Think of a time when you, your students, or your organization performed the best.

What made it so good?
What did you bring to the experience?
What did others bring?
What policies and practices were in place that supported the experience?

These questions begin a methodology that taps into the positive core already existing in individuals and organizations. Appreciative Inquiry was first developed at Case Western
Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management in the seventies.  It is proving to be effective for developing sustainable futures through these five phases:  1) Define -"Identify
your focus;"  2) Discover -"Appreciate what is;"  3) Dream -"Imagine what might be;" 
4) Design -"Determine what should be;"  5) Deliver -"Create what will be" 

Appreciative Inquiry is an asset-based approach based on the assumption that whatever you
want more of already exists in the organization.  It's a process that it identifies the best of the past and extends it into future possibilities. It's been used as a basis for leadership strategy
and change agendas.

Appreciative Inquiry Readings