Appreciative Inquiry for Change Management: Using AI to Facilitate Organizational Development

by Sarah Lewis

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is one of the most exciting and increasingly recognized concepts in facilitating organizational change. This book studies AI in depth, illustrating the method of asking particular questions and envisioning the future, encouraging staff to consider both the positive and negative systems in place and to recognize the need to implement change. It demonstrates how AI can be practically applied through positive psychology, understanding various perspectives and trialling tested approaches to create change through conversation. Case studies from organizations that have already integrated conversational methods into their change management practice show the value and effectiveness of the processes and how to promote, create and generate such conversations yourself. Written in jargon-free language, this is an excellent resource for you to discover the benefits that conversational techniques can bring to your organization and its performance. Appreciative Inquiry for Change Management explains the theory and practice of AI, World Cafe, Open Space and other conversational approaches for facilitating organizational development (OD).

Genres: Management, Nonfiction

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

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Reviews

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book with links to other books read this year, Mindset, Happiness Advantage and Grit. The book provides a good guide as to how you can use A.I. in your own organisation, it's also helped by the case studies towards the end of the book. These case studies also show that change happens and whatever framework you use must be adapted to help facilitate that change. A good introduction to A.I. and helpful to allow you to start your journey.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the intention of engaging people to develop and change, this specialist book looks at Appreciative Inquiry (AI), a process based around conversational practice to ask questions, develop organisations and focus on things that just work.

The authors seek to use the "most ubiquitous of human abilities" to enable change to a company through conversation. It is a lot more than just opening your mouth and, of course, not all conversations are face-to-face or verbal. The book, a second edition that adds much new information, itself can be a bit daunting to the uninitiated, yet it is packed full of information and knowledge. It is worth spending time on the subject, since once you get a good understanding you may be able to use it to improve the performance of your business. A number of case studies are provided that showcase companies that use AI, so you can learn from their experiences and also be inspired.

It is not an easy read. Even if you find that you are struggling to retain focus, you can always jump backwards and try again. In any case, throughout the journey you get a lot of interesting material and historical knowledge at the same time. Identifying, applying and benefitting from the direct knowledge might be the challenge until you get a full view of matters settled in your mind.

In the right hands this can be a very powerful, important book but it is probably not the best-suited for a generalist or casual reader. That said, sometimes you have to struggle to master something and that is not necessarily a bad thing as you keep the faith.

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[Ryan Barretto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for HR folks and OD consultants who are working in the space of Change Management.

I like the way in which the authors showcased how to blend AI principles into other large group intervention tools like World Cafe, Future Search and Open Space.

What helped drive home the lesson were the case studies which used different large scale intervention methods with AI embedded in the design.

I am going to frequently revisit this book.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for specific chapters that highlighted what appreciative inquiry is and how to use it. I was more interested in how to change my attitude/behavior and apply ai rather than introducing ai as an organization. I did not find the case studies helpful.