Appreciative Coaching describes an approach to coaching that is rooted in Appreciative Inquiry. At its core the Appreciative Coaching method shows individuals how to tap into (or rediscover) their own sense of wonder and excitement about their present life and future possibilities. Rather than focusing on individuals in limited or problem-oriented ways, Appreciate Coaching guides participants through four stages—Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny—that inspire them to an appreciative and empowering view of themselves and their future.

GUIDING QUESTIONS – Now think of the fit and possibilities for teachers, administrators, and students – Would it be a fit?      I have begun to use Appreciative Coaching in my work with these members of schools – and am enjoying it!

The principal author of Appreciative Coaching, Sara Orem, suggests simple and short meditations based on the 5 founding AI principles:

CONSTRUCTIONIST Principle: The constructionist principle signals a belief in a world that is conditional. By this I mean that there are few things I hold as immutable, and many/most things as changeable, flexible, or situational. I change as I age. My children, students and colleagues change as their relationships, jobs, geography, and degree of maturity changes. My perceptions of what life is about change. I also believe that we make or affect our worlds and our reality together. My relationships are as good as each of us makes them. They are founded on agreements we make together, and remain strong for as long as we co-create them in each moment.

POSITIVE Principle: My positive emotions, conversation, actions, and interactions all lead to more satisfying and effective outcomes for me and for those with whom I am in relationship. I am not perfect at this. I’m happier and more effective when I act from a positive and enlivening attitude.

ANTICIPATORY Principle: I move and grow in the direction of what I anticipate. My vision of what I and my colleagues can be informs my action toward that vision. If I see myself as a successful speaker to audiences of coaches and managers, if I see what I have to say to those audiences, it is easier to move in the direction of that vision.

SIMULTANEITY Principle: A question or statement can cause me to change in the moment, or to move from one direction to another. When someone asks “Why do you do something in that way?” the question causes me to wonder whether there are other, better, shorter, or less stressful ways of doing that thing. Questioning and change can happen in the same moment.

POETIC Principle: I am always retelling my story in light of the way I see myself and my world as of the present moment. Therefore something that happened to me in the past is endlessly reinterpretable as I understand myself and others better. As I understand more, I have greater compassion for myself and others knowing that we are all “in process.”

In my earlier coaching endeavors – I have subscribed to and recommend the work by the following authors:

Cognitive Coaching