|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
How to Accelerate Success: Create an Appreciative Culture
| Guest post by: Pat Lynch |
Article Overview: More than a dozen years ago a friend introduced me to a relatively new concept called appreciative inquiry. It has changed my life dramatically, as well as the lives of individuals and organizations who have adopted this framework. And it is a critical component of organizational success.
 |
Free Download - Three Key Elements for Addressing Organizational Challenges Effectively By Pat Lynch |
How to Accelerate Success: Create an Appreciative Culture
Would you like to accelerate your
organization’s success? It’s as simple as making appreciation an integral part
of your daily practices and culture.
More than a dozen years ago a
friend introduced me to a relatively new concept called appreciative inquiry. It has changed my life dramatically, as well
as the lives of individuals and organizations who have adopted this framework.
And it is a critical component of organizational success.
Very simply, appreciative inquiry
(AI) is a framework for viewing the world. Instead of seeing the proverbial
glass as half empty, AI practitioners perceive it as half full. Rather than
focusing on fixing or solving “the problem” in a given situation, we begin by
identifying what we did well or right, and we build on those successes. The
fact is that human beings gravitate toward people and things that give us life
and energize us, and we move away from people and things that suck the energy
out of us. Using a storytelling process with carefully chosen questions, AI enables
us to identify our strengths and past successes, which collectively provide a
strong foundation for the future. We look at what we have done WELL, and we use
those elements as building blocks to co-create our desired future. AI has been
used successfully all over the world by individuals, small and large
organizations, societies, international organizations, and the military.
Personally I have used an appreciative approach to help clients develop strategy,
identify goals, re-direct the behavior of dysfunctional teams, resolve
conflicts, and create positive work environments.
Without having experienced or
observed an appreciative process or culture, it’s impossible to fully grasp its
tremendous power to unleash an infectious creativity and energy among those who
experience it. Let me give you a quick example. In 2009, I was asked to help a
non-profit organization develop a business strategy. The recession was just
becoming evident, and the Executive Director and Board members were worried that
they would not be able to obtain the resources necessary to sustain their work
during the difficult days that were sure to come. When they arrived for the
strategy session, the question they wanted to focus on was, “How can we keep
the lights on and the doors open?” That was the WRONG question. Instead, we
re-framed the question to be, “How can we build a world free from domestic
abuse, and empower families to create that world for themselves?” During the
session, I had the participants interview each other using questions that
specifically addressed their past successes and their dreams for the
organization. By identifying the common themes and using them as the basis for
creating a common “big picture” for the organization, we developed a strategy that
literally was breakthrough – and a far cry from merely keeping the lights on! During
our follow-up session in 2011 to fine-tune that strategy, the Board was able to
report remarkable progress in realizing the organization’s dream.
The point is that when leaders create
an appreciate environment in which they and their employees can be creative and
expansive, the sky literally is the limit. Why? Because we find the things that we seek. If we look for positive,
life-affirming elements in the organization, we will find them. By the same
token, asking negative questions will lead us to unproductive, energy draining answers.
The fact is that the questions we ask determine the direction in which people
look for answers. We get to choose
which questions to ask, and as a result, the direction in which our
organizations will go.
It’s not necessary to undertake a
major change initiative to realize the transformative power of appreciative
inquiry. To the contrary: you can create an appreciate workplace in short order
simply by asking purposeful, positive questions every day – and teaching others
to do the same. Given that the failure to create an appreciative environment
shortchanges all organizational stakeholders, isn’t it worth investing a few
minutes of your time to discover how you can accelerate your organization’s
success by adopting an appreciative view of the world?
Change the Trust Equation
Appreciate Where You Are!
Culture Change Begins with Desired Results
The ABC of Superlative Leadership
Why is a company culture so important
Working at Warp Speed in a Lean Turnaround!
Culture Creates Your Brand's First Impressions
The Most Effective Method for Executive Coaching
When to Change Your Corporate Culture
Improve Yourself, Improve Your Business
Don't Take Your Life For Granted
How to Harness the Power of Culture
How Corporate Culture Drives Engagement and Accountability
100 Ways to Succeed #93
What's Culture Got To Do with It?
The Power Of Thanks
An Antidote for Executive Stress
Increase Sales by Demonstrating Appreciation through High Business Ethics
Marketing Strategies: Are You Sharpening Your Saw?
Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant (VBA)
|
About the Author: Pat Lynch RSS for Pat's articles - Visit Pat's website Click here to visit Pat's website   What You Dont Know about the NLRB Could Hurt You and Your Employees Why City Governments are Floundering Warning Values May Be Detrimental to Your Organizations Health Ten Ways to Create an Employeecentered Workplace Transforming HR and IT from Wayward Children to Drivers of Business Success |
Related Forum Posts
English teachers learn Japanese as Interns
- Yasunori, what about the many students that leave N. America to teach English in Japan. They may want to learn Japanese (maybe Business Japanese is a bit different) and the Japanese Business Culture.
Re: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD...RIGHT NOW!!!
- Success = Thinking (Head) + Heart (Feeling / Interest) + Hand (doing/ action).
Success - H3
Robert
Rich Schefren on Business Systems Video
- Bigjim,
1. Create a systemized business
2. build accountability into your team
3. document your processes
Re: Getting Press Coverage
- Thanks for those extra tips again Evan.
Also don't forget the 'purple cow' theory. Create something truly awesome and unique and people will pay attention, including journalists. I have some off the wall stuff planned for 2010.
Re: 4 Ways to Go From Employee to Entrepreneur
- The situation that Wezi describes is more the norm than the exception. I have spoken to many "entrepreneurs-to-be" that have a desire to work for themselves but can't overcome the fear of making that critical leap. The truth of the matter is, if fear is preventing you from moving forward with your own business you need to overcome that fear first. To do this, try this exercise:
1. Write down as many detailed reasons why you are DISSATISFIED with remaining in your job until you retire. E.g., it won't let you achieve the lifestyle you desire; you are sick of commuting an hour each day; etc.
2. Write down in as much detail as possible your VISION of what your life will be like once you have your own business and you are fully engaged in it. Enjoy this step.
3. Create a list of the action steps you need to actually complete to get things rolling. What do you need to do first? Second? Third? Create a step by step plan.
These three steps all work together to overcome any resistance you may feel towards making a major change in your career. If after these exercises, you are still too afraid, look at what you have written down. Chances are one of the three forces for change (dissatisfaction, vision, or first steps) are not yet strong enough to overcome your fear. Perhaps, once you really thought about it, things aren't really that bad in your current career, etc....
Hope this helps.
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: 
Build Your List with Joint Venture Giveaway Events
May 2012 Top 100 Social Media Experts to Follow on Twitter
What to measure to be phenomenally successful in business
Making Money Blogging Can Be Tons Of Fun 
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
How to Set Sales Goals that Work
Ten Things You Can Do To Be a Better Leader
Word of Mouth Marketing Tips Fuel Success
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.