Appreciative Enquiry

APPRECIATIVE  INQUIRY

An Overview

Compiled by Kendy Rossi

| |Definition/ |•         A strategy for intentional change that identifies the best of "what is" to pursue dreams and |

| |Primary Purpose |possibilities of "what could be"; a cooperative search for the strengths, passions and life-giving forces |

| | |that are found within every system and that hold potential for inspired, positive change. |

| | |•         A process of collaborative inquiry, based on interviews and affirmative questioning, that |

| | |collects and celebrates "good news stories" of a community; these stories serve to enhance cultural |

| | |identity, spirit and vision. |

| | |•         A way of seeing which is selectively attentive to  -- and affirming of -- the best and highest |

| | |qualities in a system, a situation, or another human being; |

| | | an appreciation for the "mystery of being" and a "reverence for life."  |

| | | (phrases from Cooperrider and Srivastva, 1987) |

| |Potential Uses |•         Mission Statement/Vision Development |

| | |•         Strategic Planning |

| | |•         Organizational/System Redesign |

| | |•         Process...