Appreciative Leadership

Helping Clergy develop emotionally intelligent leadership competencies so that they can effectively lead their congregations is at the heart of the work of the Clergy Leadership Institute.

Appreciative Leadership uses the strategies and outlook of the appreciative way as the basis for leading groups to accomplish their shared mission.

What is a Leader?

In our work with managers we use the following definition of a leader:

"A leader is someone who other people choose to follow"

From which we draw three questions to focus our training:

• Why would someone choose to follow you?
• Where would they end up if they did follow you?
• How would they be treated on the journey?

Answers to these questions are individually developed by examining core leadership competencies.

Can Leadership be Learned?

While some people may have been "born" with leadership ability, research indicates that the basic leadership competencies can be learned and developed. Organizational development practitioners such as Peter Senge, learning organizations, David Cooperrider, appreciative inquiry, and Robert Greenleaf, servant leadership, Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Practices and others have provided philosophies and processes of participative leadership that seeks to bring the best from each member of an organization.

Leadership Competencies:

Research by people such as Bennis, Sashkin, Kouzes and Posner have identified five core skill areas that a leader needs to have. For example Kouzes and Posner have identified the following practices of effective leaders:

1. Challenging the Process: Leaders search for opportunities to change the status quo. They look for innovative ways to improve the organization. In doing so they experiment and take risks. And because leaders know that risk taking involves mistakes and failures, they accept the inevitable disappointments as learning opportunities.

2. Inspiring a Shared Vision: Leaders passionately believe they can make a difference. They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see the exciting possibilities for the future.

3. Enabling Others to Act: Leaders foster collaboration and build spirited teams. They actively involve others. Leaders understand that mutual respect is what sustains extraordinary efforts; They strive to create an atmosphere of trust and human dignity. They strengthen others, making each person feel capable and powerful.

4. Modeling the Way: Leaders create standards of excellence and then set an example for others to follow. They unravel bureaucracy when it impedes action; they put up signposts when people are unsure of where to go or how to get there; and they create opportunities for victory.

5. Encouraging the Heart: Leaders recognize the contributions that individuals make to keep hope and determination alive. In every winning team, the members need to share in the rewards of their efforts, so leaders celebrate accomplishments. They make people feel like they are heroes.

We provide several opportunities for people to grow their leadership competencies.

• Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry for Clergy
• Appreciative Leadership for Managing Change
• Introduction to Coaching using Appreciative Inquiry
• Teleconferences
• Leadership Coaching

For more information about our leadership programs please contact Rob Voyle

Check Out Our Coaching Services

Are you still wondering if our coaching would be helpful to you?
Check out our Just-In-Time Coaching Services. You can send Rob an email and request a free 30 minute session to explore whether coaching with Rob would be of benefit to you.

>>  Just-In-Time Coaching Services

>>  Obtain the Coaching Letter of Agreement

Leadership Coach Training

To fulfill our mission of developing leaders we also provide training for people who want to coach leaders.

>>  Appreciative Coach Training

Our Certificate in Appreciative Coaching program is especially oriented toward training clergy to coach: peers, staff, and volunteers; and psychologists and counselors who are interested in coaching clergy and consulting to congregations.

>>  Certificate in Appreciative Coaching