Creating Positive Change

Appreciative Inquiry. Ever heard of it?

Appreciative Inquiry is a ground breaking approach that Janet and I have translated into a suite of tools that we call Appreciative Business Practices. We recently presented some of these tools to groups of Job Seekers at Job Connections and Experience Unlimited. Materials from our talk, Creating Positive Change for Job Seekers, is available to anyone who is interested here.

In a nutshell, Appreciative Inquiry is simply focusing on what is working in a situation -- the strengths and positive attributes of a situation, the individuals involved, and the environment.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Not so easy in practice! Think about it ... we humans are oriented to look for what is wrong -- we conduct "root cause analyses" and "gap analyses". Performance reviews focus on "areas needing improvement". We are applauded for solving problems.

It is a sea change to begin by focusing on what is right and good. If we can make this change, we can create an atmosphere of energy and enthusiasm. Creativity and innovation flourish. Happiness and fulfillment surface.

We love to spread the positive, uplifting message of Appreciative Inquiry and to introduce our Appreciative Business Practices. Let us know if you would like to have us speak to your group.

Questions to ponder:  How much time do I spend thinking about what is good and right about a situation or person? How much time do I spend thinking about what I don't like or what is wrong with a person or situation? How would things be different if I spent more time on the positive aspects?