Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a whole new way of thinking; a new perspective that shifts the focus from a deficit-based way of thinking and encourages people to discover their natural talents, dream a new future to capitalize on those natural talents, and design a pathway to fulfill that future.  When people realize they don’t need to fix themselves in order to achieve their vision this frees them to reach for greater heights beyond what they or anyone else could have imagined.

Appreciative Inquiry is a powerful methodology designed to cause positive, sustainable change in organizations, groups and individuals.  Simply defined, AI is the study of what gives life to human systems when they function at their best.  The idea is that by studying what works and discovering the strengths of the group, organization, or individual you can bring more of these things into the future thereby increasing the capacity to fulfill a vision.  People become enlivened and engaged in the process of Appreciative Inquiry because it focuses on strengths and positive attributes. Life changes when you focus on what’s working!!

Appreciative Inquiry was first created in the mid 1980’s by Dr. David Cooperrider at The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western University.  Since then AI has been used in organizations such as Roadway Express, Hunter Douglas, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the US Navy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), BP, Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, Mittal Steel, and Toyota to name a few.

Albert Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.  We must learn to see the world anew.”  Traditional change initiatives utilize problem solving as the primary approach.  Problem solving has two fundamental limitations: 1) it points the finger at someone thereby creating an environment of defensiveness and disempowerment and 2) it puts the attention on yesterday’s causes, keeping the organization rooted in the past.

Conversely, Appreciative Inquiry focuses on the power and capability of the group, organization, or individual.  AI creates a positive image of the future that naturally pulls the group, organization, or individual forward into the future releasing it from the limitations of the past. 

Appreciative Inquiry is a new paradigm that encourages people to master their talents and strengths and make their weaknesses irrelevant. Its intent is to bring out the very best in people for their own satisfaction and fulfillment resulting in stronger, healthier organizations.  Strong, healthy organizations then result in and sustain happier, more fulfilled human beings.  These outcomes naturally lead to more productive and profitable businesses.