Appreciative coaching is a type of coaching that is based on appreciative inquiry , a methodology of change that helps to discover the strengths of a person, group or organisation, and that helps to recognise, capitalise on and use those beliefs and behaviours that are and have been useful.

It focuses on what we want more, and not on what we don’t want, and it focuses on living with appreciation, living with gratitude for all that life has to offer.

Understanding Appreciative Coaching

This week, Miriam Subirana, a collaborator of the Mensalus Institute for Psychological and Psychiatric Assistance, talks about appreciative coaching and the power of image.

Sometimes we are closed in on a vision that does not allow us to move forward, a construction that values only the negative part of reality. What can we do in these cases?

We live in a reality created by our conversations and by the stories we tell each other. If these stories look at the negative side of life, it may be difficult for us to connect with the positive side that pushes us to make a change.

Appreciative coaching focuses attention on that other part of the person that is losing sight of. Instead of going around the problem, the coach asks what we would do if the conflict did not exist.The goal is to visualize another, more positive scenario.

It’s all about the power of image. For example, if I go home every day thinking I’ll be bored next to my partner, I’ll hardly find a fun time together. Well, as coaches we could ask the following question:

  • What would be the ideal if boredom ceased to exist? Mmm…To do something different and exciting. Going to the theatre could be a great option, for example, a monologue performance.
  • Why? There we could have a good time and, above all, laugh.
  • And what could you do to laugh?

In this case, the person would begin to respond to situations in which he or she would laugh and, not only that, could be visualized in this jovial and relaxed state that he or she has not experienced in a long time. From the appreciative coaching we accompany the individual in a journey towards the imagination of dreams so that his attitude in the here and now changes.

Is it easy to have a clear picture of what we want to change?

Not always. In fact, this is one of the basic points to be addressed. If we do not have a clear picture of what we want to change, it will be very difficult to set up the areas of work for change.

Change happens because there is an attractive element that pushes us towards action or because the discomfort generated by “no change” is unbearable (in this second case it is the same if there is an image of the future or not). Well, the problem appears when the discomfort is not unbearable but there is no attractive image of the future. So…What moves us?

Here the need to create a dream arises.

And to draw this dream, what can help us?

In this case the therapist or coach is responsible for asking questions that help the individual reflect on himself. One of the elements we use to establish a dialogue is the language of abundance instead of the language of lack.

The language of abundance seeks what we want to gain from the dream. For example, in the case of people who want to stop smoking, the usual discourse is “I have to stop smoking” (an obligation). From appreciative coaching we would ask “what do you want to gain if you don’t smoke? Visualizing this desire will help the person build a positive image.

We will also place special emphasis on highlighting the strengths of the protagonist. Looking for the resources that were useful in the past and connecting again with those situations (following the first example, we could help the person to detect moments in which she laughed and was nourished by others, among them, her husband) evokes necessary feelings for change.

In short, we understand that appreciative coaching focuses on the dialogue of what we want rather than what we don’t want, is that right?

Right. Instead of focusing on the problem, we focused on what would happen if it didn’t exist. Appreciative Coaching looks for the positive core of life, that which gives life to the person. Once that core is detected, it makes it grow. And how does it do that? As we mentioned, through the power of positive imagery, the language of abundance and the connection to one’s strengths.

What message would you like to convey to our readers before the end of this interview?

Images create worlds. The reality we live in is generated by the images we believe in and project. Change begins in the images we have of the future.

Appreciating and recognizing the best of “what is” awakens our positivity. Let us not forget that every human being needs to be appreciated and recognized. When we appreciate, we move forward: our mind is open to receive and learn.

To live with appreciation is to feel gratitude for all that life brings us. Whether positive or negative, good or bad, we can choose to see the positive side that helps us to appreciate and progress.