Positive Perspectives: Integrating Appreciative Inquiry into Collaborative [Law] Practice
Author: Susan Belgard
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
United States
01/19/2008
Pages: 12
Annotation: This paper emphasizes the synergy between Appreciative Inquiry and Collaborative Law.
Because AI itself is a quintessentially collaborative process — having the goal of allowing every voice to be heard with equal strength and impact – the process is affirming and supportive, increasing the participants’ ability to communicate, share concerns and work together. By acknowledging and honoring each others’ values, it ultimately reinforces the paradigm shift necessary for a successful collaborative process. And because AI is infused with a recognition and appreciation of stories of success, strengths and values, and dreams of a satisfying and compelling future, the emotional and relational aspects of the process allow for the development of a nonjudgmental, supportive, benevolent, and compassionate environment. Developing an “appreciative eye” contributes an immense amount of power and effectiveness to the collaborative process.
Desiring to have application beyond the specific field of collaborative law, this article includes a helpful chart focusing on a set of suggested ways of being and thinking for each phase of AI (and the matching phase of the collaborative process)--i.e., what kind of container practitioners might create to support each phase.
Please feel free to contact Susan Belgard at susanbelgard@gmail.com with any questions, suggestions or comments.
Resource Files:
Paper (doc )
|
|
