NEW MANAGEMENT TOPIC: Appreciative Inquiry

Published on Tue, 05/25/2010

Written by David Cooperrider and Brenda Zimmerman, the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) topic is about focusing on what is working within an organization, in order to build from strengths that already exist.

AI is an alternative to the problem solving approach that dominates most organizations today. The famous management writer, Peter Drucker, argued that the task of leadership is to create an alignment of strengths, thus making weaknesses irrelevant. Problem solving can lead to the unintended consequences of ignoring strengths, because they are rarely the focus of analysis. This topic guides the process of revealing the positive core within your organization, thus learning what works, why it works and how to value and build upon the good that already exists.

David Cooperrider is the Fairmount Minerals Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and founder and director of the school’s Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. He has served as advisor to a variety of organizations, most projects inspired by his Appreciative Inquiry method. David has published 14 books and authored over 50 articles.
Website: http://weatherhead.case.edu/research/faculty/profile.cfm?idDM=318910

Brenda Zimmerman is a professor of Strategic Management at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, Canada. She is the founder and Director of the Health Industry Management Program. Her primary research applies complexity science to management and leadership issues in organizations
Website: http://www.schulich.yorku.ca/SSB-Extra/Faculty.nsf/faculty/Zimmerman+Brenda

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