What is meant by Appreciative Inquiry (AI)?

It was developed by David Cooperrider in the mid eighties and takes forward the concept of 'the appreciative eye' in art. This makes the assumption that every piece of art has beauty. When applied to an individual or organisation, AI sees every individual and organisation as having 'beauty' or 'strengths' which it can use to resolve problems. The focus is, therefore, on what the individual or organisation can do rather than on what it cannot do. The AI coach through skilful questioning, supports an individual or an organisation to use its strengths to eliminate its difficulties and to find solutions to issues or problems.

The 'inquiry' begins with looking at what has been called the 'positive core' of an individual or organisation and links this directly to the taking forward of key goals or the strategic agenda. Questions centre around the Appreciative Inquiry 4-D Cycle. The cycle is made up of 4 phases – Discovery; Dream; Design and Destiny - which combine together to open up transformational thinking and sustainable development.

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