Page 49 - Appreciative Leadership

22 Appreciative Leadership

them. This changes everything I thought about people. I used
to live by the saying “What you see is what you get.” Well, now
I understand that I have to listen better, ask more questions,
and dig for the gems that are not so readily apparent. I need to
look and listen with more confi dence in people.

We call this seeing with “appreciative eyes.” As you practice seeing with
your appreciative eyes, you too will be surprised by the infi nite relational
potential you will discover. Table 2-1 off ers eight “mining sites”—places
you might begin your quest for as yet unexpressed positive potential.

TABLE 2-1
EIGHT SURPRISING SOURCES OF POSITIVE POTENTIAL

1. Strengths Success breeds success. Study strengths, capabilities and
high performance patterns.

2. Past Success History is a source of positive possibility. Share stories of
success from the past.

3. Cynicism Behind every cynical statement there is a dream wanting to
be realized. Ask about the dream; listen for it and reflect it.

4. Big Emotions Validation releases emotions and creates a clearing for
ideas. Listen with compassion; affi rm and refl ect feelings.
5. Edgy Ideas Innovation lives on the edge. It is never the norm. Seek out
and playfully consider unlikely and disliked ideas.

6. Connectivity New connections create new opportunities. Reach out and
get to know new people, and people anew.
7. Opposition Unity is harmony among differences. Seek out people with
whom you disagree. Respectfully seek a new “mash” of
ideas that resonates with all.
8. Novelty Novelty is the seed of learning. Regularly try new things, try

new ways of doing things, and reflect upon ideas that are
new to you.