Appreciative Inquiry as a Positive Approach to School's Leadership Development and Organizational Change

Abstract

The primary goal of this chapter is to examine the possibilities and effects of applying the principles of distributed leadership model and AI's approach positive stance into different educational contexts. Since there is a great need in Croatian school systems today to reform, the motivation for this case study is to point out that such reformation can occur from within: with a positive and collaborative inquiry that embraces shared leadership and taps into the answers that are already in the system. The presented case study shows AI approach as a shift of the focus away from problems, flaws, or weaknesses and toward the strengths of the group and their work, as identified by the involved participants themselves. The ultimate goal is to examine the powerful effects of AI to create change from within as well as to point out how the principles of distributed leadership contribute to the harmonious collaborative relationships, effective defining and implementing change and finding sustainable and creative solutions for efficient functioning of the modern and sustainable school.