Appreciative Inquiry in Action: A Higher Education Success Story
By Ann Harrell – Senior Consultant
In our previous posts, we introduced Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and explored the transformative 5D Cycle—a roadmap for driving sustainable, strengths-based change. Today, let’s bring AI to life with a compelling real-world example from higher education.
This success story highlights how AI reshaped organizational culture and engagement, proving the power of focusing on strengths to create meaningful transformation.
Case Study: Igniting Engagement and Innovation in Higher Education
THE CHALLENGE
A higher education institution faced mounting challenges:
Low engagement among faculty and staff.
A need for stronger alignment with strategic goals.
A desire for a culture that fostered creativity and collaboration.
THE SOLUTION? APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY.
The Process: AI’s 5D Cycle in Action
#1: Define
Stakeholders clarified their central question:
How can we enhance engagement and build a culture of innovation?
#2: Discover
Through storytelling and dialogue, participants unearthed moments of success, revealing core strengths like adaptability, collaboration, and a commitment to student success.
#3: Dream
The team envisioned a future where creativity, empowerment, and interdisciplinary collaboration flourished. This aspirational vision served as a guiding star.
#4: Design
Concrete initiatives were crafted, including:
A 5-year strategic plan aligned with shared values.
Business process redesigns to streamline operations.
Collaboration spaces to spark interdisciplinary innovation.
#5: Deliver
With initiatives rolling out, the institution experienced:
Higher engagement among faculty and staff.
A renewed sense of shared purpose.
Tangible progress toward a culture of innovation.
Why This Matters
This case study underscores the transformative power of Appreciative Inquiry—not just to solve problems but to create a lasting foundation for growth and collaboration. By focusing on what works and envisioning possibilities, the institution inspired a ripple effect of positive change that continues to evolve.
Ready to Bring AI to Your Organization?
In our next post, we’ll share strategies for engaging stakeholders using Appreciative Inquiry, showing how this approach builds inclusive, impactful change processes.
Want to explore how AI can transform your organization? EnSpark Consulting is here to guide you. Let’s start with a no-pressure, exploratory conversation.
About the author:
Ann M. Harrell leverages her extensive expertise in coaching, facilitation, and mediation to drive transformative change within organizations. Through a blend of strategic insight and empathetic engagement, Ann works closely with EnSpark clients to enhance collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution, laying the groundwork for sustained growth and adaptability in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Ann’s work not only aims to improve immediate team dynamics, but also to instill long-term strategies for success, making her an invaluable asset to any organization seeking to elevate performance and achieve its vision.