Attitude/Culture: Web of Appreciation
In essence, an appreciative perspective concerns a willingness to engage with other people from an assumption of mutual respect, in a mutual search for discovery of distinctive competencies and strengths—areas of expertise– with a view to helping them fulfill their aspirations and their potential. This simple statement might at first seem to be rather naive and idealistic, but at its core it holds the promise of helping to encourage and make use of collective expertise. Furthermore, this perspective comes in several different forms and has several different meanings that build on one another.
Appreciative Communication
We are searching for, acknowledging and leveraging strength and success through conversation, dialogue and questioning within an appreciative culture. We are recognizing distinctive sources of expertise regarding the collection and interpretation of information, the clarification and building of commitment for specific intentions, and the facilitation and generation of valuable ideas to bridge the gap. Appreciation in a collaborative setting also refers to recognition of the distinctive expertise and potentials of people working within this setting.
Even in a context of potential competition, appreciation transforms envy regarding the other person’s expertise into learning from this expertise. Personal achievement and individual contribution of expertise is transformed into a sense of overall purpose and the collective valuing of this expertise. An appreciative culture is forged when an emphasis is placed on the realization of inherent potential and the uncovering of latent strengths rather than on the identification of weaknesses or deficits. People and organizations “do not need to be fixed. They need constant reaffirmation.” (Cooperrider, 1990)
From yet another perspective, the process of appreciation concerns our recognition of the contributions that have already been made by another person: “I appreciate the efforts you have made in doing research regarding this matter.” We are “catching people when they are doing it right” (rather than catching them “when they are doing it wrong”). This tool of appreciative requires not only that we note that what they have just said or done is helpful on behalf of the collective venture, but also an articulate statement regarding Why it has been helpful: “When you said XYZ, I noticed that we have become more ABC and have achieved QRS). Appreciation is not only about what, but also about why. We learn more about the ongoing process of a team when the impact of a specific statement or action is traced. The collaborative team learns from this appreciative tracing of cause and impact.
Appreciation is exhibited in a more constructive manner through the ongoing interaction between those engaged in the building of collective expertise. It involves mutual respect and active engagement, accompanied by a natural flow of feedback, and an exchange of ideas. More specifically, appreciation is evident in not only the processes being engaged, but also the attitudes accompanying these appreciative tools regarding the nature and purpose of work done on behalf of building collective expertise.
These are the three most common uses of the term appreciation. We appreciate the expertise offered by other people through seeking to understand them, through valuing them, and through being attentive and thoughtful in acknowledging their ongoing contributions to the organization. The appreciative perspective can also be engaged in three additional ways that are distinctive—yet closely related to the first three. These three appreciative strategies offer a bridge between expertise-enhancing processes and expertise-enhancing attitudes.
