Cape Town street light decorations
Alan Knott Craig, MD of iburst sent out an email in 2008
encouraging and motivating his staff to turn South Africa into a country of opportunities rather than running away. The email became viral and was circulated all over South Africa, with South African’s responding and supporting the idea of creating a positive message.We are now in the next decade of the 21st Century and have evolved from a once restricted and docile country to a place that is welcoming the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We are busy rebranding our country, creating an awareness of our diversity and unique culture through the medium of Soccer. Our country has developed and changed and we can be witnesses to these events as our roads are being re-vamped, buildings being demolished in order to accommodate for new developments, and major renovations to our public transport system and airports. Businesses are booming as tourists flock in – creating employment, networks and opportunities. This truly is an accomplishment for a country that is considered as a developing country.
My feeling is that we are on the verge of a new adventure and need to go with the ride in order to make the most of it. In psychology, we talk about Appreciative Inquiry (AI) which means realizing our strengths and focusing on what is working rather than what is not.
David Cooperrider and Diana Whitney define AI as: “The cooperative search for the best in people, their organizations and the world around them. It involves systematic discovery of what gives a system ‘life’ when it is most effective and capable in economic, ecological and human terms. AI involves the art and practice of asking questions that strengthen a system’s capacity to heighten positive potential. It mobilizes inquiry through crafting an ‘unconditional positive question’ often involving hundreds or sometimes thousands of people.”
The concept of appreciative inquiry overlaps a lot with positive psychology in that AI looks at what is working and how do we continue utilizing our strengths. Regarding positive psychology, it focuses on the idea of positivity, the enhancement of happiness and promoting optimal well being. Thus with the combination of these two we are able to learn and develop firstly our thoughts, beliefs and attitudes and then as a nation try to promote optimal well being. By focusing on what is working, creates a sense of hope and encouragement which allows for exploring possibilities. Furthermore, it allows us to overcome cultural barriers, learn about people and move forward. So let us embrace this and develop from it in a way that will bear great fruits for us, our country and our future!
