Page 115 - Appreciative Leadership

88 Appreciative Leadership

representatives from the governor’s offi ce, state legislators,
and leaders and members of both deaf and blind advocacy
groups, as well as interested citizens and guide dogs.

A turning point came on the first day, following
appreciative interviews. Improbable pairs had shared their
experiences with the school, its benefits to the community,

and their hopes for its future. A woman stood and waved
for the microphone. She introduced her interview partner,
George, who was a local businessman, and herself, a state
legislator. And then she said, “I arrived this morning
certain that the school needed to be closed. Now, aft er
hearing George’s story, I am certain the school is a valued
community resource that must be saved. I intend to support
it fully.” The room let out a collective sigh of relief.

What was George’s story? George was sighted. His wife
was blind. George’s wife had attended the school where
she received an education in life skills as well as academic
subjects. She went on to become an outstanding teacher.
And, as George told the story, she was able to marry him. All
of that happened because of what she had learned as a young
adult at the school for students who are deaf and blind.

The next day 150 people voted unanimously in favor of
the school. One month later, the state legislators affi rmed
their decision.

Inclusion—consciously engaging with people to cocreate the
future—is a foundational strategy for Appreciative Leadership, and an
indispensable practice for unleashing the positive power of today’s mul-
ticultural, multigenerational, and multitalented workforce. Realities are
crafted in relationship, through conversations and collaborations. In

order for decisions and plans for the future to satisfy and serve diverse
groups of people, all the people whose future it is must be invited into
relationship and included in the dialogue and decision making.
Imagine that you are planning an event to determine the future
of a school. Who would you include on the invitation list? Faculty,