Appreciative Living: The Principles of Appreciative Inquiry in Personal Life [Paperback]

Jacqueline Bascobert Kelm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Appreciative Living is the only comprehensive book on the principles of Appreciative Inquiry. It suggests we give up trying to fix ourselves, and focus instead on what works; where we excel; what makes us come alive. It explains the theory and practice of asking questions that empower and direct us towards the life we want, and of creating mental pictures of the future we desire. Part I presents the theoretical foundation for this new paradigm by diving deep into the latest consistent thinking and research in a clear, straight-forward manner. Part II focuses on practical applications, and presents a simple model and exercises for applying the principles in any situation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The clarity in Appreciative Living in telling us about the principles is unmatched and a great addition to AI literature.” --Jane Galloway Seiling, Consultant, and Author of "The Membership Organization"

“The style of this book is so clear and easy, the reader sails effortlessly to new ideas and insights." --Rita Demarco-Madden, Strategy Consultant, Professor, and President of Rotary Club Ashland

About the Author

Jackie Kelm holds a Master’s degree in business with a concentration in organization behavior. She was a manager in the Leadership and Organizational Change group for a large consulting firm, where she applied Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and other strength-based change approaches. In 1999 she began an earnest quest to use AI in her personal life, and wrote this book after several years of researching and practicing the principles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 213 pages
• Publisher: Venet Publishers (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977216101
• ISBN-13: 978-0977216109
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kelm makes it happen, February 17, 2006

By 

Madelyn Blair (Jefferson, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Appreciative Living: The Principles of Appreciative Inquiry in Personal Life (Paperback)

This book is remarkable. Appreciative inquiry (AI) appears simple until one scratches the surface to discover its remarkable depth and complexity. The challenge for any author trying to convey the concept of AI is to reveal the complexity of AI without losing its simple invitation. Ms. Kelm succeeds.

Once a person experiences AI, the theory makes sense. It's sort of like telling the story, then explaining the details. Each detail is almost obvious once you have seen the context presented through the story. For years, AI practitioners have dealt with AI's complexity by teaching through experiential exercises. So how can the writer of a book emulate the experience so that the details of AI become obvious to the reader who may never have heard of AI, let alone experienced it?

Ms. Kelm makes it happen. She does this beginning with the simple, clear and consistent organization of the book. Second are the remarkably apt quotations at the beginning of every section. They seem to have been written with the content of the section in mind even though many were written 100's of years before. Third, Ms. Kelm includes references from books as far flung as philosophy, psychology, and chaos theory. Moreover, the references appear naturally in a flowing text that is both easy to read and rich with content. Rarely have I underscored so many points in a book I am reading. Days after reading her book, I have already begun using the points in my work.

After presenting the concepts, Ms. Kelm puts it all together in a chapter called "Practicing the Principles." She says, "[We] do not have to cognitively understand the principles to live them. It is also possible to understand the theory and not live the principles." And then she invites you into her own life to see how AI can be lived - how habits can change. In her typical thorough fashion, she offers not one, two, or three exercises, but 10. Just in case one doesn't fit your style, you can move on to the next. Some of the most influential people in my life were and are still people who live appreciative lives. Ms. Kelm shows you how to live the appreciative life.

At the very end, true to her sense of good organization, Ms. Kelm summarizes the content of her book. What a treat for those of us who use our libraries as references as well as inspirations to our work.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Title Says It All, February 13, 2006

By 

Edward Jacobson (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Appreciative Living: The Principles of Appreciative Inquiry in Personal Life (Paperback)

This is the right book to read if you're interested in understanding the principles of Appreciative Inquiry and learning how to apply them to your "one wild and precious life" (to quote Mary Oliver). Jackie deeply understands the principles and meaning of AI, and has clearly communicated them to us in this practical yet elevating book. Her voice is accessible and friendly, her explanations of the principles crystalline in their clarity, and her exercises are just right. This book allows the reader to dip a toe into the AI waters and try it for themself, or to dive into the deep end and swim to their heart's content. If you're practically-minded, you'll love how the exercises are organized and cross-referenced; if you like theory, you'll love the concept chapters. The only drawback, so far as I can tell, is that I didn't write it myself. However, that saves me the effort that Jackie put into it, and I get to benefit from her work. I can't think of any area of my own life where her book has not touched. It's clearly a work of the heart, and a real, substantive contribution.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clarifying, April 22, 2006

By 

Jane E. Kirk - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Appreciative Living: The Principles of Appreciative Inquiry in Personal Life (Paperback)

I am not usually one to go for this type of read, but an acquaintance gave this to me and suggested I give it a try. I must say it took me by surprise. It connects with a deeper truth that I think lives within us but doesn't get much attention in todays hectic life. I found the material to be well structured and the examples to be quite thought provoking. As a parent of two young kids, I found it helpful preparation for the difficult questions and developmental challenges ahead. The example of "passing the homeless man with my son" is sure to remain with you. Be sure not to skip the workbook section in the back. If you really do the exercises, you will find yourself re-reading sections to help think through the scenarios she presents. My only critique is that she could have covered a broader range of situations. Maybe there will be a second book...