Appreciative Inquiry

A Positive Revolution in Change

David L. Cooperrider, Diana Whitney. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (2005), ISBN 1576753565, Paperback (96 pages), $12.00

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This is a short and highly readable introduction to today’s hottest new change management approach, written by two award-winning pioneers in the field.  Full of exciting stories that illustrate AI’s many applications and benefits, Appreciative Inquiry – A Positive Revolution in Change is an accessible guide that offers a practical introduction to Appreciative Inquiry.  The stories illustrate how AI has significantly enhanced customer satisfaction, cost competitiveness, revenues, profits and employee engagement, as well as organizations’ abilities to meet the needs of society.

Table of Contents:

1. An Invitation to the Positive Revolution in Change
2. What is Appreciative Inquiry?
3. The Appreciative Inquiry 4-D Cycle
4. The 4-D Cycle in Action
5. Applying the 4-D Cycle
6. Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships
7. Principles for a Positive Revolution
8. Conditions for Success:  The Liberation of Power

In praise of Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change:

Expertly co-written by David L. Cooperrider (Professor and Chairman of the Department of Organizational Behavior at the Weatherhead School of Management) and Diana Whitney (President of Corporation for Positive Change), Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution In Change is an explorative introductory guide to a new and revolutionary method of change management. With an easy-to-use system, Appreciative Inquiry will assist its readers to encourage its readers to emphasize strengths to their employees as opposed to focusing solely on fixing weakness. Appreciative Inquiry is a well organized and "user-friendly" guide highly recommended reading, especially for corporate or business executives.

Midwest Book Review

There are many excellent books and websites on Appreciative Inquiry (AI). This small book is a needed contribution to the AI field. It is brief, concise, and easy to follow. It will be useful for introducing AI to new folks. Experienced practitioners will enjoy the crispness and ease of use. I found Ch 6 "Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships" very useful. The authors, who have many in-depth contributions to AI, have given us a great tool for sharing AI with many folk.

Patrick X. Crotty
Orchard Park, NY