About the Author xii Forewordxiii Prefacexv Acknowledgementsxvii Part One: Background and Practice Theory 1 1 What Is Appreciative Inquiry? 3 What Are the Origins of Appreciative Inquiry? 4 How Is Appreciative Inquiry Different to Other Change Methodologies? 5 How Does Appreciative Inquiry Engage with Organisational Problems? 7 What Is Dialogic Organisational Development? 8 How Can We Ensure That Our Appreciative Inquiry Practice with Organisations Is Evidence- Based? 11 Critiquing Appreciative Inquiry 12 Conclusion 14 Learning Points 14 Discussion Questions 15 Teaching Practice 15 Resources and Further Reading 15 Notes 16 References 16 2 The Appreciative Inquiry Summit 18 Introducing the 5D Model of Appreciative Inquiry 18 The Principles of Appreciative Inquiry 24 Narrative, Stories and Sensemaking in Appreciative Inquiry 26 Research that Supports Appreciative Inquiry as a Practice 30 The Effectiveness of Appreciative Inquiry in Transformational Change 30 Conclusion 31 Learning Points 31 Discussion Questions 31 Teaching Exercises 32 Helpful Resources and Further Reading 32 Notes 33 References 33 3 Preparing, Delivering and Following- up an Event 34 Contraindications for an Appreciative Inquiry Event 34 Common Myths Attached to Appreciative Inquiry 36 Preparing for an Appreciative Inquiry Event 38 Delivering the Event 40 The Quality of Conversation 41 The Quality of the Questions 44 The Volunteer Principle in Appreciative Inquiry 45 After the Event 46 Conclusion 46 Learning Points 47 Discussion Questions 47 Teaching Exercise 47 Further Reading and Resources 47 References 48 4 Creating the Appreciative Inquiry Commission, Psychological Safety and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 49 Developing an Appreciative Inquiry Commission 50 Frequently Encountered Pushbacks Against Adopting an Appreciative Inquiry Approach 55 Practice Design Principles 55 Ethical Practice 57 How Appreciative Practice Can Support Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 58 Case Studies Using Appreciative Inquiry to Enhance Diversity, Equality and Inclusion 62 Conclusion 63 Learning Points 64 Discussion Questions 64 Teaching Exercises 64 Helpful Resources 64 Notes 65 References 66 Part Two: Applications 67 5 Appreciative Inquiry for Flourishing Organisations, SOAR and I- IPOD 69 Appreciative Practice and the Flourishing Organisation 69 Strengths and the Organisational Power Zone 73 The SOAR Model of Strategy Development 74 Case Study: Using SOAR to Return to the Power Zone 75 Case- Study: A Community System I- IPOD Appreciative Intervention 80 Conclusion 82 Learning Points 82 Discussion Questions 83 Teaching Exercise 83 Helpful Resources and Further Reading 83 Notes 84 References 84 6 Appreciative Leadership 86 Leadership Actions That Can Undermine an Appreciative Inquiry Event 87 The Leadership Mindset Required for Appreciative Inquiry 88 Leadership Conversations that Include or Exclude 89 Leading Through Uncertainty 93 Case Study: Appreciative Leadership in Action 93 Conclusion 96 Learning Points 97 Discussion Questions 97 Teaching Exercise 97 Further Resources 97 Notes 98 References 98 7 Building Resilience for People and Organisations 99 Appreciative Inquiry and Organisational Resilience 100 Appreciative Inquiry and Personal Resilience 102 The Resilience Boosting Effects of Strengths 104 Case Study: A Positive Approach to Difficult Issues 105 Case Study: Bringing Appreciative Inquiry to the Disruption of Organisational Change 109 Conclusion 111 Learning Points 112 Discussion Questions 112 Teaching Exercise 112 Helpful Resources 112 Notes 113 References 113 8 Engaging with the Particular Challenges of Project Management 115 The Psychology of Project- Craft 115 Taking an Appreciative Approach to Team Member Diversity 118 Applying Appreciative Inquiry to