Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) was developed by Dr. David Cooperrider and his colleagues as a new paradigm with the potential to replace the conventional problem-solving methods of organization development.

AI begins with the belief that we have a "choice", that we can consciously choose what we "see" and act upon. In both the personal and social realms, we can choose to focus on problems, needs and deficits - the traditional problem-solving approach. Or we can choose to see possibilities, capabilities and assets - the basis of appreciative inquiry.

AI involves, in a central way, the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system’s capacity to apprehend, anticipate, and heighten positive potential. It involves the mobilization of inquiry through the crafting of the “unconditional positive question” often-involving hundreds or sometimes thousands of people. In AI the arduous task of intervention gives way to the speed of imagination and innovation; instead of negation, criticism, and spiraling diagnosis, there is discovery, dream, and design.

By focusing on what's right, rather than what's wrong with an organization, an individual or even a society, AI gives us access to the kind of energy that can be transformative. Having that kind of energy to work with gives us the confidence to develop and pursue a new image of the future.

Contact us to begin a dialogue about how Appreciative Inquiry meetings and techniques can help your organization to recognize its possibilities, capabilities and assets and grow from that strong foundation.