Lesson 4 Overview

---

Over the next several lessons, you will learn about each phase in the 4-D Cycle of AI practice. During this lesson, you will learn more about the Discovery aspect of the model. Lesson 05 will cover the Dream phase, and Lesson 06 will focus on the Design phase. In Lesson 07, you will finish your exploration of 4-D with Destiny (Delivery).

To suggest that AI's energy potential can be contained in a mere model may upset some AI scholars, but the reality of today's workplace suggests that models help people simplify complexity and bridge the gap between academic intellectuality and day-to-day practice. Some AI acolytes might contend that using a model will weaken the inherent spontaneity of the approach. Therefore, practitioners should keep the design fluid. The 4-D Cycle has been used in numerous applications with great success and will be the model that you explore here. There are other versions of an AI model however, such as the Four-I Model of Mohr and Jacobsgaard.

• Initate: The inquiry begins.

• Inquire: Opinions and perspectives regarding what is going right are sought.

• Imagine: Themes are collected so that discussion can lead to new ideas about visions of the future that could leverage strengths.
• Innovate: Many members dialogue about ways to leverage strengths and achieve key visions (Rothwell & Sullivan, 2005, p. 53; Watkins & Mohr, 2001, p. 46).

Lesson Objectives

After successfully completing this lesson you should be able to

• define the main points of the discovery phase in the 4-D Cycle;
• realize the focus of an AI must begin with an affirmative question;
• recognize the importance of asking the appreciative question and how to craft one; and
• explain how the appreciative interview generates a positive energy.

Lesson Readings & Activities

By the end of this lesson, make sure you have completed the readings and activities found in the Lesson 4 Course Schedule.