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Hello, Eva:<BR>
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I would like to share with you one practitioner's understanding of Appreciative Inquiry. The essence of AI, in my understanding, is "asking the right questions." It is strengths-based, beginning with the success stories of the past. This is followed by building on the sense of (organizational/individual) success and refining the themes of the stories into "provocative propositions." These in turn become the bases of action plans, moving the organization/individual forward. During the process, the participants in AI also explore the "positive core" of the the organization/self (all the skills, talents, abilities, etc.). The process is based on a 4-D cycle (discovery/dream/design/destiny) but there is nothing rigid about it. And, "finally," AI is about exploring/expanding the possibilities and generating a positive future. Along the way, the passions and dreams of those involved are not sacrificed to the process or to any pre-conceived idea of outcomes or results. The same is true during the process, as the facilitator remains in a position of neutrality regarding the content of the process. Ultimately, it is the passion and sense of responsibility to carry forward (sound familiar in OS?) that determines whether any change process is "successful."<BR>
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There are many excellent texts on AI, focusing on the 4-D model and experiential findings in the field. In <I>Positive Organizational Scholarship: Foundations of a New Discipline</I> (ed. Kim Cameron et al), David Cooperrider and Leslie Sekerka introduce a new AI model for positive organizational. This model involves the elevation of inquiry, the fusion of strengths, and the activation of energy in relation to: the high/low of: a) inquiry into the Apppreciative World; and b) relatedness to others.<BR>
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This brief description is possibly falling somewhere in the abyss between an awkward and unrevealing "sound byte," and the awkward overload of information in response to the question you asked. In my practice, which also includes years of conflict resolution, I have never focused on the outcome/solution. In my practice, as I attempt to delicately/gracefully/neutrally facilitate the process of people finding their own way, I believe my focus is very much in tune with Open Space, i.e., asking the right questions and holding the space open for people to discover, dream, and design their own destiny.<BR>
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What the magic of change process is for me is to witness the birth of a transformed perspective, when people experience (often for the very first time) that their future is in their own hands. They can, with passion and responsibility, create and implement their own positive alternative future. This magic is part of every change process that I am aware of, be it Appreciative Inquiry, Future Search, World Cafe, conflict resolution and, indeed, Open Space. Whether there are a greater or fewer number of steps in the process, I hold the space and hope that change/transformation will happen. This is why I do what I do.<BR>
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All the best,<BR>
Kate Armstrong<BR>
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"THe best way to predict the future is to create it now, together."<BR>
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From: Eva P Svensson <eva@epshumaninvest.se><BR>
To: OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR>
Subject: AI and Solution focused management?<BR>
Date: Sat, May 28, 2005, 4:26 AM<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT SIZE="2">Hello dear list members!</FONT> <BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2">Sometimes I have heard here in Sweden of Lösningsfokuserat arbetssätt - Solutions focused management I believe is the English term. And today Istumbled over a webpage and I have been searching around there for a bit. It says that the method was invented or described by Steve de Shazer och Insoo Kim Berg from Brief Family Therapy Centre, Milwaukee, USA. And as I understand its used for example in short time therapy but also in groups/companies to create better work environment, improve teamwork and results.</FONT> <BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2">My question is if anyone of you know what the difference is between a Solution focused approach and Appreciative inquiry? Both talk about focus on whats working, that the answer is within us</FONT> <BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2">All the best from a soon to be summer weather and the west coast of Sweden</FONT> <BR>
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<FONT SIZE="2">Eva</FONT> <BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#993366">Bästa hälsningar</FONT> <BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#993366"><FONT SIZE="5">Eva P Svensson</FONT></FONT> <BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#993366">...................................................................</FONT> <BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#993366"><FONT SIZE="2">EPS Human Invest AB</FONT></FONT> <BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#0000FF"><FONT SIZE="2"><U>eva@epshumaninvest.se</U></FONT></FONT> <BR>
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<FONT COLOR="#993366"><FONT SIZE="2">www.epshumaninvest.se</FONT></FONT> <BR>
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