Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry: (AI)

both a worldview and a practical planning process

• AI is about thriving in a world of constant change
• AI approaches change from a holistic framework
• AI is a way of thinking based in positive regard
• AI is ever-evolving and growing as it unfolds
• AI stimulates deeper ideas and relationships
• AI is a learning process that is generative
• AI is constantly creating new  pathways

Core Processes of AI*

First:  Choose a positive approach as the focus of inquiry:

• (Describe)  What is best in the current situation that we want more of?                
• (Discover)  Inquire about positive Life-Giving stories – patterns/themes.      
• (Dream)  Imagine ideal images of preferred futures you want to create.     
• (Design)  Innovate new ways to create those preferred futures.                      
• (Deliver)  Develop action steps, timelines, and assignments.

*Watkins/Mohr, Appreciative Inquiry: Change at Speed of Imagination, P. 47

www.Centerforappreciativeinquiry.net               www.companyofexperts.net

Appreciative Process**

• Develop an appreciative mind-set and approach
• Be clear about what you want MORE of (Not less of)
• Track it -- Fan it  -- Reinforce it
• Praise it -- call attention to something that has already happened
• Bless it -- give license to continue
• Ask for more of it
• Meta-fan it (create a fanfare)
• Get others involved doing the fanning.

**  Bushe, Clear Leadership, pp 155 - 180

© September, 2004  Agile-Enterprise, Connecting People and Ideas with agile designs,  517-487-2300