1' Work from strengths

1
What does it mean to work appreciatively?
What does it mean to inquire?
Where are those rose-tinted glasses?
2
In his powerful Critique of Cynical Reason,
Peter Sloterdijk (1987) observes that the whole
of postmodern society is living within an
internal dialogue or cognitive environment of a
universal, diffuse, cynicism. As a predominant
mindset of the post-1960s era, Sloterdijk takes
the cynic not as an exception but rather as the
average social character. It is argued that at
both the personal and institutional levels,
throughout our society there is a widespread
disturbance of vitality, a bleakening of the life
feeling, a farewell to defeated idealisms, and a
sense of paralyzing resentment. DAVID
COOPERRIDER, 1999
3
The aims of positive psychology

• According to Martin Seligman, psychology should
  be
• as concerned with strength
• as with weakness
• as interested in building the
• best things in life as in
• repairing the worst
• as concerned with personal fulfillment as with
  healing pathology
• should create interventions
• to make people happier.

From POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL Dr Ilona
Boniwell. University of East London
4

Working appreciatively- a move away from deficit
based approaches to change
Unintended Consequences of a deficit-based
approach

• Lamentation and blame.
• Weakened fabric of relationships, defensiveness,
  fragmentation negative culture
• Brings the past into the future rather than the
  future into the present

From An opportunity to learn more about
Appreciative Inquiry Presentation by Anne Radford
5
Working appreciatively- a move away from deficit
based approaches to change
Unintended Consequences of a deficit-based
approach

• No new positive images of the future- A
  visionless voice cynicism, alienation and
  fatigue
• Slow Puts attention on yesterdays causes

From An opportunity to learn more about
Appreciative Inquiry Presentation by Anne Radford
6
Appreciative Inquiry
Is about developing the competence to CHOOSE a
way of thinking

• Appreciative Inquiry is the cooperative search
  for the best in people, their organizations, and
  the world around them.
• It involves systematic discovery of what gives a
  system 'life' when it Is most effective and
  capable in economic, ecological and human terms.

From An opportunity to learn more about
Appreciative Inquiry Presentation by Anne Radford
7
What is transcendence?

• Focusing beyond oneself and making a difference.
• The meaningful life -
• developing what is best within yourself and
  using your skills, strengths and talents in the
  service of something greater than yourself

From POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL Dr Ilona
Boniwell. University of East London
8
We manifest what we focus on and we grow toward
what we persistently ask questions about
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It works to build the positive core of the
organisations involved.

• Organisations need a lot less fixing and a lot
  more affirmation.
• Appreciation builds relationships, collective
  intelligence, and freedom to innovate

From An opportunity to learn more about
Appreciative Inquiry Presentation by Anne Radford
10
It should not deny issues of power and inequality
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..and is respectful of peoples realities as
experienced
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Appreciative Inquiry 4-D Cycle
Discovery What gives life? (the best of what
is) Appreciating
Affirmative Topic Choice
Destiny How to empower, learn, and
improvise Sustaining
Dream What might be? (What is the world calling
for) Envisioning Impact
Design What should be the ideal? Co-Constructin
g
From An opportunity to learn more about
Appreciative Inquiry Presentation by Anne Radford
13
The Power of Appreciation..

• ..rests with its self-reinforcing and
  self-generative capacity
• Srivastva and Cooperrider, 1999
• This requires inclusion, safety in participation
  and good communication
• Effective teamworking and leadership where this
  is modelled and enacted

14
10 good ways to destroy a relationship

• 1. Criticise your partner rather than their
  actions.
• 2. Display your contempt regularly (through
  insults, hostile humour and mockery).
• 3. Attempt to control your partner.
• 4. Get defensive at every opportunity.
• 5. Take your partner for granted.
• 6. Dont show interest in your partner what she
  is doing.
• 7. Avoid communication by distancing yourself
  physically or emotionally.
• 8. Jump straight away into the deep end of an
  argument.
• 9. Make sure the TV is on when your partner comes
  home.
• 10. Adopt strong traditional roles, even if one
  of you believes in equality.

From POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL Dr Ilona
Boniwell. University of East London
15
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