Using Appreciative Inquiry to Transform the Energy Industry, with Cheri Warren

Podcasts
August 14, 2024

Cheri Warren is a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience in creating impactful, lasting change. Specializing in innovation and appreciative inquiry, she has led high-performance teams in the electric and gas utility industry, most notably as Senior Vice President at National Grid and later as Innovation Strategist on their Board. Cheri is also a dedicated advocate for women in industry, serving on various leadership committees and mentoring others. She holds advanced degrees in electrical engineering and has a long history of contributions to IEEE, including winning the 2007 PES Excellence in Distribution Award and speaking at the White House. She joins us to share her journey with Appreciative Inquiry and how it has impacted her work, teams, and life.

Episode Highlights:

• Cheri Warren discovered Appreciative Inquiry (AI) while working as chief of staff for National Grid’s CEO, and she immediately saw its potential.
• AI was used to redesign a smart grid pilot by involving the Worcester community and stakeholders, leading to a more inclusive and effective initiative.
• A pivotal summit, facilitated by AI, transformed skeptics into supporters and identified nine initiatives, three related to energy and the smart grid.
• The revamped smart grid proposal secured an additional $10 million in funding and led to the creation of a “sustainability hub” in a low-income neighborhood.
• AI transformed performance reviews at National Grid from a negative annual event to a positive monthly conversation, significantly boosting team performance.
• National Grid’s engineers became highly motivated when they saw the real impact of their work on customers, leading to a high-performing team.
• National Grid began leading climate initiatives, achieving top national rankings in energy efficiency and changing industry practices towards sustainability.
• A third global summit focused on transforming the global supply chain with a climate focus, involving key figures like Dame Ellen Macarthur.
• AI principles have had a transformative effect on Cheri’s leadership, emphasizing trust, connectedness, and a generative approach to problem-solving.
• Cheri encourages using the question “How might we?” to spark positive change, applying AI principles in both professional and personal contexts.
• To hear more from Cheri or read more about her work, check out this highlight reel from her talk at the 2023 ODN Conference, as well as her article with David Cooperrider in the AI Practitioner Journal.

Cheri WArren

This is what we’re trying to get to… the lack of separateness and the full circle of compassion that embraces all living creatures. In my experience with summits it was clear. There’s a consciousness, compassion, generating power in this approach…. Everybody who participated was touched, not just in their head, but specifically in their hearts. And what ended up happening is those ripples…went everywhere, in places you couldn’t even see. It just changed people’s lives.

Did this episode inspire or impact you? Want to make an impact on us? If so, SHARE this episode with a friend, leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts, and follow Inspiring Impacts wherever you listen to podcasts!