What is Appreciative Inquiry?
Appreciative Inquiry has come to us as an alternative approach to community and social change. Traditional models identify problems and focus on associated risk factors. The field of positive psychology has revealed that where we (individuals, organizations, and communities) focus generates our attitudes, expectations, and social norms. Within this realm of understanding, we also know that the three core needs for psychological well-being are relatedness, autonomy, and competence. A deficit-oriented focus on community provides roadblocks to growth in these areas. Psychological well-being is foundational to creativity, innovation, and hope.
Appreciative inquiry is a strength-based approach that at its core, looks for what is possible, what resources are available, and what is working well already. This approach is powerful in that it brings diverse actors and perspectives together to share stories full of differing insights, ideas, and possibilities. From the shared narrative that emerges from these stories, bright light can illuminate new, collective paradigms that challenge and invite participants to see themselves, their environments, and their co-creators as powerful change agents. The implementation of these new paradigms is referred to as positive disruption. Interruptions to the mundane acceptance of negativity and status quo.
The intention of appreciative inquiry is systemic flourishing. This intention is founded on the belief that hope is realistic and there is a way things can work that is beneficial to all entities concerned. Systems can be seen through the metaphor of organisms. When the parts of the organism are “identified” and “valued” in a way that places them in relationship with each other, the exchange of appropriate resources for individual thriving will empower intrinsic systems. One of those systems present in most organisms is the immune, or “healing” system. This works quite well when the organism is healthy. When it is operating as a disconnected collection of independent entities, each competing for instead of sharing resources, the healing system cannot function.
Six Generative Elements of the AI Dynamic Cycle
Define, Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Drum
Appreciative Inquiry has come to us as an alternative approach to community and social change. Traditional models identify problems and focus on associated risk factors. The field of positive psychology has revealed that where we (individuals, organizations, and communities) focus generates our attitudes, expectations, and social norms. Within this realm of understanding, we also know that the three core needs for psychological well-being are relatedness, autonomy, and competence. A deficit-oriented focus on community provides roadblocks to growth in these areas. Psychological well-being is foundational to creativity, innovation, and hope.
Appreciative inquiry is a strength-based approach that at its core, looks for what is possible, what resources are available, and what is working well already. This approach is powerful in that it brings diverse actors and perspectives together to share stories full of differing insights, ideas, and possibilities. From the shared narrative that emerges from these stories, bright light can illuminate new, collective paradigms that challenge and invite participants to see themselves, their environments, and their co-creators as powerful change agents. The implementation of these new paradigms is referred to as positive disruption. Interruptions to the mundane acceptance of negativity and status quo.
The intention of appreciative inquiry is systemic flourishing. This intention is founded on the belief that hope is realistic and there is a way things can work that is beneficial to all entities concerned. Systems can be seen through the metaphor of organisms. When the parts of the organism are “identified” and “valued” in a way that places them in relationship with each other, the exchange of appropriate resources for individual thriving will empower intrinsic systems. One of those systems present in most organisms is the immune, or “healing” system. This works quite well when the organism is healthy. When it is operating as a disconnected collection of independent entities, each competing for instead of sharing resources, the healing system cannot function.
Six Generative Elements of the AI Dynamic Cycle
Define, Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver, Drum
- Definition asks “What is the focus of inquiry?” “What generative topic do we want to focus on together?” The affirmative topic of choice. What does the system want more of? CLARIFYING
- Discover is asking generative questions and dialogue about what works, the best of what is. Participants share “stories of strengths.” This phase rediscovers and remembers the organization or community’s successes, strengths, and periods of excellence. The questions themselves, in addition to the answers, begin the process of creating. APPRECIATING
- Dream is imagining “what could/might be?” or “What is the world calling for?” Participants co-create a shared purpose. This phase allows for new possibilities and a vision of a preferred future. It projects the discovery of what is best onto participants’ wishes, hopes, and aspirations for the future. ENVISIONING
- Design asks the question, “What should be?” A combination of what works best with what could be. Participants brainstorm and play together to unlock potential. CO-CONSTRUCTING
- Deliver/Destiny/Deploy asks “What will be?” How to empower, learn and adjust/improve. Supports self-organized generosity. Identifies how the design is delivered and embedded into groups, communities, and organizations. INNOVATING
- Drum is the generative response to the ongoing systemic change instigated by the AI process in which gratitude and belonging are continually nurtured and feedback loops are created to maintain a clear understanding of what is happening within the system. This is where Empowered Evaluation happens. ATTENDING