Appreciative Inquiry Overview Linda J' Ferguson

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Appreciative InquiryOverviewLinda J. Ferguson

• Positive Thinking
• Leads to Positive Action

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AI is about New Ways of Thinking

• Our styles of thinking rarely match the
  increasingly complex worlds in which we work
  therefore we need to commit ourselves to the
  ongoing pursuit of multiple and more fruitful
  ways of knowing.
• David Cooperrider, AI Founder

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Overview of Presentation

• Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
• Basic Assumptions and Key Concepts
• Supporting Research
• Framework Shift from Problem Solving to Solution
  Focused
• Examine the AI 4-D model for system change

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Key Concept of A.I.

• Social Constructionism
• We look at the world from our own filters-
  shaped by our beliefs and life experiences
• We are the culture we come from, those we
  know, and engage with
• Reality is not objective but subjective
  and personal based on our own experiences and
  beliefs

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Our Thoughts are Energy

• What we pay attention to is what we put energy
  into
• Our shared beliefs about what is Possible are
  central to Appreciative Inquiry.
• We can not create new ways of working if we dont
  believe they are possible.

We live in a World of Possibility Curves DeWitt
Jones
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AI Shifting Perspectives

• HALF FULL vs. HALF EMPTY
• SUCCESS vs. FAILURE
• HOPE vs. DESPAIR

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When you Change the way you Look at Things,
the Things you Look at Change
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Research Supporting AI Assumptions

• Placebo Effect
• Neurobiology
• Pygmalion Effect- Self Fulfilling Prophecy
• Sports Training
• Risk and Resiliency in Youth Development
• Quantum Physics

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Positive Psychology Martin Seligman

• Positive Focused Conversation and Emotions will
• Broaden our attention and thinking allowing us
  to access greater capacity and energy.
• 2. Help us undo negative emotions
• 3. Fuel our resilience - an accumulation effect
  occurs helping us manage stress easily

http//www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Defaul
t.aspx
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A.I. Core Ideas

• Positive Image -gt Positive Action
• What we ask determines what we find
• What we find determines how we talk
• How we talk determines how we imagine
  together
• How we imagine determines what we achieve
  together

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Changing Workplace Perspectives

• Deficit-Based

• Appreciative Inquiry

• Disseminate stories best practices
• Narrative analysis of success factors
• Determine our preferred world
• Conscious, inspired choices
• Reflecting on what we do best

• Have Pain Fix a Problem
• Identify the Problems
• Root Cause Analysis
• Solution Analysis
• Action Planning

Basic Assumption Organizations have
opportunities to be explored
Basic Assumption Organizations have problems to
be solved
What you pay attention to is what you feed energy
into
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Problem to OpportunityThe positive opposite of
the worst problem
Problem What has gone wrong? Positive
Affirmative Topic to explore Opposite for
opportunities and possibilities

• Opportunities
• Peaceful co-existence
• Revenue Opportunities
• Respectful Relationships
• Energized and Engaged workforce

• Problems
• War
• Budget Deficits
• Sexual Harassment
• Low Morale

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AI is a Life Affirming Approach

• Life presents opportunities all the time.
• Life organizes and seeks systems so that more may
  flourish (eg., progression of beach to forest)
• Humans are inquisitive, in a constant process of
  discovering creating
• Humans can choose to create and move toward a
  state of greater energy
• Central Question What builds your energy?

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AI builds upon the positive aspects of human
nature

• We work best when our gifts (strengths) are
  noticed utilized.
• We work best when conditions for exceptional
  performance are enhanced.
• We each need to be seen as essential to the
  group. If we lift up meaningful contributions,
  it creates a compelling guiding image for others
• We build energy for others when people can
  express and experience their full voice about
  the good, better, possible.

Positive Thinking Leads to Positive Action
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Appreciative InquiryBasic Assumptions

• In every society, organization, or group,
  something works.
• People have more confidence and comfort to
  journey into the future (unknown) when they carry
  forward parts of the past (known).
• If we carry parts of the past forward, we can
  choose to carry the best of the past or not.
• What we focus on becomes our reality.
• Reality is created in the moment that things
  happen.
• The language we use creates our reality in the
  moment and beyond.
• There are multiple realities Our reality is
  shaped by our past experiences, beliefs, and
  perspectives.
• It is important to value differences
• The act of asking questions of an organization or
  group influences the group in some way.

