Introduction to
Appreciative Inquiry
Presented by Pepperdine MSOD
Omnicron Class
Cycle Forward Learning Group
June 2013
Module Objectives
• Gain basic understanding of
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) techniques
• Experience the positive impact of AI
• Learn how and when to use/apply AI
• Exposure to AI resource toolbox for
future use
Traditional Problem Solving Vs AI
Problem Solving
“Felt Need”
Identification of
Problem
Analysis of Cause
Analysis of
Possible Solution
Action Planning
(Treatment)
Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciating
“Valuing the Best
of What Is
Envisioning “What
might be”
Dialoguing “What
Should Be”
Innovating “What
Will Be”
From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry
Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.
Ap-pre’ci-ate, v.,
“…to value or admire
highly; to judge with
heightened
understanding; to
recognize with
gratitude.”
In-quire’ (kwir), v.,
“…to search into,
investigate; to seek
for information by
questioning.”
From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry
Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.
AI Exercise – 4 Parts
Pair
Interviews
Pair
Interviews
Part I
Part II
Learning
Group
Sharing
What You
HEARD
Find
Common
Themes &
Establish
Actions
Part I & II
Part III
30 mins
25 mins
Note: Pairs should be within Learning Groups – Trios when necessary
Pair Interview Questions – Part I
Instructions: Person A interviews person B using the
following questions. Feel free to take notes to be
prepared to report out to your learning group later.
(Then reverse Roles)
Questions:
1. What would you describe as being a
high-point experience while in France, a
time when you were most alive and
engaged?
2. When were you at your personal best?
3. What are the core factors that made our
cohort most effective on this trip?
Pair Interview Questions – Part II
Instructions: Follow same process as Part I
Question:
• Imagine you have awaken after a long, deep
sleep . You wake up and you have just
finished the November trip to Costa Rica.
Your ideal state has become the reality.
– What do you see? What happened on the trip?
How were things better than the France
practicum?
Learning Group Exercise
Part III
• In your learning group, share what YOUR
PARTNER told you during the interview
(everyone should be heard; ~2min per person)
• Everyone should take notes
• Record high point common themes on a flip
chart
• Images of the future: How can you apply this in
the future - identify what the group wants to do
different for the Costa Rica practicum to make it
the best session imaginable
• Be prepared to share one brief highlight with the
cohort
Five AI Principles
Positive Principle
In the interest
of time we will
only cover 2-3
of slides #1114 (there will
not be enough
time to do
them all)
Anticipatory Principle
Simultaneity Principle
Poetic Principle
Constructionist Principle
From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry
Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.
The AI 4-D Model
of Positive Change
Discovery
“What gives life?”
The best of what is.
Appreciating
Destiny
“How to empower,
learn, and improvise?”
Sustaining
Affirmative
Topic
In the interest
of time we will
only cover 2-3
of slides #1114 (there will
not be enough
time to do
them all)
Dream
“What might be?”
Envisioning
Results/Impact
Design
“What should be –
the ideal?”
Constructing the
future
From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry
Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.
Why AI Works –
The 6 Freedoms
Free to be Known in Relationship
Free to Be Heard
Free to Dream in Community
Free to Choose to Contribute
Free to Act with Support
Free to Be Positive
In the interest
of time we will
only cover 2-3
of slides #1114 (there will
not be enough
time to do
them all)
What’s Different About AI?
• Purposefully positive
• Builds on past success
In the interest
of time we will
only cover 2-3
of slides #1114 (there will
not be enough
time to do
them all)
• “Grass Roots” and “top down”
• Highly participative
• Nurtures a positive “inner dialogue”
• Stimulates vision and creativity
• Accelerates change
From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry
Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick, OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.
Creating Engaging AI Questions
• State questions in the affirmative
• Begin with a leading questions that builds on affirmative
topic choice
• Give a broad definition to the topics
• Invite participants to use storytelling and narratives
• Phrase in rapport talk, not report talk
• Allow ambiguity because it gives room to “swim around”
• Value “what is”
• Spark the appreciative imagination by helping the person
locate experiences that are worth valuing
• Convey unconditional positive regard
• Evoke essential values, aspirations and inspirations
Note: Every question most begin with a positive preface
From Cooperrider, D. L., Whitney, D., Stavros, J. M. (2008). Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (2nd ed.). Brunswick,
OH: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.
Evolution of Uses of AI
Over the Last Thirty Years
Timeline
Late
1980s
Early
1990s
Mid
1990’s
Late
1990’s
Early
2000s
Interviews
Focus
Groups
Small
Conference
Large
Conference
Mega
Conference
1-1
Sampling
Most / all
engaged
Whole
System
Crosssystems
Example
Team /
Small Dept
Med/Large
Dept
Plant / Site
All
stakeholders:
Nations /
Religions
Planning
1-2 people
Small team
Large team
Large team
plus
consultants
Several
teams, army
of
consultants
Approach
Scope
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acquisition Integration
•
Change initiatives
•
Coaching
•
Diversity Initiatives
•
Employee Engagement efforts
•
Focus Groups
Leadership & Team development •
Meetings
New product development Strategic Planning
Work process redesign
Organization culture change
Organization transformation
Surveys
And many more…
Overview of Toolkit
• List of recommended books on AI
• Free videos on YouTube
• Sample presentations (including
this one) on AI
• “Cheat Sheet” AI concepts
EXTRA
INFORMATION
Things to take to France
•
•
•
•
•
•
Exercise Instructions (Louise)
Hard copy of presentation (Louise)
Job Aides (Kim)
Books (Louise – 3, Kim – 1)
Markers (Louise)
Surveys (Val)