Page 233 - Appreciative Leadership

206 Conclusion

Appreciative Leadership is our hope for a better world. A grow-
ing force, it is not yet the norm in all organizations or communities
around the world, but it has been fully embraced in many. We are
fortunate to have worked with many such organizations and commu-
nities, and we have written about them in this book:

• Owners of the Brazilian food company who invited all employees,
together with suppliers and community leaders, to cocreate the
future of the business. That business is now a leading health food

company.
• Leadership of a mining company in Ireland that reinvented itself
as a force for global sustainability by designing “a new contract
with nature.”
• The new general manager of a hotel and casino who successfully

led “appreciative downsizing.”

• The executive team of a major health care system that committed
to “moving as one into the future” on behalf of patient quality and
service.

• The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which holds itself to the same high

standards of excellence exhibited by athletes who fully embrace
“true sport.”
• Province leadership of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd who
engaged over 650 people in a long-range direction-setting pro-
cess, leading a 91-year-old Sister to comment, “You are never too
old to contribute.”
• The enlightened leaders of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters who

ensure that growers and consumers all benefit from their coff ee

experience.
• Admirals of the U.S. Navy who hosted and participated in a series
of 200-person summits to foster leadership at all levels through-
out the Navy.

These leaders and the appreciative organizations they lead give us

hope. They are exemplars of Appreciative Leadership. By mobilizing