Handbook for Developing Emotional and Social Intelligence: Best Practices, Case Studies, and Strategies

13.2. WHAT APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY IS

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a way of being and seeing that emerges from its unique philosophy and set of principles. It is both a worldview and an organizational development process for facilitating positive change in human systems, including organizations, groups, and communities. It assumes that every human system (including the individual) has something that works right—aspects that makes it vital, effective, and successful. AI begins by identifying this positive core and connecting to it in ways that heighten energy, sharpen vision, and inspire action for change. Bernard Mohr (Watkins & Mohr, 2001, p. 2), a noted AI practitioner, says, "Problems get replaced with innovation as conversations increasingly ...