Conclusion
A common criticism of Appreciative Inquiry is that it ignores or even denies problems. While at first blush this view may seem understandable, it is nevertheless untrue. Appreciative Inquiry does address issues and problems, but from a different and often more constructive perspective: it reframes problem statements into a focus on strengths and successes. For example, rather than ask participants to list the problems their organization is facing, they are asked to explain what is going well, why it is going well, and what they want more of in the organization. In some Appreciative Inquiry efforts, participants are also asked to state their specific wishes for the organization. This implicitly raises and addresses problems.
More broadly, Appreciative Inquiry does not turn a blind eye on ‘negative’ situations or ‘deficit-oriented’ realities in organizations; it does not substitute a ‘rosy’ and ‘romantic’ picture for an ‘objective’ and ‘realistic’ one. It accepts these realities for what they are—areas in need of conversations and transformation.[14]
Appreciative Inquiry can be a powerful tool in the hands of all professionals who have been educated to support families and who willingly apply and trust its dynamic process[15].
References
Orem, S.L.& Blankert, J.& Clancy,A.N., Appreciative Coaching A Positive Process for Change,Jossey-Bass,2007
Cooperrider, D., Whitney, D. Appreciative Inquiry : A Positive Revolution in Change, draft, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2005.
( www.appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/uploads/whatisai.pdf )
Cooperrider, D.L. & Whitney, D., “Appreciative Inquiry: A positive revolution in change.” In P. Holman & T. Devane (eds.), The Change Handbook, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
Cooperrider, D.L. et. al. (Eds) , Lessons from the Field: Applying Appreciative Inquiry, Thin Book Publishing, 2001
Jamie Lynn Gairo,Appreciative Families:A Family Coaching Model for Positive Change,2007
Gloria DeGaetano, Helping Parents Make Important Decisions Through Appreciative Inquiry,2011,http://ezinearticles.com
Anne T. Coghlan, Hallie Preskill, Tessie Tzavaras Catsambas,An Overview of Appreciative Inquiry in Evaluation,2003,
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[1] Orem&Blankert&Clancy,(2007),Appreciative Coaching A Positive Process for Change,Jossey-Bass, p-24
[2] Cooperrider, D., Whitney, D. (2005). Appreciative Inquiry : A Positive Revolution in Change. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
[3] Cooperrider, D.L. & Whitney, D., “Appreciative Inquiry: A positive revolution in change.” In P. Holman & T. Devane (eds.), The Change Handbook, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., pages 245-263.
[4] Cooperrider, D.L. et. al. (Eds) , Lessons from the Field: Applying Appreciative Inquiry, Thin Book Publishing, 2001, page 12.
[5] Jamie Lynn Gairo,Appreciative Families:A Family Coaching Model for Positive Change,2007,p 20-21
[6] Jamie Lynn Gairo,Appreciative Families:A Family Coaching Model for Positive Change,2007,p -21
[7] Jamie Lynn Gairo,Appreciative Families:A Family Coaching Model for Positive Change,2007,p -21
[8] Gloria DeGaetano, Helping Parents Make Important Decisions Through Appreciative Inquiry,2011,http://ezinearticles.com
[9] Jamie Lynn Gairo,Appreciative Families:A Family Coaching Model for Positive Change,2007,p -22
[10] Gloria DeGaetano, Helping Parents Make Important Decisions Through Appreciative Inquiry,2011,http://ezinearticles.com
[11] Jamie Lynn Gairo,Appreciative Families:A Family Coaching Model for Positive Change,2007,p -22
[12] Gloria DeGaetano, Helping Parents Make Important Decisions Through Appreciative Inquiry,2011,http://ezinearticles.com
[13] Jamie Lynn Gairo,Appreciative Families:A Family Coaching Model for Positive Change,2007,p -22
[14] Anne T. Coghlan, Hallie Preskill, Tessie Tzavaras Catsambas,An Overview of Appreciative Inquiry in Evaluation,2003,p-6
[15] Gloria DeGaetano, Helping Parents Make Important Decisions Through Appreciative Inquiry,2011,http://ezinearticles.com