Leadership Growth Through Appreciative Inquiry: Insights and Strategies

Introduction

In the relentless hustle of New York City's business scene, #CEOs like you are the lifeblood, always searching for the next breakthrough that propels your company ahead. That's where Appreciative Inquiry comes in, not just as a tool but as a revolution in thinking, brought into the spotlight by #Vistage speaker Jamie Mason Cohen .

Jamie spoke to three of my Vistage groups and was so remarkable that I had him back to speak at the Tri-State Chair and Trusted Advisor event. I first learned about Appreciative Inquiry from Jamie and was genuinely impressed by the tool's effectiveness. I had him on my podcast, Helping Leaders Achieve What Matters, to discuss this vital process.

This isn't your typical #leadership advice; it's a transformative journey that redefines challenges as opportunities for growth. Appreciative Inquiry is more than a methodology; it's a mindset that can reshape how you view leadership and innovation.

Why Appreciative Inquiry Matters:

You've likely navigated countless strategies promising to elevate your leadership and business. But Appreciative Inquiry stands apart. It's about leveraging what works — focusing on strengths, envisioning possibilities, and turning aspirations into realities. In a world fixated on problems, this approach pivots to what's possible, igniting innovation and motivation across your organization. It encourages leaders to ask, "What's right?" instead of "What's wrong?" and to build on the positive aspects of their team and business.

“Appreciative Inquiry merges strategy and execution within a short time frame. Companies are usually quite good at planning, but when it comes to execution that is a whole a different story. Harvard Business Review did a study and found that 80% of leadership development initiatives fail within companies, both mid-size and bigger, because the execution component fails. Appreciative Inquiry is a possibility focused form of strategy in which you go through a four to five step process to execute on the outcomes that matter most. There are three reasons why it works: 1. It focuses with laser sharp accuracy on intended outcomes, 2. It is strength based and 3. it shows different types of thinkers where they are in the process.” –Jamie Mason Cohen

The Philosophy Behind Appreciative Inquiry:

At its core, Appreciative Inquiry is based on the belief that the questions we ask steer the direction we take. We can discover the potential for positive change and growth by focusing on strengths and successes. This approach is not about ignoring challenges; instead, it's about approaching them from a position of strength and opportunity. It's a stark contrast to traditional problem-solving methods that often focus solely on what's broken and how to fix it.

Appreciative Inquiry in Action:

The strategic framing of appreciative inquiry to turn a problem into a solution is based on five steps.

1. DEFINE: A meaningful topic to explore by asking questions that provide clarity and uncover opportunities. These questions also help you to “get on the same page” or “drill down” to get to the heart of the issue. They also help uncover what success will look like, feel like, and may even sound like.

*Quick takeaway: start by defining your opportunity rather than the problem! Focusing on problems can drain energy and make it difficult to create possibilities. “When we focus on our strengths, they grow.”

2. DISCOVERY: The best of “What is”; ask questions about past successes, strengths, stories of impact, and examples of positive outcomes. These questions help if looking for what is already working or wanting to rediscover strengths and the best part of what already is.

3. DREAM: Consider “What might be”: grounded in a clear sense of what’s possible, what you want to see go well, what you want to create, and what you envision as a positive potential.

4. DESIGN: Creating “What could be”: get at how we might start something new around our topic, drawing from the best of what is and our dreams of what might be.

5. DEPLOY: Becoming “What might be” is about taking action in manageable steps. It’s about taking action on the change and owning it as our destiny and what will be.

The Transformational Power of Questions:

Great leaders aren't just decision-makers; they're inquisitive minds that ask the right questions. Appreciative Inquiry harnesses this power, encouraging you to explore, for example, the strengths related to your current challenges, the opportunities at hand, and the aspirations you hold. The questions you ask shape the journey of inquiry and discovery, leading to more engaged and proactive teams. Here are some samples:

• What are your strengths as they relate to this possibility?
• What opportunities to do you see in this situation?
• What do you most aspire to create?
• What action or goal are you most committed to?
• When you create this new opportunity, what becomes possible?
• What resources do you need?
• What do you want to be celebrating 12 months from now?

Closing Thoughts

Appreciative Inquiry isn’t just another leadership tactic; it’s a shift in mindset, from seeing challenges as obstacles to viewing them as stepping stones to greatness. As a CEO in the heart of NYC, embracing this perspective can be the key to not just leading but thriving in an ever-evolving business landscape. It's about building a legacy of positive change, innovation, and resilience. Dive into Appreciative Inquiry with an open mind, and you might just find it's the paradigm shift your leadership has been seeking.

Jamie had a positive impact on my learning and those of my members. I highly recommend his work. He has his podcast, Signature Leadership Show , which can be found on his website.