2007 International AI Conference
Pre-conference Session
September 16, 2007

Title: Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change
Session Facilitators: Jacqueline Binkert, Sara Orem & Ann L. Clancy

Pre-conference workshop: full day

Brief Description of the Workshop
In this interactive workshop, the presenters took participants through an Appreciative Coaching experience. The workshop began with participants selecting a coaching topic and completing a Coaching Information Form. Then, working as coach and client, they engaged with each other in a coaching relationship through the four stages of Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny. Presenters framed the experience throughout the day by demonstrating and constructing experiences which allowed participants to enter, create trust in and move towards change. Balancing theory and practice sharing, participants were offered an artful blend of examples, techniques and stories based on the presenters’ research and experience. The intent of the workshop was to give individuals who wished to practice Appreciative Coaching, the theory and hands-on knowledge and tools they needed to move forward.

Specifically, participants left the workshop with the following:
• An experience of an Appreciative Coaching exchange,
• An understanding of how the principles and stages of Appreciative Inquiry underlie Appreciative Coaching,
• Awareness of their own coaching language as it applies to Appreciative Coaching,
• Examples of specific Appreciative Coaching tools and how these can effectively guide coaching conversations and impact results, and
• Ideas for using Appreciative Coaching in their professional practice.

How Workshop Advances the Thinking and Practice of Strength-based Change Within Organizations:
Appreciative Coaching emerged from a two-year coaching research and writing project where the four stages and five principles of Appreciative Inquiry were applied to one-on-one coaching relationships. The presenters developed a unique model of Appreciative Coaching based on Appreciative Inquiry principles, Positive Psychology, Positive Organizational Scholarship, and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. The research underlying this approach has been presented at numerous international coaching and O.D. conferences and workshops, in the United States, Europe and Mexico. The presenters, all holding doctorates in O.D., have culminated their work in a newly released book, Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change, published by Jossey-Bass in February 2007. Coaching as a profession is recognized as an organizational intervention Appreciative Coaching is being acknowledged in the coaching community as a credible evidence-based methodology.

Facilitator Bios:
Jacqueline Binkert, Ph.D., president of Organizational Enterprises, has extensive experience supporting leaders and other professionals to create positive change in both the organizations they serve and their personal lives. Working as an executive coaching and organizational development consultant, she has helped her clients deal with such topics as strategic planning, leadership excellence, personal development, and culture change. Her particular research interest is in the relationship between the beliefs people have and the results they want.

Sara Orem, Ph.D., principal of Lotus Coaching, enables the realization of concrete goals as well as long-held dreams for a client base consisting of managers, artists, and graduate business students. She has directed learning and development within large financial services organizations, coached senior executive teams, designed leadership development experiences, and taught Appreciative Coaching within graduate business programs. Her particular research interest is in turning conflict into learning and collaboration.

Ann L. Clancy, Ph.D., president of Clancy Consultants, is an executive coach, organizational development consultant, professional facilitator, and qualitative researcher. She coaches executives, business owners, and professionals from an appreciative approach by leading them to discover, dream, and design their personal and professional lives around their true values and purpose. She specializes in offering an appreciative approach to strategic planning with clients ranging from corporations and governmental agencies to community groups.