Page 69 - Appreciative Leadership

42 Appreciative Leadership

TABLE 3-3
THREE PARTS OF GREAT APPRECIATIVE QUESTIONS

Part 1. Value-based affirmative topic: A two- to four-word phrase that says what you
value and want more of in your team or organization. It is the key idea or issue you
intend to study, learn about, and more fully put into action.
Example: Collaborative patient-centered care.
Part 2. Rapport-building lead-in: A three- to four-sentence paragraph that
explains what the topic means and why it is important. It assumes that the topic
occurs and has been experienced when the organization or community is at its
best. It states what the question is focused on and seeks a story about a high-

point experience of the chosen affirmative topic.
Example: Delivering quality patient care requires collaboration among a wide
range of care providers. When we are at our best, we all focus on patient-centered
care. This means we support each other to have the time to talk to and listen to
our patients and their families. We give them options and the information they
need to make informed decisions. And most of all, we care. Tell me about a time
when you were part of a team that provided high-quality, patient-centered care.
Part 3. A string of empowering probes: Questions that probe into the specifi cs of
the high-point story and the causes of its success. They ask about who was involved
and what they did to contribute to the high-point experience. They may ask about
benefits to various people involved. They often ask about actions and feelings.

Examples:
• What was the situation?
• Who else was involved, and what did they do to ensure collaborative
patient-centered care?

• What was your role, and how did you foster collaboration?
• How did you feel?
• How did the patient benefit from this collaboration?

• What can we learn from this situation to ensure that we consistently col-
laborate for the well-being of our patients?