How to Appreciatively Inquire in Systemic Leadership Team Coaching?

When using Appreciative Inquiry, some call the last stage Destiny and others Delivery. Not sure how the terminology changed, but either way the process works.

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In systemic leadership team coaching as in other powerful leadership development initiatives, creating a psychologically safe, trusted and interdependent workspace in which members of a team can express themselves authentically, openly and vulnerable with no fear, Appreciative Inquiry is one of the most powerful techniques to deploy.

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The Appreciative Inquiry process can be integrated with many other powerful tools in systemic leadership team coaching, such as Theory U, Design Thinking, and AGILE. The results are synergetic.

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The Appreciative Inquiry process has five steps

1.?? Define

2.?? Discover

3.?? Dream

4.?? Design

5.?? Deliver (or Destiny)

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These stages are built around 10 principles or beliefs. Collectively they state that when we create positive future-oriented visionary outcomes, they create learning and actions to achieve the outcomes. stakeholders, when they collectively come together and co-create through personal stories of congruence self-reflective awareness can become the change they wish to see.

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Let's move a bit deeper into each of the five stages.

1. Define: Uncover Potential

?The Define stage helps the systemic leadership team coach and the client establish the focus and scope of the coaching engagement. This aligns with the coaching competencies of establishing the coaching agreement and setting the coaching agenda. Positive purposeful meaningful goals result from appreciative partnering in the Define stage.

?The Constructionist Principle and the Poetic Principle are particularly relevant in this stage. The Constructionist Principle recognizes that the way we ask questions shapes the way we think, and the Poetic Principle acknowledges that the topic of inquiry is constantly being co-authored and partnered by the coach and the client.

?In the Define stage, the systemic leadership team coach and the client collaborate to define the positive or the affirmative topic that will guide the coaching process. They may explore the client's strengths, values, and aspirations, and co-construct the desired outcomes of the coaching engagement.

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2. Discover: Unleash Strengths

The Discover stage aligns with the systemic leadership team coaching competencies of active listening, powerful questioning, and facilitating client self-discovery. It allows the coach to help the client uncover their positive core and past successes.

The Anticipatory Principle and the Positive Principle are relevant in this stage. The Anticipatory Principle suggests that the image of the future guides current behaviour, and the Positive Principle emphasizes the importance of focusing on positive experiences and strengths.?

In the Discover stage, the systemic leadership team coach guides the client to explore their personal and professional experiences, focusing on times when they were at their best or when they achieved positive outcomes. The coach may use appreciative interviews, storytelling, and other techniques to help the coachee uncover their strengths and successes.

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3. Dream: Co-vision Excellence

The Dream stage relates to the systemic leadership team coaching competencies of creating awareness and designing actions. It enables the coachee to envision their desired future and possibilities.

The Simultaneity Principle and the Wholeness Principle are relevant in this stage. The Simultaneity Principle suggests that inquiry and change happen simultaneously, and the Wholeness Principle recognizes that the whole system must be involved in the change process.

?In the Dream stage, the systemic leadership team coach encourages the coachee to imagine their ideal future and the possibilities that lie ahead. The coach may use visualization exercises, metaphors, and creative thinking techniques to help the coachee explore their dreams and aspirations.

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4. Design: Co-create the Path

?The Design stage aligns with the systemic leadership team coaching competencies of planning and goal setting, as well as facilitating client-generated solutions.

The Enactment Principle and the Narrative Principle are relevant in this stage. The Enactment Principle suggests that the future is brought into the present through small, practical steps, and the Narrative Principle recognizes that the stories we tell shape our reality.

?In the Design stage, the systemic leadership team coach and the coachee collaborate to design concrete action plans and strategies to help the coachee move towards their desired future. They may identify specific goals, action steps, and resources needed to support the client's progress.

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5. Deliver: Manifest as Reality

The Deliver stage relates to the systemic leadership team coaching competencies of managing progress and accountability, as well as supporting the client's ongoing learning and development.

?The Wholeness Principle and the Free Choice Principle are relevant in this stage. The Wholeness Principle recognizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of the system, and the ?Free Choice ?Principle suggests that leaders take accountability when they can choose.

?In the Deliver stage, the coach and the coachee work together to implement the designed action plans and track the client's progress. The coach may provide ongoing support, encouragement, and feedback to help the coachee stay motivated and overcome any challenges they encounter.

Reflection

Appreciative Inquiry process aligns with humanistic and positive psychology principles, helping leaders collaborate with spiritual intelligence and creating a holistically healthy organisation.

If this article ignited your curiosity about how Appreciative Inquiry aligned with systemic team coaching can support leadership development, share it with your network! Subscribe to my 'Coaching the Spirit' newsletter for more cutting-edge content on technology, spirituality, and leadership in today's dynamic workplace. Together, let's shape the future of leadership in the VUCA era!

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