On my blog ‘IN4D’ I will be sharing and documenting my journey of discovery in applying an appreciative approach on change. The destination of this journey is still unknown: I don’t know where this journey will take me, where I’ll end up or what I’ll end up doing in the future. What I do know, is that there will be some unexpected turns. It will be exciting and inspiring. I will meet equally inspiring people, sharing their stories with me. I will learn about their strengths and by doing so, I will learn about my own.
‘IN4D’ refers to taking a different perspective (4D as opposed to 3D). In this case, taking a different perspective on change: a positive perspective. This as opposed to a deficit based perspective.
A deficit based perspective views change as a problem to be solved, by studying and analysing the problem ( what is wrong). Based on the outcome of this analysis, measurements are defined to solve the problem (correct the wrong).
By applying an appreciative perspective the focus is shifted towards discovering the root causes of the success, strengths and patterns of success that are already present in the organisation: ‘A shift from trying to solve the problems of the past to anticipating and focusing on the future’ (Whitney & Trosten-Bloom, 2010, P. 95). This appreciative perspective or approach, called Appreciative Inquiry, is briefly explained in ‘What is AI?’.
‘IN4D’ refers as well to the process through which Appreciative Inquiry is applied: the 4D cycle. The 4D cycle exists of the four phases Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny. These phases are also briefly explained in ‘What is AI?’.
IN4D 