The Value of Appreciative Inquiry in Coaching
Posted on July 08, 2025 by Marc Kolman, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
AI encourages collective exploration of the best of what is, to imagine what could be, and espouses the co-creation of a compelling future
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) was developed by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva in the 1980s as a transformative approach to problem-solving. It is applied to both individuals and organizations, fostering inquiry that generates fresh ideas and expands thinking beyond existing limitations. AI operates on the belief that behavior is shaped by our perceptions, beliefs, and ability to envision new possibilities, which may sometimes be constrained by existing agreements and norms.
AI encourages collective exploration of the best of what is, to imagine what could be, and espouses the co-creation of a compelling future. When this approach is embraced, it reduces the need for external incentives, coercion, or persuasion, as the envisioned change becomes intrinsically motivating. Individuals, groups, and organizations can use AI to drive meaningful and sustainable behavioral shifts.
A core premise of AI is that the questions we ask shape the direction of change. Deficit-based questions, which focus on fixing problems, tend to reinforce those problems. In contrast, questions that highlight strengths, possibilities, and positive experiences tend to move thinking in a more positive direction.
Among AI’s five guiding principles, the Positive Principle emphasizes the role of hopeful and inspiring emotions—such as joy, excitement, camaraderie, and optimism—in fostering creativity, openness, and adaptability. When dialogue is framed with a focus on positive intent, individuals and groups naturally move toward that energy. In short, positive change is fueled by positive intent.
So why bring up AI now? My background in public health has exposed me to various behavior change models aimed at individuals and communities. Recently, I witnessed AI being used effectively to help a group establish personal commitments as they transitioned toward retirement. This reinforced my belief that AI’s mindset could be highly beneficial for other organizations with whom I work. By applying AI, we can support the growth of individuals within the organization and strengthen our collective vision for the future of the organization. If we are intentional about our direction, why not channel our focus toward hope, inspiration, camaraderie, and joy?
I trust that our collective positive intentions will make a difference. Enough said for now.
