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An Introduction to

Appreciative Inquiry

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A word to describe working at MYKS

Demanding

Frustrating

Challenging Soul destroying

Unfolding

Exciting

Weaving Energizing

Empowering

New & Innovative

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Appreciative Inquiry

Ap-preci-ate, v., 1. valuing; the act of recognizing the bestin people or the world around us; affirming past and presentstrengths, successes, and potentials; to perceive those thingsthat give life (health, vitality, excellence) to living systems 2.to increase in value, e.g. the economy has appreciated in

value. Synonyms: valuing, prizing, esteeming, andhonouring.

In-quire (kwir), v., 1. the act of exploration and discovery.

2. To ask questions; to be open to seeing new potentials andpossibilities. Synonyms: discovery, search, and systematicexploration, study.

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Learning Outcomes

Set Appreciative Inquiry in the context of otherapplied research methods

Explain the key features of Appreciative Inquiry

methodology

Make an informed judgement about whether to use

this method for:

Research

Change Management

Implement a piece of Appreciative Inquiry

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Plan

Explain the emergence of Appreciative Inquiry

as a method

Introduce the AI framework

Do a small piece of AI

Discuss other applications

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What is it?

A reaction against problem-focused actionresearch

Shifts focus to strengths and positives, to the

positive core of a situation or organisation Focus on social construction & collective

strengths

A cooperative, coevolutionary search for the best

in people, their organizations, and the world

around them. [Cooperrider & Whitney 2005]

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The Key Question in AI

The unconditional positive question

The systematic discovery of what gives life

to a living system when it is most alive, most

effective, and most constructively capable in

economic, ecological, and human terms.

What gives life here?

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The 4-D cycle

Discovery Phase

Sharing the positives

Dream Phase

Sharing a vision

Design Phase

Sharing what should be

Destiny Phase

Sharing a commitment to change

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1. Discovery Phase

What gives life here?

Making explicit and appreciating the best of

what is

What most enthuses you about ?

Tell the story about a situation when you have

felt most alive, engaged, valued, etc.

Mobilising the community and sharing findings

through propositional statements

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Things that give life at MYKS

The people: they encourage you and help you

innovate and do things

If you have an idea you are encouraged to

develop it

I have the opportunity to work in line with my

core values and beliefs

I have the opportunity to be creative and

discover new things

Being part of a community that caters for

personal and professional development

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Propositional Statements

I feel life in working Independently as

Resident Engineer when:

There are opportunities for personal development

There is freedom and flexibility to develop ideas

Makes me more responsible professionally &

personally.

My work is in line with my core motivationaldrivers, values and beliefs

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2. Dream Phase

Envisioning what might be

So what is at our heart?

What should be the ideal?

What have we always wanted to be?

What is the world calling us to become?

Picturing a future: drawing a vision

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3. Design Phase

Co-constructing What should we be?

Possibility propositions and new organising

principles

What would this organisation be like if it were

designed to maximise the positive core and

accelerate the achievement of our dream?

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4. Destiny Phase

Not the action plan!

An inspired movement not a packaged

product

Positive protest

Realising the dream

An appreciative organisation

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Can we use this?

As an evaluation process

As an annual cycle

Constant renewal Still issues about

action planning: how does it get changed?

So what about the negatives? As a marketing device!

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