La Indagación Apreciativa como una oportunidad de mejora para Link Gerencial Consultores

Carmen Rosa Arzola; María Helena Alfonzo Ochoa; Blas Atencio

doi:10.58479/almanaque.2025.10

Authors

Carmen Rosa Arzola Universidad Metropolitana de Caracas (Venezuela)
María Helena Alfonzo Ochoa Universidad Metropolitana de Caracas (Venezuela)
Blas Atencio Universidad Metropolitana de Caracas (Venezuela)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58479/almanaque.2025.10

Keywords:

positive psychology, positive organizational psychology, appreciative inquiry, Link Gerencial Consultores

Abstract

This research was carried out under the modality of a feasible project. It consisted of the intervention with the Appreciative Inquiry (A.I.) methodology in Link Gerencial Consultores, a consulting and training company that seeks to enhance the competitiveness of its clients through the design of innovative proposals tailored to excellence. As a service, they considered it essential to train their members in activities that promote well-being, self-knowledge and teamwork. The investigation had as General Objective: To implement the Appreciative Inquiry model in Link Gerencial Consultores (Venezuela headquarters) as a strategy for the construction of a vision of the business future based on its personal and group strengths. The intervention counted with the participation of 18 members; executing the five phases that make up the model of the AI, and fulfilling the specific objectives designed for each stage: 1) "Define": in which the successful narratives of the organization were identified through appreciative dialogues. 2) "Discover": where the strengths and positive individual and group aspects that make up Link's Positive Core could be appreciated. 3) "Dream": in which the aspirations and desires of the participants with respect to the future of the company were contrasted. 4) "Design": where the participants built a detailed action plan to achieve the Dream. 5) "Destination": Detecting the progress achieved according to the proposal in the Design phase. The results of the intervention were positive, it was possible to implement the model, increase the level of self-knowledge of the members, and promote integration among the different work teams.

Key words: Positive Psychology, Positive Organizational Psychology, Appreciative Inquiry.

Author Biographies

Carmen Rosa Arzola, Universidad Metropolitana de Caracas (Venezuela)

Graduate psychologist from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV). Specialist in Organizational Development from the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB). Trained as a Group Dynamics Instructor at the Center for Social Development Research (CIEDIS). Certified as a Business Coach by Newfield Consulting. I have worked as a psychotherapist in private practice for more than twenty years and as a freelance consultant in organizational human processes. Undergraduate instructor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at the Metropolitan University (UNIMET) and faculty member in the Diploma in Positive Psychology: Foundations for Well-Being (CENDECO–UNIMET). I also served as a volunteer psychologist in the “Extended Youth” Program, coordinated by the Department of Social Welfare of the Chacao Municipality Mayor’s Office in Caracas. I am an active member of the Venezuelan Society of Positive Psychology (SOVEPPOS), have participated as a speaker in various national and international conferences, and am co-author of a chapter in two SOVEPPOS-edited books: Psychology in Action: Starting with What Is Right (2016) and The Daily Practice of Resilience (2018).

María Helena Alfonzo Ochoa, Universidad Metropolitana de Caracas (Venezuela)

Skilled project management and gamification specialist with over 10 years of experience delivering innovative training solutions across industries, including banking, telecommunications, iGaming, insurance, and medical fields. I have successfully led cross-functional teams in creating engaging, gamified learning experiences that enhance performance and streamline operations. My expertise in managing complex projects from concept to execution, combined with a strong foundation in educational psychology, enables me to optimize processes and drive impactful results. Fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese, with a solid understanding of medical and dental terminology, I am committed to applying my skills to support efficiency and improve outcomes within any business sector. Winner of the 2nd place at the 8th Caracas Startup Weekend in UNIMET with: "MetacogniKIDS: a place where you can learn to think by playing"