Page 21 - Appreciative Leadership

xx Introduction

in a positive and caring manner, people collectively transform their
organizations and communities; and in the process they change.
Fueled by the insight that people change when they are surrounded
by positive emotions and ideas, we designed and created our four-day
intensive Appreciative Leadership Development Program (ALDP). It
is the fi rst leadership development program of its kind, and includes
appreciative interviews, peer appreciative coaching, and 360-degree
positive feedback. It is going strong today, with licensed trainers in
four countries: Canada, Chile, Japan, and the United States.

Appreciative Interviews
As of this writing, approximately 100 interviews were conducted by
participants in the Appreciative Leadership Development Program.
Before attending the program, participants interviewed exemplary
leaders—people they respect for who they are and how they lead.

Then during the program they interviewed each other, discovering
and sharing stories from their personal leadership journeys.

For more than five years, we compiled and reflected upon the
ideas and stories garnered from these interviews. Indeed, many of
them are woven throughout this book. Taken together, they led us to
identify and distinguish the Five Core Strategies that are at the heart
of Appreciative Leadership:

1. Inquiry
2. Illumination
3. Inclusion
4. Inspiration
5. Integrity

Here is a sampling of the meaningful quotes people shared with
us from their interviews and experiences as leaders:

• “Always ask that next big question. Don’t ask me to arrange the
books on your shelf. Ask me which books to read.” 2