Team Development
Appreciative Inquiry is about building relationships and capacity in teams. AI allows team members to discover more about who they are and how they see the future. They thrive because the AI process also helps them connect across functional areas and see the larger picture. Full voice, community, rigorous inquiry, shared speculation, visualizing the future, articulation of things that matter, improvisation – these are the ingredients of AI that lead to high performing teams.
Collaborative Networks
Collaborative networks range from dyadic partnerships engaged in short term local projects, to worldwide constellations of organizations and citizens networked together to generate global social change. For example, inter-sectoral partnerships link government, business, non-governmental organizations, and communities in addressing areas of common concern. Businesses enter intra- and international joint ventures, alliances, networks, and other forms of collaboration in order to reap the benefits of mutual learning, exploration, development, and economic advantage. AI elicits and nurtures the development of shared purpose, principles, and relationships that are vital to the evolution of collaborative networks that thrive. Examples of AI applications include the birth of the United Religions Initiative (www.uri.org), an unprecedented grassroots, global interfaith organization, the development of a US-India biotech joint venture, and capacity building in Los Angeles County.
Dialogue
Dialogue is a relatively new approach to understanding, generating meaning, and solidifying organizational culture. AI proves to be a powerful method of dialogue because of its inquiry-driven design, which evokes high point stories and images of the future.
Partnerships and Alliances
Partnership and alliance relationships between individuals or organizations offer tremendous opportunities to expand financial resources, increase creativity, advance learning, and broaden the impact. AI can bring diverse people and organizations together to discover the “best of” partnering experiences. “Best” stories can engage hearts and minds in creating a shared vision, open up scores of possibilities, energize and ignite people in partnership or alliances with a desire to take action together.