What is Appreciative Inquiry?
- AI is a world view: a holistic outlook which values each person's contribution and their role in shaping their own future and the future of the community of which they are a part
- It is a set of principles and beliefs about how human systems function, and a philosophy and orientation to change
- It is a way of enabling individuals, organisations and communities to understand each other better in order to work together more effectively
- It is a means of finding out what inspires and empowers people in a system, discovering how they could respond to change or pioneer new, innovative thinking
- It is a powerful new vehicle for accelerating change through collaboration and connectedness to a positive core of strengths within individuals and teams, to unleash energy and imagination to transform the future
Why the name?
- The method is appreciative: it values and accentuates what is good and working within a community, to focus on generative, "life-giving" forces
- The method uses inquiry: it seeks to understand through questioning and discovery
The core principles of AI
- AI starts with a focus on what is really working well, what gives energy, life and vitality. It involves searching for best practices. In every group, something works
- It involves an intense exploration of "unconditional positive questions", to involve as many stakeholders as possible in realising their full potential
- It amplifies what is working, and builds on success and strengths
- It recognises that the language we use creates our reality and what we focus on becomes our reality
- It recognises that people have more confidence in facing change (the unknown) when they carry forward the best of the past (the known)
- The value of diversity is central to the method
The models of AI
Based upon the core principles outlined above, a five stage model is often used:
- Define: defining the focus of the inquiry
- Discover: discovering people's stories, values and wishes, through interviewing
- Dream: generalising the themes into positive images of the community
- Design: developing ideas and proposals for turning the dreams into reality
- Deliver: creating new structures and systems to realise the desired destiny
AI is rooted in Social Constructionist theories, builds on the Power of Image (positive thinking, placebo and Pygmalion effects) and encompasses the New Sciences (chaordic theory, self-organising systems and quantum physics).
The applications for AI
AI is capable of engaging with whole systems on a huge scale. It is also capable of incorporating key topics, such as team working, harnessing change, developing creativity and innovation, fostering co-operative working relationships, valuing diversity, diffusing conflict, enhancing partnerships and mergers, and building new "chaordic" structures.
By focusing on the "positives", does this not seek to hide or diminish the "negatives" or problems?
No. There are, of course, real and important problems to be recognised and overcome. Importantly, however, AI begins with a positive focus, not with the problems! You may choose to deal with the problems later, after a positive momentum has been established.
Who developed the appreciative method?
David Cooperrider at Case Western Reserve University.
How can I learn more?
Appreciative Inquiry Handbook by David Cooperrider, Diana Whitney and Jacqueline M Stavros
Appreciative Inquiry: Change at the Speed of Imagination by Jane Magruder Watkins and Bernard Mohr
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