Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is an energizing approach for sparking positive organizational change and community development. It focuses on what is working well (appreciative) by engaging people in asking questions and telling stories (inquiry). This shift in focus to the positive generates life within the organization, community or group allowing it to move more effectively towards its goals.

AI is a way of being and seeing. It is both a worldview and a process for facilitating positive change in human systems. Its assumption is simple: every human system has something that works right – things that give it life when it is vital, effective, and successful. AI begins by identifying this positive core and connecting to it in ways that heighten energy, sharpen vision, and inspire action for change.

Since the 1980s, AI has been used to bring about collaborative and strengths-based change in organizations and communities worldwide.

Watch Jeanie Cockell presenting a Brief Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry or facilitating a large group at an Appreciative Inquiry Summit.

For more information, articles, cases, and resources about Appreciative Inquiry see the Appreciative Inquiry Commons which is a very rich resource for anyone interested in learning more about Appreciative Inquiry.

Also, Gervase Bushe’s web site has a lot of good articles on Appreciative Inquiry.

For information on Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training visit their website.