Appreciative InquiryThe 4-D Process

COS 4850From: Whitney & Trosten-Bloom (2003)

The Power of Appreciative Inquiry

Berrett-Koehler

Appreciative Inquiry “4-D”

Discovery“What gives life?”

(The best of what is)Appreciating

DiscoveryDiscovery“What gives life?”“What gives life?”

(The best of what is)(The best of what is)

AppreciatingAppreciating

Dream“What might be?”(What is the world

calling for)Envisioning Results

DreamDream“What might be?”“What might be?”(What is the world(What is the world

calling for)calling for)Envisioning ResultsEnvisioning Results

Design“What should be—

the ideal?”Co-constructing

DesignDesign“What should be“What should be——

the ideal?”the ideal?”

CoCo--constructingconstructing

Destiny“How to empower, learn,

and improvise?”Sustaining

DestinyDestiny“How to empower, learn,“How to empower, learn,

and improvise?”and improvise?”

SustainingSustaining

AffirmativeTopic Choice

Topic Choice

The choice of topic for the 4-D process The questions we create, or co-create,

will change our perspective, relationships, values, and our world. Genius is in creating the question.

“What would the universe look like if I were riding on the end of a light beam at the speed of light?”

Albert Einstein

Topic Choice

Topic choice is critical to success. Remember, we will become what we

choose to study!

Topic Choice

Enhanced Profitability Discovering new business Customer retention

Customer Service going above and beyond delighting the customer

Topic Choice

Strategic advantage Being the best Creative growth potential

Employee retention Happiness at work On-the job learning

Topic Choice

Educational excellence Moments of inspiration

Topic Choice

Who selects the topic? What topics will we study?

Topic Choice

Topics are positive Topics are desirable Topics stimulate learning Topics stimulate discussion about

desired futures

Topic Choice

Core questions Tell me about a high point in your

professional life when you felt most alive, most engaged, and really proud of yourself and your work.

Without being humble, what do you value most about yourself, your work, your career, your team, your organization?

Topic Choice

What are the things that give life to this organization when it is at its very best?

If you woke up tomorrow morning and this organization was vital and healthy what would it be like?

Topic Choice

A process for selecting topics Provide overview of AI Identify themes Share stories Discuss potential topics Cluster and select topics

Discovery

Who will craft the questions and guide? Who will we interview? Who will conduct the interviews? What training will the interviewers

need? Who will make meaning of the data? How will we communicate stories and

best practices?

Discovery

Craft appreciative interview questions Develop an interview guide Create an interview plan Communicate the strategy Train interviewers Conduct interviews Disseminate stories and best practices Map the positive core

Discovery

Good interviews flow naturally and have a conversational quality.

They invite stories. They touch people’s heart and soul. They draw on experiences in life and

work. The focus us on a series of powerfully

positive experiences.

Discovery

They give people room to explore. Invite an inner journey. Paint positive pictures. Have a logical flow to them. Give free reign to imagination. Suggest action.

Discovery

Interview guides Overview

This is how we will proceed and how the information will be used.

Set the stage Tell me about your beginnings with the

organization. What do you value most about your association with.

Discovery

Interview Guides Topic questions

Reflect the affirmative topics selected

Concluding questions What are the core factors that give life to

_____? Five years from now this organization is being

recognized for excellence, why?

Discovery

Summary Sheets Record stories and information

Quick Action Sheets Items for immediate attention

Discovery

Stories are powerful. Our organizations and culture rely on stories to communicate conventions and meaning.

Dream

Whom should we involve? What experiential activity will reveal our

images of the future? What will be the outcome of our dream?

Dream

Get the voices in the room!

Dream

Activities Guided imagery Reflection Drawing Mind-mapping Painting Acting Singing

Dream

Reflect on a focal question Imagine we are 10 years in the future. We

are where we want to be. What does it look like? How do people act, how do they live, what do they value?

Dream

Engage in a dream dialog Sharing the dreams that emerge

Clarify the collective dream What have you heard others share? What does it look like?

Dream

Creatively Enact the Dream Skits, stories, songs, poems

Determine Common Themes Identify threads and similar visions

Create an Organization Dream Map A mural, a book, an archive of the

collective dream

Design

Give form to the the expression of human creativity and enable the realization of aspirations.

Design

What are we designing? Who needs to be involved? How do we describe our ideal

organization?

Design

Organizational design Work processes Partnerships or relationships Principles of leadership, service,

satisfaction Values

Design

A statement or picture of the ideal organization Narrative statements proposing an ideal Stretch the organization Use vivid positive imagery Statements of belief that constitute the

ideal organization

Design

Everyone who touches this organization feels welcome and valued. We honor and cherish the diversity of our clients, co-workers, partners, and our community. When we become involved in someone’s life, opportunities are realized, dreams become reality, and healthy, fulfilling lives are the result.

Destiny

How will we learn about the gains we have already made?

How will we celebrate? What are the parameters of self-

organized action? How shall we self organize? How will we support success?

Destiny

Review, communicate, and celebrate accomplishments

Generate a list of potential actions Self-organize for inspired action projects Support the success of projects Systematic application of appreciative

inquiry

Destiny

Celebrate Along the Way Tell me about the good things that have

happened since we began this process

Ideas for Action Tangible, exciting opportunities

Destiny

Expand the application of appreciative inquiry

Self-organize for action New teams, processes, ways of working

Establish a Supporting Infrastructure Advisory Teams Team Leaders

Summary

By liberating people’s power appreciative inquiry enhances an organization’s capacity for positive change.