Positive Psychology at Work:

Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry offers a way to increase the capacity and capability of an organization without adding more ‘kit’. It is a way of approaching organizational growth that resonates strongly with the principles and practices of positive psychology. In addition, it is one of the few approaches to change that recognizes the organization as a living human system. In order to engage with Appreciative Inquiry one needs to engage with what is for many people a whole new set of ideas about where the roots of organizational change lie. Key notions here include: that inquiry creates reality, focus, direction and growth; that organizations have a positive core which is a key asset for positive growth; that positive emotions are a source of organizational energy and growth; that a growth in relational connectedness leads to increases in community spirit and understanding; that growth and change can happen in non-linear dynamic ways; and that the self-organizing ability of organizations is a basis for sustainable growth.

These ideas stand in opposition to the common views on growth: that it is necessary to solve some problem or deficit; that organization is at its core very difficult and problematic; that investigation changes nothing, only planned intervention does that; that people have to be directed and organized to achieve change; that negative emotions (fear, anger) are the best source of energy for organizational change; that change is a planned linear process; ...