Page 100 - Appreciative Leadership

The Art of Illumination 73

discover what they want to do next and know they have the abilities
to do it. Coaching is a powerfully illuminating process.
The purpose of appreciative coaching is to bring out the best of

another person by discovering, articulating, and magnifying strengths,
patterns of success, and generative potential. It is a three-step process,
elaborated in Table 4-2. In many ways it is like strengths spotting, fol-
lowing a flow from story to strengths.

TABLE 4-2
THREE STEPS OF APPRECIATIVE COACHING

Step 1. Collect Stories through Observations and Interviews
Take time to observe the person you are coaching, to interview others who work
with her, and to interview her directly. Be sure to take notes on what you see and
hear. Collect multiple stories of success from early career to the present. Be sure
to ask about the details of each situation and what she did to contribute to the
success of the situation.

When patterns of success begin to emerge, you know you have enough information
and a sufficient number of stories.

Step 2. Analyze Stories and Observations to Identify Patterns of Success
Review all the stories you heard and the observations you made. Analyze this data
with an eye to identifying patterns of success. How does this person get started on
projects that succeed? What is her thought process as she begins and progresses
toward a successful conclusion? Who else is involved in her successes, and how?
What skills, abilities, talents, and strengths does she demonstrate repeatedly? What
does she do when trouble arises? How does she deal with differences? How does
she know when a project is complete? When she has succeeded?

Prepare to share the patterns of success that you identified, and write down one or
two provocative questions that the data bring to mind. Plan how you will support

the person you are coaching as she reflects on the implications of your findings.
(Continued)