The basis of Appreciative Inquiry is the premise of focusing on what’s right and using that knowledge to build on – or appreciate the value of – current successes. The paradox of success is that we too often forget to “appreciate” the lessons learned. Rather than building on success, we try to replicate it, and in doing so merely reinforce the status quo.

Focusing on past successes can lead to status quo thinking. “Here’s what worked. Let’s do it again.”

Just as focusing on weaknesses and threats will direct our focus in that direction, so can focusing on what worked yesterday.

My purpose in twisting the Dumas quote to read “success inhibits success” is to stress the need to break status quo thinking. Doing the same thing again and expecting a different result is foolhardy – even if the “same thing” working wonderfully well the last time.

All that said, I completely agree with your points about learning from our failures. We wouldn’t have the light bulb without Thomas Edison’s persistence in the face of thousands of failures. And we wouldn’t have Michael Jordan if he didn’t focus on his strengths to overcome the many failures through his career, starting with nay-sayers who told him he didn’t have the stuff.

So, yes, tomorrow’s challenge is different but not blinded but “binded” (ok, bound) to our success. If we learn from what we’re doing well, we can do more of it and put it into practice when we fail. As long as we’ve got both processes in perspective, we’ve got an edge.

Thanks for your thought provoking post!!