My Theory of Practice-The 5 Principles of Appreciative Inquiry

As I write this, I have celebrated someone or some group or something for 74 straight days.??This is the first time I've stopped and counted how many days in a row I've written because I'm not seeking to measure the number of posts I'm writing.??I've been asked about my discipline and how I'm able to write consistently.??My response is that I love to write, it's not a chore, and it's from the heart.??

I have set a goal of writing every day for all of 2022 to develop a mindset of celebration.??I absolutely love that I get to wake up every day thinking about celebrating.??It's the best feeling in the world.

I just wrapped up a series on Appreciative Inquiry focusing on the 4-D cycle and I will briefly cover the 5 core principles of Appreciative Inquiry and my take on them.??

It is clear to me that my theory of practice?(Thanks Jeff McAuliffe for your amazing coaching and guidance getting here)?is focused on strengths-based, positive psychology, and dialogic organizational development methodologies.??I absolutely understand the importance and requirement of diagnostic methods in organizational work and at the same time it is not my center.??

The Five Principles of Appreciative Inquiry and my take on them

THE CONSTRUCTIONIST PRINCIPLE:??WORDS CREATE WORLDS

We have the ability to modify our reality through the use of words.??Sometimes it is easier to escape.??I get that and I've done that.??It's also just as powerful to step into the reality and choose words that shift the situation in your mind, and potentially others, depending on the scenario you are in.

THE SIMULTANEITY PRINCIPLE:??INQUIRY CREATES CHANGE

I view this from a power dynamic perspective.??When a person in a position of power, assumed or indirect, looks into something they have the ability to move the entire group or individual in that direction.??Good and bad.??Sometimes those in power think they are providing value through inquiry and the opposite may be happening.??What you may be "offering" could come across as a "tell".??In the space of Appreciative Inquiry this may be a good thing if you are focusing on the person's or organization's strengths and they consciously know they have a choice.

THE POETIC PRINCIPLE:??WE CAN CHOOSE WHAT WE STUDY

Similar to the previous principles what we study can create the worlds we get to show up to every day.??In my opinion, this is more of a long game approach.??It takes time and energy to stop what you're doing to study so it better be for the right thing.??

THE ANTICIPATORY PRINCIPLE:??IMAGE INSPIRES ACTION

What we think about and envision we inherently bring forward to us.??"What you think, you become.??What you feel, you attract.??What you imagine, you create."??-Buddha

THE POSITIVE PRINCIPLE:??POSITIVE QUESTIONS LEAD TO POSITIVE CHANGE

This is about forming a collective mind around positive inquiry.??There is a massive amount of content out there, including legitimate studies, discussing the physical, physiological, and mental benefits of focusing on strengths and what is working well.??Committing to this principle has the ability to move entire organizations forward.

The Five Principles of Appreciative Inquiry are pretty fascinating because believing in them, and applying them, is almost like taking a leap of faith.??Also, what's not quickly realized is they also require a great deal of discipline for a couple of reasons.??

First, they outcome of the effort isn't always quickly realized.??Sometimes you have to reflect to realize progress and progress isn't always tangible.??

Second, most of the worldly pressures, people, places, things, social media, etc., are telling us that we aren't good enough and so by executing these principles you are almost always going to swim upstream.??It's why building a strengths-based enterprise can be so challenging and costly.??

This will conclude my focus on Appreciative Inquiry, however, you will most likely see it come up again and referenced in future articles and posts. See the website in the comments for reference.

I'm always open to new thought partners if you ever want to reach out and connect I would thoroughly enjoy it.

Have a great week!!!

-Brian

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