In today’s fast-paced business world, organisations are constantly seeking ways to improve their processes, enhance employee engagement, and drive positive change. The methodology that underpins our work in Mojo For Leaders is Appreciative Inquiry (AI). Developed by David Cooperrider in the 1980s, AI focuses on identifying and amplifying the strengths of individuals, teams, and organisations rather than dwelling on weaknesses.
What is Appreciative Inquiry?
It’s a collaborative and strengths-based approach to organisational development. Unlike traditional problem-solving methods, AI encourages organisations to focus on what is working well and build upon those successes. The central idea is that organisations thrive when they appreciate and leverage their positive aspects. David Cooperrider’s research demonstrated that organisations achieve better results from their people when they focus on strengths rather than deficiencies.
Powerful, positively framed questions are fundamental to AI and represent the surest pathway to unleashing organisational creativity, motivation and action. The moment we ask a question we begin to create change!
We have experienced firsthand how AI inspires and motivates individuals, teams, and organisations to see the best of what is, to dream (visualise) what can be and to power on to bring their dreams to reality.
is both a philosophy of leadership and a set of processes that support and embed that philosophy. One of these processes is the 4-D Cycle of AI – with 4 Stages – Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny.
- Discovery: In this phase, organisations explore their positive core. We ask questions like: What are our strengths? When have we been most successful? What values drive our culture? Questions are always framed positively. For instance, instead of asking, “What are our weaknesses?” we might ask “What are out opportunities for growth?”
- Dream: Organisations envision their ideal future. What would success look like? What positive changes do we want to see? ‘Dreaming’ allows teams to create a shared vision that inspires action.
- Design: In the design phase, organisations develop strategies and action plans based on their discoveries and dreams.
- Destiny (or Delivery): This is where the rubber meets the road. Organisations implement their plans, continuously monitor progress, and celebrate achievements. AI encourages a positive feedback loop, reinforcing success and learning from setbacks.
Here are some practical examples of AI in action:
- Employee Engagement: Instead of conducting conversations that highlight weaknesses, organisations can use AI to appreciate employees’ strengths. Managers can ask questions like, “What skills do you excel at?” or “When do you feel most motivated?”
- Change Management: When implementing a new process or system, AI encourages involving employees from the start. Teams can discuss their positive experiences with similar changes and co-create solutions.
- Team Building: AI workshops can help teams bond by sharing positive stories and identifying common values. Cooperrider believes that “the best way to predict the future is to create it together.”
Inquiry, with its focus on positivity and collaboration, offers a refreshing alternative to traditional change and leadership approaches. By using AI processes organisations can create a culture of appreciation, ownership, innovation, and sustainable change.
If you sense there’s more to achieve, if you desire to expand and elevate your leadership thinking and magnify your impact, then we invite you to reach out to us at info@mojoforleaders.com and discover how our AI inspired Elevate coaching or our SOAR Leadership Programme can empower and support you as you embark on a journey of growth, fulfilment, and transformation. We’ll be delighted to help you.
P.S. If you are interested in working with your team we’d be delighted to understand your needs and curate our Synergy Leadership Team Development Programme, based on Appreciative Inquiry principles and incorporating Team Coaching to support you in shaping and reaching your ambitions together.
Believes passionately that coaching and facilitating are catalysts for action and self-accountability – igniting enthusiasm, creativity, energy, and focus. She is inspired by the insights, courage, and capacity of clients as they connect with their inner confidence and initiate actions to achieve their visions. Betty adopts a collaborative, solution-focused, results-oriented process, tapping the clients’ positive energy and inner wisdom, facilitating the enhancement of personal insight, life experience, and goal attainment.
