Using Appreciative Inquiry-Based Coaching for Conflict Resolution

By Dave Zietlow, Leadership coach at DPZietlow & Associates, a Passion in Partnership Coach The appreciative inquiry model provides a different perspective and prescription for resolving conflicts within a church. In the midst of conflict, we can chose to focus on:

• our differences in opinion or on our common bond as a faith community;
• our feeling of scarcity or on God’s abundance of resources;
• barriers between each other or on the possibilities of working together

Appreciative inquiry builds relationships by enabling people to be known in relationship rather than roles and opinions. The effective application of appreciative inquiry creates an opportunity for all people to be heard in their story, not solely as a fierce advocate of a position. AI generates an opportunity for people to dream and share their dreams together as a people of faith. Appreciative Inquiry coaching applied in a conflict situation seeks to use each person’s gifts to create an environment in which people are able to choose how they contribute to the community and resolution of the situation in a positive manner. Leaders and members of the community are given the discretion and the support to act to move forward. Significantly appreciative inquiry encourages and enables people to be positive. The appreciative inquiry process:

• Seek an affirmative topic
• Discover “What gives life?” Appreciating what is!
• Dream “What might be?” Envisioning Results!
• Design “What could be?” Co-creating the future!
• Deliver “How do we empower, learn, and adjust?” Sustain!

Resources:

• The Power of Appreciative Inquiry, Diana Whitney
• Memories, Hopes, and Conversations, Mark Branson
• Passion in Partnership
• DPZietlow & Associates or http://www.dpzleadership.com