Page 206 - Appreciative Leadership

The Path of Integrity 179

Follow Your Dreams
Know where you want to go and with whom. Focus your attention and
resources to get there. Appreciative Leadership focuses on the future.
On a personal level, Appreciative Leadership creates powerfully positive
images in the form of aspirations and goals and works to realize them.
It is disciplined, able to focus on strengths and transcend distractions to
stay on the path of integrity. On a global level, Appreciative Leadership
ensures that today’s decisions, actions, and resources are mindfully used
to support the well-being of generations to come. Johan Schaberg, editor
of Ode Magazine in the Netherlands, has said it this way:

The true leader doesn’t set out to lead at all. Whether other
people follow is, to him or her personally, of secondary
importance. These kinds of leaders don’t lead; they
follow—a dream, an ideal, freedom for their country, a good
life for their family. And they’re very clear about it, which
touches the people around them who then want to share in
the dream. True, authentic leaders know they are connected
to something bigger. Their wish is to serve that. 7

Work To Your Strengths

Know your strengths—but also, value them and use them. When you
truly appreciate your strengths and work from them, you make your life
easier, you get better results, and you have more fun at work. In addition,
others find it easier and more fun to work with you. Forcing yourself

to do something that is not your strong suit creates frustration. It takes
time in rework, and it lowers productivity. If you cannot describe your
strengths or if you are not currently working to your strengths, it is time
to renegotiate your job and/or talk to your human resources department
or a career counselor for help in getting yourself back on track. Appre-
ciative Leadership is strengths based. Your integrity depends on your
knowing, appreciating, and working to your strengths.

Express Your Creative Spirit

Creative self-expression is a crucial part of being true to oneself. Let
people know what you think, feel, and believe—what is important to