Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Inquiry(AI) is a way of working with change in a group by asking questions about when the group functions at its best, and by designing goals and visions based on the discoveries. The AI process approaches problems from a completely different perspective than conventional problem-solving, and maintains a high level of energy and commitment in the group as a result. AI welcomes and encourages people to present their different cultural worldview, creating a cooperative and understanding space where all of our cultures can endure.
Appreciative Inquiry is a tool the Ecosystem Based Plan uses in meetings to:
• Build on commonality instead of focusing on differences within a community. For example, we all need to breathe clean air and drink clean water!
• Focus on approaches that work, rather than those that don’t. For example, we might discuss what we like about the valley and how to continue improving it, rather than stating what we dislike.
• Look for opportunities in a seemingly problematic situation.
• Consider all opinions and views on an issue.
Appreciative Inquiry has five primary steps:
• Define the situation
• Discover what works
• Dream what the future looks like
• Design ways to make the dream happen
• Deliver each step of the design
Introduction...
