Appreciative Inquiry: A Transformative Approach for Initiating Shared Leadership and Organizational Learning

Auraria Library leaders at the University of Colorado Denver, USA employed Appreciative Inquiry (AI) principles, processes, and practices to inclusively redesign organizational structure, social relationships, knowledge systems, and workplace aspirations. Throughout the four year period, from 2008 through 2012, intervention activities employed life generating properties which were appreciative, applicable, provocative, and collaborative. Iterative application of the 4-Cycle intervention model (discovery, dream, design, and destiny) and associated AI principles advanced shared leadership and organizational learning capacities within a revitalized workplace culture. Iterative processes of reflection, reframing, and reinterpretation now sustain ongoing and inclusive inquiry that is appreciative, applicable, provocative, and collaborative.