Appreciative Inquiry as a Management Strategy
points weaker. The Experiential Learning Model is a good example, where if performance always exceeds our expectations it causes us to become complacent, over confident and ceases learning as there is no felt need for change.
In large hierarchical organizations this approach may be difficult to implement as interaction between the lower and upper hierarchies is separated making the implementation process hard to emulate throughout the organisaton.
In comparison to problem solving, AI is distinctly different. The AI process begins with ‘appreciating and valuing’ certain aspects within an organization while the problem solving process begins to focus directly on ‘identifying the problem’ as the key step. The key question in AI is “What is working well around here?” while the key question in problem solving is “What problems are you having?” which is the opposite. ‘AI is a strategy of hope, optimism and positivism, focusing on not what is missing, but what an organization has’ (Nilikant, V. lecture notes (2003)
AI is a strategy causing change depending on the direction of inquiry. Therefore if you inquire solely in an organizations problem, the problems will keep appearing, however if you inquire in a positive direction you will discover more positive aspects. If an organisation continues to identify problems over a long period of time, it can lead to negative culture in the organization. With the many challenges individuals and organizations face today it can lead people to think there are too many problems to overcome, leaving them in a sense of hopelessness. “Most companies view organizational change ‘as a problem to be solved’, while appreciative inquiry views it as ‘a miracle to be embraced’.” (Cooperrider, David. Whitney, Diana. (2001)
REFERENCES
Cooperrider, David. Whitney, Diana. (2001) A Positive Revolution in Change: Appreciative Inquiry. .
Liebler, Claudia. J. (2001) Getting Comfortable with Appreciative Inquiry. www.geminitiative.org/getting.htm.
Lord, Jim. (2000) Appreciative Inquiry and the Quest. www.appreciative-inquiry.org (downloaded 1/05/03)
Germany, Timothy. (2003) Appreciative Inquiry – something out of the ordinary. www.mediate.com/articles/ (downloaded 1/5/03)
Hall, Jo., Hammond, Sue. (2002) What is Appreciative Inquiry? www.appreciativeinquiry.cwru.edu/articles/pdf. (downloaded 1/5/03)