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More Info About
This Book
Foreword
Prologue
Reader's Comments
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 Appreciative
Inquiry: A Positive Approach to Building Cooperative
Capacity
by Frank J. Barrett and Ronald E. Fry
(Taos Institute Publications, December 2005, $19.95)
The purpose of this book is to provide a concise
introduction to and overview of the growing discipline
and practice of Appreciative Inquiry (AI). While
the literature on AI is expanding rapidly with
texts, handbooks, and case studies, the authors,
Drs. Barrett and Fry feel there is a strong call
for a "quick read" that will assist
curious change agents or leaders in determining
if they are interested in learning more about
this rapidly expanding field of theory and practice.
If you are intrigued by the prospect of mobilizing
rapid, positive change with multiple stakeholders
in a human system that is important to you, this
book is for you.
The AI approach is a way of being...as a leader,
a parent, a colleague, a partner, a change agent,
a team leader, a project manager, a teacher, employer
or employee. It is an exciting and energizing
way to approach individual, team, organization,
community, and global renewal and transformation.
The authors have written this book just as they
talk and they share experiences from their work
with AI, as if you were in their workshops, seminars
or systems where they have been privileged to
practice this compelling approach to change. Frank
and Ron are passionate and principled about this
approach to organizational development and transformation
and wish for those of you who are truly curious
to have this as a first source to refer to in
your discovery and learning journey.
$19.95 plus shipping and handling
Paperback, 128 pages, ISBN: 0-7880-2163-X
13-digit: 979-0-7880-2163-2
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»»Readers'
Comments:
"Based on almost twenty years of field research in
organizations like the United States Navy, Roadway Express
and Nokia as well as years of scholarly commitment to
social constructionist approaches to human science inquiry,
the authors of this book finally put into print a pragmatic,
inspiring, and simple account of an approach to strengh-based
change that has elevated the capacity of thousands of
businesses, change leaders, and teams to realize their
enormous potentials. It's the kind of focus book that
people will want to hand out at the front end of a major
organization-wide change initiative. And it is a perfect
companion piece for workshops, foundation courses on
AI, and leadership programs.
This is a Taos Institute Focus Book that is both substantive
and accessible in a 'how to' way with its stories from
the field, practical tips, and its challenges to long-accepted
myths about change. In my view, this is a special volume
that will at once captivate, guide and reassure, and
enlighten, as it dramatically transforms the way you
lead change in your organizations, your family or community,
and your future."
-- David Cooperrider
Chair and Professor, Weatherhead School of Management
Case Western Reserve University
(taken from the Foreword of AI: A Positive Approach
to Building Cooperative Capacity)
"Barrett and Fry have written an enlightening (and
important) book about an important topic. As they have
outlined in this book, we have used this model at the
EPA with two major summits, dozens of retreats, planning
efforts, and streamlining efforts. Our research and
development community has been able to create breakthroughs
in collaboration. If managers and executives take this
book seriously, I think they will be surprised by the
discoveries, the creative outcomes, the hope it will
generate for future generations."
-- Mary McCarthy-O'Reilly
Organization Develpment Manager
Office of Research and Development
US Environmental Protection Agency
"In today's business environment, there is a rist of
the negative experience overtaking our judgement. Those
organizations that fall to the temptation are rarely
capable of igniting any lasting impact. Inviting the
whole system to participate and build on our strenghts
and positive successes stands a high chance of pushing
the organization into the realm of greatness. The Appreciative
Inquiry approach described here by Barrett and Fry is
one of the most powerful approaches I have found that
can build a shared organizational strategy and capacity
for effective change."
-- Lars Gustavsson
World Vision International
Vice President Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs
"This book by Barrett and Fry is an excellent introduction
to Appreciative Inquiry. The Appreciative Inquiry process
that Barrett and Fry facilitated was the spring-board
for successfully launching the Navy's Information Professional
Community."
-- Vice Admiral Richard Mayo, US Navy
(ret)
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