Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a proven, collaborative, strength-based approach to facilitating positive change and building capacity in organizations, groups, and communities. It was pioneered in the 1980s by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Its assumption is simple: Every human system has something that works right–things that give it life when it is 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.
By focusing on what’s going right, rather than what’s going wrong, people can deeply inquire into what’s right and why, and then find ways of pulling those successes into creating more of what they want to do now.
AI does not ignore the negative; rather it shifts our basic orientation from problem-focused to possibility-focused.
“Problems get replaced with innovation as conversations increasingly shift toward uncovering the organization’s (or group’s, or community’s) positive core.” – Bernard J. Mohr, AI Consultant
Explore the links below and start inspiring positive change in individuals and organizations today!
- Learn more about becoming certified.
- Use our resources and find other ways to be involved with the Center for Appreciative Inquiry.
- Search our directory to find a certified AI Professional to help you achieve change in your organization.
- Find upcoming training courses and programs designed to help you learn and apply Appreciative Inquiry to facilitate change, fuel productive and meaningful conversations, use visuals and AI in designing meetings, 1:1 coaching, and so much more!