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Is that all there is to AI?

• Just focus people on solutions, rather than
• problems, let them come to their own answers,
• and help focus them on their insights?
• According to research and case study
• 1. that is what the employees want in order to
  feel empowered and energized
• 2. this has been successful for hundreds of
  organizations who have done AI to make
  significant change

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Applying A.I. 4-D(5) Model
Definition Affirmative Topic Choice
Discovery What gives life? The best of what
is. Appreciating
Destiny/Delivery Innovate what will
be? Sustaining
Dream What might be? Envisioning Results/Impact
Positive Core
Design What should bethe ideal? Co-constructin
g

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Appreciative Inquiry 4-D(5) Model
Definition Affirmative Topic Choice
Discovery What gives life? The best of what
is. Appreciating
Destiny/Delivery Innovate what will
be? Sustaining
Dream What might be? Envisioning Results/Impact
Positive Core
Design What should bethe ideal? Co-constructin
g

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Framing the Questions sets you on the AI journey

• Questions and inquiry through stories bring out
• Strengths and Assets
• Resources
• Values
• Best Practices
• Traditions

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Discovery as Inquiry

• Why Start with Discovery?
• Discovery helps us inquire into the exceptional
  moments of greatness and what contributes to
  them, so we can expand to create significant
  outcomes in the future.
• When we focus on the positive, we elevate energy
  and creativity, which provides the springboard to
  move quickly and more creatively into the future.
  
• Discovery helps us Appreciate and value the Best
  of What is
• We identify the key ingredients of success that
  made the high point possible.

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Applying the Discovery Phase

• Think about how the Discovery Phase might be
  applied in your life and work or to new
  initiatives in your team/dept.
• What are the benefits of Discovery in bringing
  out the best in others?

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Dream Step
Definition Affirmative Topic Choice
Discovery What gives life? The best of what
is. Appreciating
Destiny/Delivery Innovate what will
be? Sustaining
Dream What might be? Envisioning Results/Impact
Positive Core
Design What should bethe ideal? Co-constructin
g

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New Challenges Require New Thinking First

• We cannot solve problems at the same level of
  thinking at which we created them Albert
  Einstein

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Purpose of Dream Phase

• To challenge the status quo and
• present assumptions
• To stretch into the future and to
• envision a preferred
• future that is bold, compelling
• and desired by all stakeholders.

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The Dream phase Is

• Practical-- because it is grounded in your
  positive past
• Creative-- because it seeks new possibilities
• Energy Building - because when the dream is bold
  and compelling enough you are more committed to
  action

Action
Engagement
Image
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Design

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Design-cont.

• A time to close the gap between now and the
  future
• A time to align values, structures and processes
  with your dream
• A time to identify the strategic priorities that
  enable you to move in the direction of your dream

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Destiny/Delivery
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Delivery Making It Happen

• A time to deliver on the new images of the future
  and the dynamic elements and systems created
  during the Design Phase
• It is a time for continuous learning, adjustment
  and innovation
• Create and maintain the conditions for positive
  change
• Continue the dialogue tap into the deeper story
  about the organization

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Destiny is Ongoing

• Revisit update possibility discussions
• Keep asking Discovery questions to note success
  stories.
• Identify and acknowledge High level of innovation
• Continue to learn about how organizations and
  individuals socially construct their experience
  and the group experience. Especially pay
  attention to integrating new group members
• Celebrate, Celebrate, Celebrate when you
  accomplish parts of the Action Plan

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Remember

• Positive Thinking ___________

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AI Related Resources

• Book related to A.I.
• Watkins and Mohr, Appreciative Inquiry
• Sue Annis Hammond, The Thin Book of Appreciative
  Inquiry
• Margaret Wheatley, Leadership and the New
  Science
• Wayne Dwyer, The Power of Intention
• Lynne McTaggert, The Intention Experiment
• http//appreciativeinquiry.case.edu