[Ailist] How does it work?

[Bruce Elkin]

> Thanks to Hank for his comments and too Lionel's response.  It took me a bit
> to consider where my conflict was in the terms good and bad.  As an
> appreciative approach I would anticipate neither a good or bad delineation,
> but simply viewing what is, and allowing for dialogue on what occurred to
> achieve our results.  The terms good and bad inject value which biases the
> perception of the event and as a result, potentially alter the outcome.
> In our experience, situation that others thought were "bad," are often used
> as a catalyst for creating outstanding results.  This occurred because we
> were seeking optimal outcomes at all times.  We tended to get what we were
> looking for.  As I view it, appreciating requires the suspension of judgment
> in order to collect all that is, allowing time and attention for the best to
> be revealed.  Thoughts are appreciated.
> 
> John K Kriger


I think John¹s hit it on the nail here.  It¹s not a point of merely
re-framing problems into opportunities, even appreciatively.
It is important to acknowledge reality as-it-is.  Neither good nor bad, but
just as objectively, accurately and emotionally neutrally as we can.

In most design/creating approaches, an intentional ³creative tension² is set
up between desired results and the current state of those results.  In the
approach I use (based on Robert Fritz¹s ³structural tension² model, it looks
like this.

Vision of desired results
^
^    Action toward results
^
Current state of results

If part of that current state is the creator¹s fear, than that is
acknowledged objectively in current reality.  It is not seen as a ³problem²
but rather as one aspect of reality.  By looking at it objectively, you can
determine if the fear is legitimate or merely made up.  The current reality
can be restated more clearly, objectively, and with less (or no) emotional
charge.

One thing that has always seemed to be missing or unclear to me in the AI
approaches is how do you deal with reality, especially distorted reality?

I think most try to slip by it by focusing strongly on desire outcomes.  But
at some point, you always have to account for current reality both
objectively, and, if it is distorted, see that and change your perception so
that your reality is not distorted.  That give you a solid platform on which
to start taking actions that support your desire result.

I work with many people who have tried many approaches, including
appreciative ones, who are unable to create the results they want.  The
sticking point is almost always a distorted view of current reality
(including the fact of that distortion).  When they learn ways to make their
perception of reality ³optimistically realistic² (as Martin Seligman might
say), they find they are able to create desired results much more easily ‹
and in a way that lasts.

Enjoying this discussion, as always.

Cheers!
Bruce
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