Episode 235
What if solving a problem didn’t have to begin with what’s wrong? Klaudia Mitura and Aderonke Bademosi Wilson explore appreciative inquiry, an approach developed by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva that begins by identifying what’s already working and using those strengths and experiences to help shape what comes next.
Key takeaways:
- Ask what’s working: Appreciative inquiry shifts the starting point from blame and problems toward moments when things have gone well, creating a different foundation for change.
- Look backward to move forward: During a major career transition, Aderonke asked herself when she had been happiest professionally, an appreciative question that ultimately led her back to consulting.
- Positive questions can broaden possibilities: The episode connects the approach with Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory, which suggests that positive emotions can expand the range of ideas and actions we consider.
The Happiness Challenge Podcast offers weekly insights on the science of happiness.
