The Power of Appreciative Inquiry

What Is Appreciative Inquiry?
We are no longer surprised when clients ask, Appreciative what? What do you mean by Appreciative Inquiry? After all, the words are a somewhat unusual, if not paradoxical, addition to a business vocabulary that revolves around strategy, structure, problems, and profits. After learning more about the power and potential of Appreciative Inquiry, however, our clients declare, We want to do Appreciative Inquiry, but we will definitely have to call it something different for it to catch on in our organization.
Appreciative Inquiry is the study of what gives life to human systems when they function at their best. This approach to personal change and organization change is based on the assumption that questions and dialogue about strengths, successes, values, hopes, and dreams are themselves transformational. In short, Appreciative Inquiry suggests that human organizing and change at its best is a relational process of inquiry, grounded in affirmation and appreciation. The following beliefs about human nature and human organizing are the foundation of Appreciative Inquiry:
 People individually and collectively have unique gifts, skills, and contributions to bring to life.
 Organizations are human social systems, sources of unlimited relational capacity, created and lived in language.
 The images we hold of the future are socially created and, once articulated, serve to guide individual and collective actions.
 Through human communication inquiry and dialogue people can shift their attention and action away from problem analysis to lift up worthy ideals and productive possibilities for the future.
Words create worlds, and the words Appreciative Inquiry are no exception. Clients have named their Appreciative Inquiry initiatives The Zealots Program, The Power of Two, Value-Inspired People, and in the case of Hunter Douglas, Focus 2000. In each case the company brand has endured along with the words

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 What is Appreciative Inquiry?
Chapter 2 A Menu of Approaches to Appreciative Inquiry
Chapter 3 Eight Principles of Appreciative Inquiry
Chapter 4 Appreciative Inquiry in Action: From Origins to Current Practice
Chapter 5 Getting Started
Chapter 6 Affirmative Topic Choice
Chapter 7 Discovery: Appreciative Interviews and More
Chapter 8 Dream: Visions and Voices of the Future
Chapter 9 Design: Giving Form to Values and Ideals
Chapter 10 Destiny: Inspired Action and Improvisation
Chapter 11 Appreciative Inquiry: A Process for Community Planning
Chapter 12 Why Appreciative Inquiry Works
Notes
Index
About the Author

Diana Whitney, PhD, and Amanda Trosten-Bloom lead Corporation for Positive Change, an internationally recognized consultancy whose mission is to bring Appreciative Inquiry to the most pressing issues of our time. Together, they have authored over a dozen groundbreaking books on Appreciative Inquiry.
Diana Whitney, PhD, and Amanda Trosten-Bloom lead Corporation for Positive Change, an internationally recognized consultancy whose mission is to bring Appreciative Inquiry to the most pressing issues of our time. Together, they have authored over a dozen groundbreaking books on Appreciative Inquiry.

Results from Appreciative Inquiry at Green Mountain Coffee vastly exceeded my expectations. This marvelous book explains the process of AI and shares the excitement. It describes a process that truly will make the world a much better place.
Bob Stiller, founder and chair, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

This is a must-read book for anyone engaged in social change, whether at the individual, family, communal or national level.  Not only are we introduced to powerful theoretical ideas, but to practices that are now transforming people s lives around the world.
Ken Gergen, President, and Mary Gergen, Treasurer and Secretary, The Taos Institute

The Power of Appreciative Inquiry will inspire you to approach community planning in ways you ve never before considered. It will give you the knowledge, tools, and techniques you need to initiate positive and engaging planning processes that will move your community forward.
Gordon Pedrow, City Manager, Longmont, Colorado (2006 All-America City)

Appreciative Inquiry had significant and lasting impact as we went through a very large scale transformation of our business and culture.  Even the employees that were most negative were transformed.   The Power of Appreciative Inquiry is the handbook for those trying to drive businesses where they need to go during these difficult times.
Mary Peery, former Senior Vice President, Hewlett Packard Company