Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a transformative approach that focuses on leveraging an organization’s strengths rather than fixing its weaknesses.
It is a powerful tool for organizational change and development, emphasizing the positive aspects of an organization’s culture, processes, and structures.
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Background Overview of Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Inquiry was developed in the late 1980s by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva, two professors at Case Western Reserve University.
They proposed a new approach to organizational change, which differed from traditional problem-solving methodologies.
Instead of focusing on problems, deficits, and weaknesses, AI focuses on strengths, successes, and potential. It is a process that seeks to identify what is working well, analyze why it is working well, and then amplify those successes.
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Features of Appreciative Inquiry
Several unique features characterize Appreciative Inquiry.
It is a strength-based approach, focusing on the positive aspects of an organization and its people.
And it is also collaborative, involving all stakeholders in the process of inquiry and change.
AI is generative, aiming to create new knowledge and ideas that lead to desired changes.
Lastly, it is proactive, seeking to anticipate and shape the future rather than reacting to past events.
Benefits of Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Inquiry offers numerous benefits.
It boosts morale and motivation by focusing on strengths and successes.
AI enhances collaboration and trust among team members by involving them in the change process.
AI also promotes creativity and innovation by encouraging people to envision their ideal future and find ways to achieve it.
Moreover, it facilitates sustainable change by building on what is already working well in the organization.
Steps in Appreciative Inquiry
The Appreciative Inquiry process typically involves four stages, known as the “4-D cycle”:
- Discovery: Identify what is working well in the organization.
- Dream: Envision what the organization could be.
- Design: Plan and prioritize actions to achieve the envisioned future.
- Destiny/Delivery: Implement the plans and sustain the change.
10 Best Practices for Appreciative Inquiry
- Involve Everyone: Ensure all stakeholders are involved in the AI process to gain diverse perspectives and foster ownership of the change.
- Focus on the Positive: Always concentrate on strengths, successes, and potentials, not weaknesses or problems.
- Ask Powerful Questions: Use open-ended, positive questions to stimulate thought and discussion.
- Listen Actively: Encourage people to share their stories and experiences and listen to them attentively.
- Create a Safe Space: Ensure that everyone feels safe expressing their ideas and opinions without fear of judgment or criticism.
- Visualize the Future: Encourage participants to imagine their ideal future vividly.
- Co-create the Future: Collaboratively design strategies and actions to achieve the envisioned future.
- Celebrate Successes: Regularly acknowledge and celebrate progress and achievements.
- Sustain the Change: Continually reinforce the positive changes and integrate them into the organization’s culture.
- Learn and Adapt: Regularly review the process and outcomes and adjust as necessary.
In conclusion, Appreciative Inquiry is a powerful approach to organizational change and development.
Focusing on strengths and potentials, boosts morale, enhances collaboration, promotes creativity, and facilitates sustainable change.
The key to successful AI is to involve everyone, focus on the positive, ask powerful questions, listen actively, create a safe space, visualize and co-create the future, celebrate successes, sustain the change, and learn and adapt.
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With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
