Inspiration and stories
KS News, events & blogs

As a narrative practitioner, this era sometimes aches a little. All those fleeting stories flashing by on our phones. According to philosopher Byung-Chul Han, we live in a time of narrative poverty. Where stories once formed the fabric of communities with a shared past, shared values and a shared horizon, they have now often become instruments of marketing and self-presentation.

As Kessels & Smit, The Learning Company, we support in questions related to learning & development, organisational change, leadership & team development, structure & strategy processes and sustainable employability & job satisfaction. But how do we do that? In the coming months, we will highlight an example of such a client question each time. This time, a project from our change practice.

As Kessels & Smit, The Learning Company, we support in questions related to learning & development, organisational change, leadership & team development, structure & strategy processes and sustainable employability & job satisfaction. But how do we do that? In the coming months, we will highlight an example of such a client question each time. This time, a project from our (re)organisation practice.

The European AI (Appreciative inquiry) Network meets several times a year – sometimes virtually, sometimes in person in one European country or another. In this AI Practitioner issue participants in the European Appreciative Inquiry Network share their experiences of the meeting in Namur in 2024.

It was many years ago when we first realized that the questions we ask, the strenghs we notice every day, and the stories we share, can completely change how teams show up and grow. That insight became the heart of our book: 'Appreciative Inquiry as a Daily Leadership Practice'. Together with our publisher Taos Institute, we decided to make our book part of the WorldShare Books program. With that our book is from now FREELY available for everyone!

As Kessels & Smit, The Learning Company, we support in questions related to learning & development, organisational change, leadership & team development, structure & strategy processes and sustainable employability & job satisfaction. But how do we do that? In the coming months, we will highlight an example of such a client question each time. This time, a project from our talent practice.

As Kessels & Smit, The Learning Company, we support in questions related to learning & development, organisational change, leadership & team development, structure & strategy processes and sustainable employability & job satisfaction. But how do we do that? In the coming months, we will highlight an example of such a client question each time. This time, a project from our design practice.

The Open Issue 2025 is out now! The Open Issue has become an annual feature of AI Practitioner. It is the one issue that doesn’t have a linking theme for the articles. Instead, authors share their thoughts, their interests and their passions related to Appreciative Inquiry.

As owner of RB Konnekt, Roos Beerkens has dedicated herself to creating an inclusive society, especially through organisations. From her rich experience, she is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion (DGI) with heart and soul. These values also drive her mission for her. Derk van der Pol talked to her about it.

The September issue of AI Practitioner, the International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry, is out. This is the second bilingual English-French issue, giving us a glimpse into appreciative inquiry practices in French speaking organisations and communities. The issue holds stories from France, Morocco, Canada, Senegal, Belgium and Switzerland.