Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry Offshoots and Innovations
One of the strengths of Appreciative Inquiry is that David Cooperrider and other early AI thought leaders were committed to keeping AI open source and available to all. The co-editors of this issue are increasingly aware of the bounty of AI offshoots and innovations that are evolving around the world. Their hope is that this issue will plant the seeds for more offshoots to flourish.
As forever friends and lifelong partners in AI innovations, Ada Jo Mann, Sallie Lee and Jennie Silbert have reunited to shine the light on what they have noticed as offshoots of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) emerging around the world.
One of the strengths of Appreciative Inquiry is that David Cooperrider and other early AI thought leaders were committed to keeping AI open source and available to all. As the Appreciative Inquiry community enters the age of the Earthshot, where ever more creative ways of seeing and using the AI principles are contributing to new solutions, we are increasingly aware of the bounty of AI offshoots and innovations that are evolving around the world. By offshoot or innovation we mean strengths-based approaches that align with and go beyond the core AI principles and practices and touch almost every aspect of human interaction.
We believe there are people doing spectacular AI work around the world, many of whom others may not have heard about or be connected to. We dedicate this AI Practitioner issue to shining a light on some of these offshoots and innovations. Our hope is that this issue will plant the seeds for more offshoots to flourish, which we hope can be included in a future book. (Note: if you have an offshoot that you think might be included in that future book, we’d like to hear from you!)
This AI Practitioner issue is organized by the many branches, by the unique vines and offshoots, including:
Planet/worldview
Graphic of AI Principles by Diana Arsinian (2016) • Igniting Hope, Love and Positive Change: Appreciative Inquiry Principles in Action, by Wendy B. White and Lisa Marie Main • From Climate Anxiety to Climate Resilience, by Alex Arnold • Regenerative Business Growth: Using Ecosystem Strengths To Build A Better World, by Bernard Mohr
Community
• Appreciative Inquiry, Social Identities and Behavior Change, by Dr Cathy L. Royal, Ph.D. • Reimagining Place and Appreciative Inquiry Practice Through Transdisciplinary, Technology-Driven Approaches in New Zealand, by Dr Maggie Buxton and with Kim Newall To read Maggie Buxton’s article, go to page 32.
Education
• A Journey: Evolving AI Practice in Higher Education and Resilience, by Drs Joan McArthur-Blair and Jeanie Cockell
Health and wellness
• Leveraging Appreciative Intelligence for Healing Trauma with Survivors of Human Trafficking, by Carol Metzger
Reflecting on Our Journey: Sharing Appreciative Inquiry (AI) within the NHS, by Suzanne Quinney, Daniel Hodgkiss, Katy Fisher and Kayleigh Barnett
Organizational excellence
• Reinvention is The Strategy: Breathing New Life Into Change Management Gone Wrong, by Nadya Zhexembayeva • Icky or Wow! How AI Can Transform Philanthropy – and Even yYur Life!, by Jim Lord • From Deficits to Strengths: Transforming Intercultural, Diversity, To read Jim Lord’s article, go to page 54 Equity and Inclusion with Appreciative Inquiry, by Tanya Cruz and Marlene Ogawa
Individual learning and reflection
• Reimagine Retirement: Turning Transitions into Transformations, by Sherri Sutton • Appreciative Living Rapid Change: the Next Generation of AI, by Jackie Kelm • Appreciative Inquiry as a Pathway to Reflection, Individual Learning and Personal Transformation, by Miriam Subirana • PAUSEitivity: Navigating the Space Between Reaction and Response, by Maureen (Mo) McKenna To read Miriam Subirana’s article, go to page 69.
Generative conversations
• Appreciative Inquiry in Practice: Building Inclusive Cultures and Antifragile Capacity in Biotechnology Organizations, by Amri Johnson • From Principles to Practice: Expanding Appreciative Inquiry with Conversations Worth Having, by Cheri Torres and Jackie Stavros
• speakGreen: Co-creating a Thriving World, Word-for-Word – The Transformative Power of Our Word Choice and Narratives, by Claudia Gross • Changing the Conversation around Death and Dying, by Tony Silbert
The Poetic Principle
Anne Radford
To read Claudia Gross’s article, go to page 89. Appreciative Inquiry: The Gift That keeps on giving Indra’s Net: Ancient Image of Oneness, Wholeness and Diversity
Joan McArthur-Blair
Blue Water Bridge Wonder
Ada Jo Mann
Words Create Worlds Follow the Sun Positive Image, Positive Action Villanelle for Appr
