Recognizing Distinctive Strengths and Competencies
- Focusing on strengths rather than deficits (we are more likely to change when we have been appreciated than when we have been criticized and told to change)
- Focusing on lessons to be learned from mistakes and, in particular, the elements of competency and success within the mistake (success-orientation versus failure avoidance)
Uncovering Distinctive Strengths and Competencies
- Discover obscure strengths through the encouragement of feedback that focuses on moments of competency and success (“catch them when they’re doing it right!”)
- Realize potential and latent strengths through the provision of safe times and places for exploration, experimentation and learning (creating sanctuaries)
Recognizing the Value of Cooperation
- Integrating oneself through an appreciative culture (appreciation is sociopetal/pulling inward not sociofugal/pushing outward)
- Recognizing and uncovering the strengths and competencies of another as they seek to appreciate our distinctive strengths and competencies (strategic advantages of cooperation and mutuality)
Constructing Provocative Propositions
- A statement bridging the best of “what is” with a speculation or intuition of “what might be” (“leaning into the future”)
- Stretch the realm of the status quo, think in systemic terms, challenge assumptions or routines, and suggest real/desired possibilities (“beating and breaking the bounds”)
