Page 101 - Appreciative Leadership

74 Appreciative Leadership

TABLE 4-2 (Continued )

Step 3. Share Patterns of Success, Listen, and Affirm

Make an appointment to share the patterns of success that you identified. Be
sure to tell the person that you are coaching that you have identified her success

patterns and want to share them. Provide assurance that there will be time for

dialogue and reflection. Plan at least one hour for this session.
Conduct an appreciative coaching session: share the patterns of success that you

identified; ask the provocative questions you created; and most importantly, listen,
affirm, care, and validate.

Appreciative coaching is a relational process in which the coach
leads by shining the light on the person being coached. It requires the
ability to put yourself on hold and to be in the service of the best of
the person you are coaching. It requires the ability to see and share
someone’s implicit positive potential in a manner that enables them to
see and appreciate it themselves.

The following tips can strengthen your appreciative coaching
sessions:

• Begin by checking in with the person you are coaching. Ask, “How
are you doing right now? Is there anything you would like to share
with me before we begin?”
• Ask if the person you are coaching has a specific goal for the ses-

sion. Ask, “What is your goal for our session? What are you hop-
ing to take away from this coaching session?”

• Rephrase the takeaway to show that you heard it. Briefly let the
person know that you will help him achieve his goal.
• Clarify the amount of time you have and how you will use it.
• Be sure to use “I language” when you share what you have learned.
For example, “I experience you as … ,” or “Based on your stories,
I think . …”