The ECs came together to confirm what they knew and inquired with each other. It is important to note that the overall approach to this research was integral in nature. Cacioppe and Edwards (2005) presented an integral definition from the work of Ken Wilber who stated, “Integral theory is an over-arching model of human and social development that attempts to incorporate as many approaches to development as possible into its explanatory framework” (p. 88). Cacioppe and Edwards further quoted Wilber as observing, “Integral theory recognises the pivotal role that situational dynamics play in the developmental process” (p. 3). This said to me that the complexity of all elements in the lives of the EC needed to be considered. While the framework for this project was integral in nature, the root approach to questioning and dialogue with ECs followed an appreciative inquiry process. This meant that I focussed the research questions to always come from a positive place in a person’s life, not negative. The basis of this approach helped the ECs find the best in people, communities, and the organizations in which they work. Support for this qualitative method was found in Palys (2003), who described that appreciative inquiry “can be a useful way to gather data about the pervasiveness and distribution of particular experiences” (p. 198). By sharing positive examples, the group began to understand the size and relevance of shared issues and possible shared responses to these issues.

The dimensions of appreciative inquiry clearly illustrated the benefits to participants and followed a softer, less invasive and positive approach that suited the participants and myself. Cooperrider et al. (2001) demonstrated the dimension model of appreciative inquiry, which can result in the participants seeing and discussing the best of what is, the ideal of what might be, consent on what should be, and together they may experience what can be (p. 89). The complexity of the players in the system drove the need for a systemic impact for which appreciative inquiry was designed. Cooperrider et al. summarized the appropriateness of appreciative inquiry to this project: “Appreciative inquire represents a viable complement to conventional forms of action-research, one uniquely suited for social innovation instead of problem solving” (p. 94).