The Appreciative Inquiry technique

David Cooperrider developed the Appreciative Inquiry. 

This method focuses on what is positive. 

Concentrating on positive aspects rather than areas for development supports the creation of new opportunities and helps to focus on the future. 

When to use: 

• The Appreciative Inquiry technique is suitable when mentees lack self-confidence or belief in themselves. 

Materials: 

• None are required. 

Instructions: 

The Appreciative Inquiry technique consists of 5 steps. 

Step 1 - Define  

In the conversation with the mentee, discuss the most important topic/topics from the mentee's perspective at the given moment (situation, context). 

Encourage the mentee to decide on the topic they want to focus on. 

Step 2 - Discover  

Through questions, encourage the client to identify their strengths, abilities, and sources of energy and motivation. 

Example questions: 

• Tell me about your last success. What allowed you to achieve success? What are you proud of?  
• Which activities and tasks give you energy? In what tasks do you achieve a state of flow?  
• What makes you define a specific event as a positive experience? 

Step 3 - Dream  

Help the mentee create a vision (dream) of what could happen. 

Example questions: 

• Imagine the ideal solution to a given situation - how would you like it to look?  
• What is it like? Who is with you? How do you feel? What are you doing?  
• Imagine that some time has passed - how would your situation look if everything went according to plan?  

Step 4 - Design  

Together with the mentee, build a scenario/scenarios consistent with the mentee's resources and dreams. 

Example questions: 

• Think of 3 things that will help you achieve your dream goal - share them.  
• What would you like to change, and what changes would you like to make for your ideal scenario to be realized?  
• What could be effective in achieving the goal?  

Step 5 - Destination  

At this stage, encourage the mentee to turn their ideas into practical actions as quickly as possible. 

Example questions: 

• What do you want to do?  
• When do you plan to do it?  
• How do you plan to do it?  
• Who can/do you want to do it with?