Stephanie West Allen, JD, practiced law in California for several years and now is an accomplished writer, speaker, blogger, thinker, teacher and consultant. Learn more about her and her work at: http://westallen.typepad.com/about.html. She joins me today in part one of a two-part interview exploring appreciative intelligence in the skeptical legal world.

Carol: What about appreciative intelligence – and its focus on what is positive in any given situation – has captured the attention of the legal profession?

Stephanie: Carol, I believe the interest is related to the fact that my profession is considered the most pessimistic and skeptical. The pessimism and skepticism serve lawyers well in several roles they have to play but those traits also can be destructive if they becomes a default way of life across all roles including the personal, such as with family and friends.

The interest also is likely related to lawyer eccentricities (using "eccentric" to mean away from or outside the center). In several assessments (some described here http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/2007/01/halfempty_glass.html ), lawyers are different from the general population (e.g, need for autonomy, competitiveness, extroversion). Those differences are perceived by others outside the profession; the judgments made about the differences are not always favorable. Plus these eccentricities are exaggerated in stereotypes and in cultural phenomena such as jokes and television shows. Being different has both its burdens and blessings, of course, and can be disquieting.

So we see that some lawyers are hurting -- feeling pain -- about their own negative nature or approach, or about the pessimistic professional culture or firm in which they work. (Please know that I am not saying there are no upbeat firms.) Some lawyers are unable to ignore the sting of the stereotypes and negative judgments about their profession. These hurting lawyers may see AI as an antidote or as a vehicle for hope and change.

Still others may see the wisdom in using AI as an additional professional tool. And some may see AI as an affirmation of the way they already view the world and are glad to have it expressed and recognized. There may be more of that latter group than we know. One clue I have for saying that: Julie Fleming Brown and I recently announced our Secret Society of Happy Lawyers; we have been both delighted and surprised at the interest in the Society. I know that AI and happiness are not necessarily the same but I do think those who are optimistic and positive may keep quiet. Optimism may be eccentricity within my profession.

The bottom line is that I believe there may be several reasons why lawyers are interested in appreciative intelligence.