David Cooperrider

David Cooperrider is one of the most influential modern authors in business and organizational development, with books and works that have had a lasting impact on how organizations are managed and workplaces are structured. His core theory, Appreciative Inquiry, is a unique, open-ended approach to creating change and solving problems.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, David Cooperrider grew up with a passion for both service and talent, leading him to pursue a degree in human and organizational development from Northwestern University. After graduating, he moved west to Stanford University, earning his doctorate in organizational behavior and becoming a professor. He took a special interest in a form of organizational redesign called Organizational Appreciation Enquiry (OAE).

At the heart of David Cooperrider’s work is the belief that the best solutions are based on positive strengths and attributes of an organization, not just its deficits. As such, he advocates for an “appreciative inquiry” (AI) approach to finding solutions. AI is a form of organizational development that looks to unlock potential by focusing the attention of a group on understanding the existing strengths and successes within their organization. It encourages organizations to ask questions that explore the stories that they tell themselves and their stakeholders, seeking out the best in people and creating a narrative that leads to change and progress.

In addition to AI, David Cooperrider has also developed a number of other powerful models and frameworks to improve organizational performance. These include large-scale change management initiatives, such as Strategic Appreciation and Synergy Model, values-based approaches to executive leadership, such as the 22 Valves of Robustness, and various frameworks for decision making and problem solving.

David Cooperrider has written a number of books on his theories and approaches, the most famous of which is Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change (1990). In the book, Cooperrider outlines the concept of AI and explains how it can be applied to organizations to unlock the best in their people while finding solutions to their problems. He emphasizes the importance of looking to the stories of success and strengths found within an organization to create a more meaningful vision and direction that everyone can agree on.

In his most recent book, David Cooperrider has continued to develop and refine his appeciative inquiry approach to organizational development as well as outlining his views on the 21st Century workplace and organizations. His book, Changing to Thrive: Using the Strenght-Based Approach to Transform Your Life, Work and Team (2016) is an inspiring and insightful look at how a strength-based approach can help individuals and organizations to move out of their comfort zone in order to achieve their full potential.

In short, David Cooperrider is an inspiring figure in organizational development and his research and writings have had a huge impact on how we think about organizations, their operations and their potential. Through theories such as Appreciative Inquiry he has highlighted the importance in organizations looking to the strengths and successes of their people and processes to find lasting solutions and improvement. This unique, open-ended approach to organizational development and performance management has been credited with radically transforming organizations around the world.