Appreciative Inquiry

Appreciative Inquiry is a four step process David Cooperrider of Case Western University has developed to evaluate and further organizational development. The four stages of this process are :

Discovery
Dream
Design
Destiny

These four steps are to get individuals to ask positive questions and heighten potential. I found in an article that this process was used by American Express following 9/11. After the traumatic national attack moral both nationally and economically were down. Individuals had lost hope and were scared. CEO Ken Chenault saw this is as an opportunity for his company. He brought in his core team of VP's and top executives. Taking this small group thought the four step processes they evaluated the current success and past success of the company. They asked themselves were they wanted to be headed and what dreams have they each individually had for the company. With these new ideas Chenault asked his team to take this information and process back to their individual departments. After several weeks of great discussion executives shared how their visions and moral had changed. AI seems like a positive process leaders can uses to create common goals amongst teams or individual members.
The article I read can be found at the following address:
Giglio, G., Michalcova, S., & Yates, C. (2007). Instilling a Culture of Winning at American Express. Organization Development Journal, 25(4), 33-35. Retrieved February 15, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1529898851).

Captain Abrashoff

Today I finished our suggested extra credit book Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy. This book was incredible. The greatest lesson I learned was to love your team. You are a leader for a reason. Without followers there would be no need for your work. To invest time appropriately toward beneficial causes will further your success far greater than working to please my Superior. If my team performs and exceeds expectations top management will more than not approve of my skills. A specific line caught my attention near the end of Abrashoff's book:

"Leadership is not a paycheck. Leadership is a calling" (208).

This made me think of my leadership opportunities. Some days I am not thrilled. I have my moments and wish people would step up to the plate. The thing is, if I were an effective leader they would be stepping up without me having to ask. I don't have to take role as a leader, if I step down there will be someone right behind me that wants to lead our sorority of 140 women. I am privileged and should embrace my opportunity.

Group #3

As a participant in last Wednesdays class I made several observations. I was in the first group and played more of a follower. Immediately we had to many people trying to be the leader. I think this was a factor of being in front of the class. Everyone wanted to show the class they could emerge. Clearly there is something on the line for us with numbers repeatedly standing in front of the class proving our leadership. We were also the worst of the three groups. We chose to ignore Feinberg while talking to us. I could hear him and knew we had to face the class. However in such a frantic state I did not emerge and say anything.
Group two had slightly more success than group one. They turned towards the class and spoke loudly for everyone to hear. However their scribe was still a girl with good handwriting and the main leader of the pack was male just like the first.
I thought these two groups shows the "norms" in the business word. They are the typical company with the average way of leading its followers. They complete the task at hand. The difference is they do not pull ahead of the pack. They are content with their performance.
Group three came in with a completely different attitude. They interpreted the question differently sharing what are the problems of a leader (rather than list good leadership qualities) are. They were extremely unified. They came together in a very tight huddle and conversed quickly to the point. They then spread out so the whole class (organization) could see each team member. With enthusiasm they all participated to make the leader look good. By working well they look unified and intelligent. It would have only took one individual to slack and make the group look dumb.
Group three represents what an organization should be. They should be unified and goal oriented. They must listen to their followers (the class) and give them as much information as they can. They must also work hard individually. By showing your team you work hard they will follow. The last important message was praising your team. Show them your appreciation and let them see that you understand their effort.

# 32, waiting outside the classroom

Today I was one of the individuals that stood outside the class and went in individually to share with the class my leadership story. While standing outside the room I was calm and collected. I did not have any anxiety or feel pressured. I knew that I had done something right by going to the front the prior class stating I wanted to be a leader. I also knew that 35 other students were doing what I was doing. With confidence I walked down the class room to the front. Initially I moved out of the light before I was asked to stand in the light. As soon as I moved into the light I lost all control mentally. I was discombobulated and uncomfortable. I knew I had a leadership story but with a time cap, a spotlight, and 100 sets of eyes judging me I felt uncomfortable and could not speak without being nervous. This also carried further to a meeting I had after class.
After class on Mondays I go home to run an executive meeting and chapter meeting for my sorority. Our chapter meeting consists of me sitting at the front of the room with 116 members in front of me. Why was not nervous during this time? I think I remained calm because I know these individuals and have already received their approval. They voted me into my position and support me as their president. Also, I have somewhat scripted my thoughts for the meeting. I have notes in front of me and have also reviewed them with the executive committee one hour prior the big meeting.
I commend the individual that was comfortable and composed while telling their story.