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Maui High Performance Computing Center
Appreciative Inquiry Organizational Survey

A. Beginnings.....

Starting back at the time you began working at the MHPCC....

1. What first attracted you to the MHPCC?

2. What were your initial impressions when you joined?

3. How have your impressions changes since then?

4. What keeps you here?

B. High Points....

In your work here, you have probably experienced ups and downs, some high points and low points. Think about a time that stands out to you as a high point- a time when you felt most involved, most effective, most engaged. It might have been recently or some time ago.

5. What was going on?

6. Who were the significant people involved?

7. What were the most important factors in the MHPCC that helped to make it a high-point experience? (e.g., leadership qualities, rewards, structure, relationships, skills, etc.)

8. What was especially important/memorable about this one experience for you?

C. Meaningful Work, Contribution and Achievement

Think about the nature of your work at the MHPC

9. What aspect of your work do you value most? (i.e., most interesting, most meaningful, most satisfying.)

10. Describe one outstanding or successful achievement or contribution of which you are particularly proud:

11. What made it outstanding?

12. What unique skills or qualities did you draw on to achieve this result?

13. What organizational factors helped to create or support your achievement?

14. What is the single most important thing the MHPCC has contributed to your life, professionally and/or personally?

D. People and Teamwork...

Think about a time when you felt most connected to your colleagues/teammates (or an individual colleague/teammate).

15. What were the circumstances?

16. What was it about the person/group that you most valued?

Think about the most effective team or committee you have been part of at the MHPCC. Give an example of a time when there was an extraordinary display of teamwork, a time when you were performing at a high level to accomplish a task or goal.

17. What was the situation and who was involved?

18. What factors or skills made such teamwork possible?

E. Communication...

Think of a time when people at the MHPCC were communicating effectively, and when you had all the information you needed to be your best.

19. What kind of communication or information sharing occurred?

20. What made it effective and how did all the parties involved benefit?

F. Leadership...

Reflect on a time when you experienced MHPCC’s leadership (managers/supervisors) at their best

21. What was the situation? What did the leader(s) do?

22. What impact did this have on you? On the organization?

Tell about a time when you felt supported, recognized and rewarded by the organization’s leadership.

23. How were you supported or recognized?

24. What impact did this have on you?

G. Mission and Service...

25. In your view, what is the common mission or purpose that unites people in the MHPCC?

26. How is this mission/purpose communicated and supported?

27. How does the MHPCC make a difference- make the world a better place?

28. What is the best example you can recall when the MHPCC provide you with the chance to "make a difference"?

H. The Future...

As an organization, there are many changes we can make now and in the future to improve and evolve with the times. However, there are some core strengths, values and ways of working that we should continue and keep doing, even as we change in the future.

29. What are 3 things we do best that you would like to see the MHPCC keep or continue doing - even as things change in the future.

30. What three wishes would you make to heighten the vitality and health of the MHPCC?

31. What part could you, do you want to play in making these wishes materialize?

I. Other thoughts, reflections?

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Dear Colleagues, I thought it would be appropriate to post this note after a list member with integrity who wrote me and inquired about obtaining copyrights or fees fee for using our web-based survey (which was made available to the list yesterday. I replied that while lots of energy went into it, the information doesn't really belong to me or my associates. In fact, many of the ideas originated from the works of colleagues- their designs, writings and wise tips. As they have shared their ideas, so we will
share ours- pro bono of course.

So, here's a note to recognize many of the resources that influenced our AI survey design. Thanks to:
- AI List members who challenged us with more questions and new ideas.
- David Cooperrider and Diana Whitney for all the learning at the Taos
Institute AI seminar
- Sue Annis Hammond and Cathy Royal, for the wonderful question examples
provided in many of the chapters of "Lessons from the Field."
- Anne Radford's AI Resource Center
- Liz Mellish's website
- Tom Devane & Peggy Holman (eds) for the AI booklet (authors
Cooperrider & Whitney)
- Gervase Bushe's writings and website

Keeping the Light of AI Learning Alive
With Gratitude
Don

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