Page 193 - Appreciative Leadership

166 Appreciative Leadership

life-affirming structures, systems, products, and services. Appreciative
Leadership is uniquely suited to the task of systemic positive change.

Conscious Decision Making

We live and work in a world created by the choices we make person-
ally, collectively, and globally. As the following story illustrates, every
decision you make is an opportunity to demonstrate your values, to
put your principles into action, and to contribute to the sustainability
of the planet:

I worked with the executive team of a leading international
health care company for over a decade. They were then, and

continue to be, one of my “role model” executive teams and
organizations. I remember asking the CEO and the vice presi-
dent of people why the culture change process we were facili-

tating was so important to them. Their answers stay with me
to this day: “This is the best way we know to make a better

world. We believe in our business and want it to grow and be
strong. But more significantly, we hold the decisions we take

as leaders to a high standard. We have a responsibility to help

people serve the world in meaningful ways. This helps them
feel valued, it supports their growth, and it helps the world
become a better place. We are clear about our values, and we
want to be sure they are embodied in all we do. That’s the only

way we can live and work with integrity.”

That was an ah-ha moment for me! They were creating
the world they wanted to live in by making their organiza-
tion the kind of place in which they and others would want
to work. For them it was a simple equation—know your
values, imagine the world you want to live in, and create
it in all you do day by day. Now that is conscious decision
making.