Page 17 - Appreciative Leadership

xvi Introduction

of the Good Shepherd; the cities of Longmont, Denver, and Boulder
in Colorado; the U.S. Olympic Committee; British Airways; Verizon;
Merck; Hewlett-Packard; and the United Religions Initiative—all very
large organizations or communities.
Our work, called Appreciative Inquiry, is a high-engagement
strengths-based process through which people collaboratively rein-
vent the vision, mission, strategy, culture, and identity of their orga-
nization or community. By participating in values-based inquiry and

life-affirming dialogue, hundreds or thousands of people can collec-

tively identify their positive core of strengths; envision a desired future;
generate shared principles; and determine how they will go forward
together. The process enhances both relationships and results—a win-

ning combination.
Appreciative Inquiry has an impressive track record of success
around the world and in a wide range of industries, sectors, and
communities. Over the years we have wondered what makes it suc-
cessful. Indeed, Diana and Amanda conducted a study and asked
just that question. Their research is summarized in their best-selling

book The Power of Appreciative Inquiry. Th eir findings point to Six

Freedoms—unleashed through the Appreciative Inquiry process,
that together forge a foundation for successful positive change. Th ey
are the freedoms to Be Known in Relationship, to Be Heard, to Dream
in Community, to Choose to Contribute, to Act with Support, and
to Be Positive. “When people realize that they can and do make a
difference in relation to others,” say the authors, “they experience

true liberation. . . . Appreciative Inquiry, through the Six Freedoms,
creates a relational and narrative-rich context that becomes the path
upon which the journey to liberation takes place.” 1

As is often the case, when one question is answered, another
emerges. And so it was for us. With the Six Freedoms as our backdrop,
we turned our attention to some related questions: What role does
leadership play in liberating power, fostering positive change, and pro-
moting ongoing organizational vitality and success? What is unique,
special, and even exciting about this kind of leadership, at its best?