Appreciative Leadership

Appreciative Leadership: Focus on What Works to Drive Winning Performance and Build a Thriving Organization

Diana Whitney, Amanda Trosten-Bloom, Kae Rader. McGraw-Hill (2010), ISBN 0071714065, Hardcover, $29.95.

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The practice of leadership is on the brink of a paradigm shift. It is moving from authoritarian to collaborative practices, from fear- based to strengths- based relationships, and from talking at people to dialoguing with them. A transformation is taking place in the field of organizational management and Appreciative Leadership is the vanguard book, providing clear concepts and practical tools.

Drawing from years of expertise and research, the authors have made tremendous strides in developing the 5 strategies that turn potential into positive power for extraordinary performance:

• Inquiry: Asking positively powerful questions. How managers ask questions matter—setting the agenda for dialogue and learning in their teams, organizations. Turn problems into positive questions, rather than ask “How can we reduce turnover” the question should be “How can we improve upon retention.”
• Illumination: Bringing out the best of people is potent positive power—shining on people’s strengths creates momentum and paves paths for ongoing performance (see sample chapter).
• Inclusion: An organizational imperative to include voices previously not included in the conversation. High performance and innovation depends on inviting multiple voices and opinions.
• Inspiration: Hope and inspiration is essential for positive performance, showing tools and techniques to help organizations tell and live a new story, one that inspires pride and commitment among all levels of the organization.
• Integrity: This trump card goes beyond truth and honesty—you can harness the positive power by being in service to the whole and a steward of the best interest of the whole.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Appreciative Leadership Now
• From Potential to Positive Power: The Five Core Strategies
• The Wisdom of Inquiry: Leading with Positively Powerful Questions
• The Art of Illumination: Bringing Out the Best of People and Situations
• The Genius of Inclusion: Engaging with people to Co-Create the Future
• The Courage of Inspiration; Awakening the Creative Spirit
• The Path of Integrity: Making Choices for the Good of the Whole
• Making a Difference with Appreciative Leadership
• Conclusion

In praise of Appreciative Leadership:

This book tells the stories of Appreciative Leadership stars who share their values, techniques and positive personal and organizational outcomes. Leaders in the social, environmental and corporate responsibility space will be inspired by the clear connections among interpersonal style, organizational results and the public good. But –more than that, this book shows how to exercise principled leadership from any role in any organization, challenging each of us to be a force for positive and sustainable change.

Barton Alexander
VP, Global Alcohol Policy and Corporate Responsibility
Molson Coors Brewing Company

An Olympic-caliber team needs a thriving, vibrant sub-culture of coaches, professional staff and dedicated volunteers who know how to win. Appreciative Leadership is already part of our DNA – and this book will help us to get even better.

Chuck Wielgus
Executive Director, USA Swimming

Appreciative Leadership is wholly consistent with the new science of positive emotions. Learning to cultivate positivity in ourselves and others unlocks a powerful new approach to leadership that will transform lives and organizations from the inside out.

Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph.D.
Author of Positivity
Kenan Distinguished Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

If ever human communities needed positive, appreciative leadership, now is the time. And the authors give both voice and direction to our deep yearning to embody and experience leadership that truly mirrors our collective aspirations for a life-enhancing future. The stories and guidance offered in this book vividly, persuasively illustrate the authors’ unequivocal belief that having the world we want begins with our own commitment to get the best out of ourselves and others.

Peter F. Norlin, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Organization Development Network

This book is a must-read for leaders and aspiring leaders who want to transform their organizations by investing in what works. Its Five Core Strategies and user-friendly tips bring Appreciative Inquiry to life in a new and vital context.

Dorrie K. Fontaine, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing
University of Virginia

Appreciative Leadership has become a way of life for me—and for many in my congregation who have embraced it. The ripple effect can be felt throughout the world, where the most abandoned in society teach us hope, as we draw out their strengths. This book can help you do the same.

Brigid Lawlor, RGS, JD
Congregational Leader, Sisters of the Good Shepherd
(Located in 72 countries)

Appreciative Leadership is a must-read for leaders at all stages of their careers. It is full of sound principles and skill-building practices to prepare budding new leaders for the challenges of the modern world.

William J. Hybl
Chairman and CEO, El Pomar Foundation

Appreciative Leadership provides the key to unlock the hidden capacities of the many accomplished and brilliant people working in today’s institutions. Its tools and disciplines have the potential to drive complex organizational strategies in unimaginably positive ways. Suspend any skepticism – just dive right in.

Paul R. G. Cunningham, MD, FACS
Dean and Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs
Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University

This insightful book charts a map for leadership strategies and practices in our post-industrial age. Today, leaders are much more than managers. Their job is now to bring out the best in people, to make them feel wanted, cared-for and important, and to help them grow into their talents; to free their organizations from fear, isolation and hidebound reliance on rules and the status quo; and to encourage learning, peak performance and positive change. For those who wish to become this kind of leader, Appreciative Leadership is a must.

William H. Hudnut III
Former Mayor, Indianapolis
Managing Partner, Bill Hudnut Consultants LLC

The remarkable, life-changing power of Appreciate Inquiry is captured, nurtured and expanded in this new book. Appreciative Leadership shows us a great way to lead: how to renew our organizations’ cultures, inspiring universally high levels of contribution, engagement, and performance.

Rick Pellett
President, Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Division

This book is a comprehensive guide on how to effectively implement Appreciative Leadership. The wisdom and research of the authors, blended with proven practices from many arenas, have produced a book that is both practical and wise – one you will reference for years to come.

James C. and Dana G. Robinson
Co-authors, Performance Consulting and Strategic Business Partner

At last, the authors have given us exactly what we need: a practical book that shows us how to discover the wisdom inherent in our organizations and to bring about positive results.

Dixie van de Flier Davis, Ed.D.
President and Executive Director, The Adoption Exchange