Embracing the Shadow through Appreciative Inquiry

Editors: Stephen P. Fitzgerald and Christine Oliver

Cooperrider (1990) has observed that "creating the conditions for organization wide appreciation is the single most important measure that can be taken to ensure the conscious evolution of a valued and positive future."

Focus of the Issue:

In this issue of the AI Practitioner, we encourage and support a new, holistic, and complex approach to the conceptualisation and practice of appreciation in which our understanding of AI is deepened through exploring the potential of the provocative metaphor of the "shadow" in relation to appreciation and AI practice.

For consultants and managers working with AI, exploring links between AI and Shadow has brought dilemmas and complexities alive, thereby enabling liberating conversations to take place. We invite stories that illustrate these links. For example, stories where:

(1) AI is purposefully designed as an intervention into shadow, particularly when the result is transformational;
(2) AI inadvertently creates shadow (e.g. through the censoring impact of polarized norms), and how that dilemma is recognized and addressed,
(3) AI process is experienced itself as reflecting a cultural shadow of discomfort with difficult conversations.

We are keen to explore the implications of this conceptualization for practice in a variety of contexts, but also to diversify and enrich the conceptualization itself through learning from practice.

Barge, J. K., & Oliver, C. 2003. Working with appreciation in managerial practice. Academy of Management Review, 28(1): 124-143.

Cooperrider, D. L. 1990. Positive image, positive action: The affirmative basis of organizing. In S. Srivastva & D. L. Cooperrider (Eds.), Executive Appreciation and Leadership (pp. 91-125). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Fitzgerald, S. P., Oliver, C., & Hoxsey, J. (2010). Appreciative Inquiry as a Shadow Process. Journal of Management Inquiry, 19, 220-233.

Oliver, C., Fitzgerald, S. P., & Hoxsey, J. C. (2011, June). Critical appreciation of Appreciative Inquiry: Reflexive choices for shadow dancing. Review of Business Research, 11(2), 45-59.

Editors:

Stephen P. Fitzgerald, PhD, is an organizational psychologist, Associate Professor of Business Administration, and Faculty Lead in the Doctoral Management area at Trident University International. Steve has published extensively on AI and the Shadow, co-edited the 06 May issue of AIP, and worked with clients to inquiry appreciatively into the organizational shadow.

Christine Oliver is a Systemic Psychotherapist, Group Analyst and organisational consultant. She has contributed to the development of AI through extensive publication, including: Barge & Oliver (2003), Working with Appreciation in Managerial Practice, Fitzgerald et al (2010), AI as a Shadow Process and Oliver et al (2011) Critical Appreciation of Appreciative Inquiry.