Psychology): "What is the funniest thing that happened to you today?"

[Robyn Stratton-Berkessel]

Thank you again, Rituu for the invitation to post.  In community, asking what works and what delights; what people are proud of; what they appreciate/value about themselves and each other always brings out the best and connects people in a caring,  supportive ways.  That is my experience. I find, too, by asking such affirmative questions, it helps people begin to look for what is to be celebrated.  They begin to look for the good in themselves and each other.  I have people come to me after I give such talks or workshops to happily "report" to that it works for them.  Some even had "reported" they now ensure they structure some "best thing" into their day, so that at the end of the day they can look back to a "best" experience.  Thank you for asking, Rituu.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Robyn, this is a useful video on how to facilitate meaningful conversations. Please share a story how you used it with a community? And a big thank you!