The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change

by Diana Whitney, David L. Cooperrider (Foreword), Amanda Trosten-Bloom

This work describes a wildly popular approach to organizational change that dramatically improves performance by encouraging people to study, discuss, learn from, and build on what's working, rather than simply trying to fix what's not.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management, Leadership, Psychology, Education, Reference

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Alena Kuzniatsova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the concept of Appreciative Inquiry and the message of the book: if you want to change an organisation, engage people into studying, discussing, and building upon what’s working – strengths – rather than trying to fix what’s not.

Looking for a positive core of the organisation (a set of its strengths) and building upon it, gives energy to the people and a new life to the organisation.

To uncover the positive core, the first step would be to conduct mini-interviews with employees following a script similar to this one:
1. Please tell me about a peak experience or a high point in your time while working here? The time when you felt most alive, most engaged and really proud of yourself and your work.
2. Without being humble, what do you value most about
- yourself and the way you do your work? What unique skills do you bring to your team and this organisation?
- your work
- your team
- the organisation and its contribution to society and the world
3. What core factors give life to this organisation when it is at its best?
3. If you had a magic wand and could have three wishes granted to heighten the health and vitality of this organisation, what would they be?

Everybody has a say and appreciates being listened to, recollects positive moments, their strengths and those of their team and the company, expresses their view of the directions to follow or what the company needs to focus on. After the results of the interviews are processed, common themes are identified and worked upon collectively. Again with participation of as many diverse employees as possible.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine having an opportunity to share what you like about your job, what you appreciate about your place or work and what makes you effective? Appreciative Inquiry is such an opportunity. Participants are released from the constraints of problem-solving, complaints and negativity. Four areas, Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny are the basis for an experience that can transform any organization into a well oiled, happy and productive environment.

[Amanda Trosten-Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a co-author, I get to hear many reviews. This has been called the "bible" of Appreciative Inquiry texts, with a great combination of theory and practical steps. The second edition strengthens the Design and Destiny chapters, and includes a new chapter on Appreciative Inquiry as a tool for Community Planning.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues my reading on organizational change. It is the nuts-and-bolts of the approach to change known as Appreciative Inquiry, and I recommend it highly as a positive take on that dreaded subject of change within an organization.

[Janne Asmala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical and well-written guide to using appreciative inquiry as a methodology of change in an organization.

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new and energizing way about thinking organizational, community, and personal change. Frankly, the book is a little dense, but worth the read because the ideas within are powerful and different.

[Bob Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous book. We have used this book and process in my church to prepare for the 21st Century.

[Greta Samuelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas and sound advice. Could have been a little less wordy and filled with fluff but I highlighted several sections and took notes about a better way to get goals accomplished.

[Rachel Paulsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed this book so take the review with a grain of salt… this book had good ideas in theory but felt a little naive. Positive psychology and human centered problem solving is so important and has it its place but focusing solely on trying to change relationships, work cultures, etc. by positive approach only can lead to ignoring natural human response to change. I also felt like there were a lot of repetitive aspects of this way of thinking without actually giving concrete methods of change. Anyways, not my fav.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not good.
When you read this book, you will find there are so many things you're familiar with, except for the "positive attitude". But I don't think the mindset is worth the price of the book.
Other elements in the book are all from the regular organization transformation, such as self-organizing, work together, make OUR decision and so on.

[Ann Louise Tisdale-Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book last month and it proved timely and an excellent nuts and bolts look at AI. It’s a great reference book and has useful terms that I use consistently with my groups, such as “Change Agenda” and details on the process. All very helpful.

[Alex Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed description of the AI process offers ideas on how one might implement it for an organisation.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

From time to time, I stumbled onto references to Appreciative Inquiry, but for me it always sounded too cheesy with terms like Dreams or Destiny. But finally I decided to read this book which claimed to be a good introduction to the method/field. And I found it just that - very comprehensive introduction. It gave me feel of what this AI thing is, it's 'philosophy,' methods, and examples of implementation. And I found it quite interesting to the point of willingness to experiment with something AI-inspired.

Very briefly, it's a method of shifting organizations' and communities' focus to positive, basing that focus on positive practises, inspiring dreams and visions. Idea quite powerful, and as often pretty obvious :)

Good book, maybe just one downside for this particular reader, I didn't like how it's written. The sentences often too long and as for me, same ideas are too often repeated and regurgitated throughout the book.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciative Inquiry is a study in the are of using a positive approach to effect change. While it might seem to some that being positive is counter to high achievement, the opposite is true as borne out by data and anecdotal information offered. By the authors.

My only negative observation regarding this book is that it tends to promote other books written by the authors. Regardless, enough information is offered that anyone could follow the examples/pointers and get results.

Finally, I think it is short-sighted for the authors to limit many of their books to hardback and/or paperback books which I simply cannot afford to be carrying around. If prefer an electronic format where I can access the book any time through my e-book/iPad.

[Kit Brown-hoekstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This can be a powerful change management methodology. I did a session at the STC conference on it that went over very well and am thinking about taking some classes in it and putting together a longer workshop.

[Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that should be a lot easier to read! The comprehensive descriptions are very good and the corresponding case study very interesting too. But I felt that a simpler introduction to what AI is would have helped enormously! Nevertheless a comprehensive book

[Stuart Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well structured, clear and easy to read. Nicely illustrated with small vignettes and examples. And suggests lots of different ways of 'doing' AI - from small-scale to very large scale.

[Simcha Levental · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best book. Has some preaching. Though the substantive part of the book, is important and can come handy in difficult situations.