How do you use Appreciative Inquiry to explore conflict potential?

1 What is Appreciative Inquiry?

Appreciative Inquiry is a philosophy and a practice that assumes that every system has something that works well and can be built upon. It involves asking generative questions that elicit stories of success, strengths, and values from the participants. The purpose of AI is to create a shared vision of the desired future and to co-create the actions that will make it happen. AI is based on four principles: constructionist, simultaneity, poetic, and anticipatory.

2 How to apply AI to conflict analysis

AI can help you analyze conflict by shifting your perspective from problem-solving to possibility-creating. Instead of asking what is wrong, what are the causes, and what are the solutions, you can ask what is working, what are the opportunities, and what are the aspirations. By doing so, you can uncover the positive core of the conflict, the common ground, and the potential for synergy. To apply AI to conflict analysis, you can use the 4-D cycle: discover, dream, design, and destiny.

3 Discover: Appreciate the best of what is

The first step of AI is to discover the best of what is in the current situation. You can do this by conducting interviews with the parties involved in the conflict, as well as other stakeholders who have relevant insights. The interviews should be based on open-ended questions that invite positive stories, examples, and feedback. For example, you can ask: What do you appreciate most about the other party? What are some of the achievements or successes that you have shared or witnessed? What are some of the values or principles that guide your actions or decisions?

4 Dream: Envision what might be

The second step of AI is to dream of what might be in the future. You can do this by facilitating a dialogue among the parties and stakeholders, where they share their hopes, wishes, and aspirations for the situation. The dialogue should be based on affirmative questions that stimulate imagination, creativity, and optimism. For example, you can ask: What are some of the possibilities that you see for resolving or transforming the conflict? What are some of the benefits or outcomes that you would like to achieve? What are some of the qualities or characteristics that you would like to have in your relationship?

5 Design: Co-construct what should be

The third step of AI is to design what should be in the present. You can do this by collaborating with the parties and stakeholders, where they co-create the solutions, actions, or changes that will move them toward their desired future. The collaboration should be based on generative questions that foster agreement, commitment, and ownership. For example, you can ask: What are some of the steps or strategies that you can take to realize your vision? What are some of the resources or supports that you need or have to make it happen? What are some of the indicators or measures that will show your progress or success?

6 Destiny: Sustain what will be

The fourth and final step of AI is to sustain what will be in the future. You can do this by supporting the parties and stakeholders, where they implement, monitor, and celebrate their solutions, actions, or changes. The support should be based on appreciative questions that reinforce learning, feedback, and recognition. For example, you can ask: What are some of the achievements or results that you have accomplished or observed? What are some of the challenges or difficulties that you have overcome or learned from? What are some of the ways that you can acknowledge or appreciate yourself and others?

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?