Vic sent to the AI listserve a question about how to deal with people who feel AI will not work in their situation. He asked how do you bring people onboard who believe that traditional “problem solving” is the only way. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Vic writes: I’m new to this list – and fairly new to AI (although I’ve been facilitating for many years). I’m fortunate to now be rolling out a five-month AI process in a large rural region of central Victoria (encompassing a number of large and small towns, including community groups, farmers, and government support staff) to develop a support strategy for volunteer groups who are working on improving the environment. We have a committed and enthusiastic advisory committee, and I have just completed six half-day workshops on conducting AI interviews. Most people are enthusiastic about AI once they have experienced the interviews (and interviews are starting to roll in already). In one fairly isolated part of the region – but where great work is being done nonetheless – a couple of people have decided that AI is not suitable for strategy development, and that you ‘couldn’t possibly do an appropriate support strategy without identifying the problems and how to fix them’. I’ve trotted out all the wisdom I can about AI, let them experience the mini interviews etc etc but to no avail. I don’t think their view will prevail – the positives will crowd them out, but I am concerned that they (and the groups that they influence) may feel apart from, rather than a part of, the process and choose to disengage. This would be a shame as they have a lot to offer. Any suggestions on how to deal with this situation would be very welcome! Cheers Viv *************************** Viv McWaters Beyond the Edge Pty Ltd PO Box 665 Torquay 3228 Australia (03) 5261 9498 0417 135 406 Several people wrote back to Vic with some great suggestions so we wanted to include them here. This is question that many AI consultants and organizations struggle with when introducing AI.