In a previous post I wrote about the concept of Destiny in Appreciative Coaching. For many, the 'radical' approach outlined in that article made sense and breathed new life into their coaching practice; however, many people are curious - how do we evaluate or monitor our client's progress as they live out their Destiny? The International Coaching Federation (ICF) requires its members to adhere to eleven core competencies. The purpose of these competencies is to help coaches support and maximize their client's personal and professional potential. One core competency involves managing a client's process and accountability. This article intends to suggest some methods to: measure, track and evaluate the progress of one's coaching, assess progress and accountability, and reinventing what these terms can mean for us as appreciative coaches.

Progress and Movement

There is a paradigm of progress that says that to progress we must close the gap between where we are and where we want to be. We start here and move to there. In this paradigm milestones, markers, progress indicators all make sense and are very helpful in making good progress. Let's call this the traditional paradigm of progress.

There's another paradigm that says that progress is really only seen in hindsight. We look over our shoulder and say, "yes I progressed", but we cannot actually 'progress' in the present moment. In the present all we can do is live and act according to a set of beliefs and assumptions about what is possible for us right now. There is, of course, progress in this paradigm (as well as hard work), but the notion of struggle to 'close the gap' is absent. We are relieved of the struggle to succeed, and instead act in accordance with the future that calls us. The future we are 'living into' lives as something possible in the present. It is held in our images of the future. Read Full Article>> 

What I've done below is to share what came up for me as I read the Principles.

Firstly, just want to state that I see AI like this: It is a framework, not a method. While the actual experience of it is excellent just for the experience (people fee energized, valued, positive and open to possibilities after an AI interview), AI is an approach that delivers an outcome of some sort. AI is the means/ approach / philosophy to some desired end or state of being. In the case of Lean, it would be to deliver the outcomes of Lean and facilitate a shift in the culture to live that way. If the outcomes were around Innovation, outcomes would be around Innovation, etc. For this reason I become a little defensive when people see AI as limited to HR type outcomes. Some people say, "Oh, AI that's an HR thing!!" AI is so much more. Read Full Article>> 

Although I have been practicing AI for a number of years, and have seen a lot of amazing things, I am continuously in awe in the possibilities and opportunities that are generated from an Inquiry. My favorite part of the inquiry would have to be the dream phase, as I am sure many of you would agree. I love the creativity that emerges when you give adults permission to play and by curious.

I came across a quote recently that reaffirms why the visual image is so important in the Appreciative Inquiry process that I would like to share with you...

In an interview, Warren Bennis, an author, professor, and leadership guru stated:

"The next question people often ask is: How can I imagine exceeding my benchmarks when I have no idea of how I will actually do it? Remember that when you say you have "no idea", you mean you have no conscious idea. However, [studies] revealed that imagery can help in several ways: In addition to helping to focus your attention by stimulating attentional networks in the brain, imagery can actually help your brain to map your path to your goal outside of conscious awareness. Imagining activates brain regions that can unconsciously map your path to success. Not knowing "how" doesn't actually matter, since the brain will figure this out once you let it know where you want to go."