Project Management 120 Case Study: A Project Team- Based Large- System Change 121 Conclusion 126 Learning Points 126 Discussion Questions 126 Teaching Exercise 127 Further Resources 127 Notes 127 References 127 9 Boosting Innovation and Creativity 128 Understanding Innovation and Creativity as Generativity 128 How the Appreciative Inquiry Process Generates Ideas and Energy 129 Working Generatively with Discovery Stories 131 Inquiring into Creativity 133 The Relationship Between Appreciative Inquiry and Improvisational Theatre 135 Case Study: An Organisation Adapting to Market Changes 135 Case Study: Creativity for Business Growth 136 Conclusion 137 Learning Points 137 Discussion Questions 137 Teaching Exercises 138 Helpful Resources 138 Notes 138 References 139 10 Challenging the Silo Mentality 140 Why the Siloed Organisation Is Popular and How It Becomes Dysfunctional 141 The Nature of Organisational Energy 143 What Does Appreciative Inquiry Bring to the Challenge? 144 Case Study: A Merged Organisation 145 Conclusion 153 Learning Points 154 Discussion Questions and Practical Exercise 154 Teaching Exercises 154 Helpful Resources On and Offline 154 Notes 155 References 155 11 Motivating Performance with PRISMM Coaching 156 The Importance of a Performance Culture 157 Appreciative PRISMM Coaching 159 Case Study: An Inquiry into Creating a Great Performance Management Culture 162 Conclusion 172 Learning Points 172 Discussion Questions 173 Teaching Exercise 173 Helpful Resources 173 Notes 174 References 174 12 Releasing the Synergy of Teams 175 What Is a Team? 176 What Makes a Successful Team? 176 Creating Team Positivity 177 When Teams Get Stuck 178 Case Study: Working with a Stuck Team 179 Conclusion 186 Learning Points 186 Discussion Questions 187 Teaching Exercises 187 Helpful Resources 187 Note 187 Reference 188 13 Virtual, Remote and Hybrid Working 189 Some of the Challenges of Remote Working for the Individual 190 Applying Appreciative Inquiry to the Challenges of Remote Working 190 Hosting an Appreciative Inquiry Online 196 Effects of Remote Working on the Workplace 197 Hybrid Working 198 Case Study of Hybrid Working Challenges 200 Conclusion 203 Learning Points 203 Discussion Questions 204 Teaching Exercise 204 Helpful Resources and Further Reading 204 Notes 204 References 205 14 Reviewing and Evaluating Practice 206 Why Evaluate Activity? 207 Meaningless Measurement Points and the Reflective Ritual Review 208 Appreciative- Informed Evaluation of Leadership or Management 208 Appreciative Process for Management Performance Assessment 209 Case Study: Introducing Appreciative Peer Reviews to a Regional Health Team 211 Conclusion 218 Learning Points 218 Discussion Questions 219 Teaching Exercise 219 Helpful Resources and Further Reading 219 Notes 219 References 220 15 Supporting Planned Change Processes 221 The Challenges of Wholesale Large- Scale Planned Change 222 Appreciative Inquiry and the Generation of Hope 222 Some General Principles for Bringing Appreciative Inquiry to Planned Change 224 The Blended Approach Is Best 227 Case Study: From Push to Pull 229 Case Study: Impact of a Two- Hour Workshop on Change Practice 231 Conclusion 232 Learning Points 233 Discussion Questions 233 Teaching Exercise 233 Helpful Resources and Further Reading 233 Notes 234 References 234 16 Health and Well- being at Work 236 People at Work 237 How Organisational Cultures Can Become Toxic 239 The Importance of Relationships and Emotional States 240 System- level Health and Well- being Intervention 241 Psychological Safety in Teams 243 Case Study: Working with Respect 245 Conclusion 249 Learning Points 249 Discussion Questions 249 Teaching Exercise 250 Helpful Resources and Further Reading 250 Notes 250 References 250 Index 253

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