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Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change
Appreciative Coaching describes an approach to coaching that is rooted in Appreciative Inquiry. At its core the Appreciative Coaching method shows individuals how to tap into (or rediscover) their own sense of wonder and excitement about their present life and future possibilities. Rather than focusing on individuals in limited or problem-oriented ways, Appreciate Coaching guides clients through four stages—Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny—that inspire them to an appreciative and empowering view of themselves and their future.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 24, 2011
Read this for work to inform our career coaching model - interesting information, theories, and techniques that have proven useful
August 28, 2021
I loved this book.
About gaps. I was looking for a new way to work with my clients, where I felt that the focus of the coaching conversation is on what they do NOT do well. I could sense low energy and was not sure how to shift the energy. This book gave me great tools and ideas and deeper learning on how I can work differently with strengths, with progress, with what's working and see a real change in perspective and the way my clients show up with their thoughts and how easy the shift happens and the energy in workshops and group coaching shifted too. I find that even guiding some leader clients to use this perspective is something they find helpful and enjoy sharing with me how much the conversation shifted for their team.
It took me time to get to this book, but I found it at the right moment for me as a coach.
If you are a coach looking for a different way that is not around "toxic positivity" that I was upset with for so long, but positivity that can serve how YOU as the coach show up for the relationship, you should get this book. It is more of an expensive book but totally worth the investment.
Also, there are tons of questions, forms you can use, and examples to build on the structure if you need that.
About gaps. I was looking for a new way to work with my clients, where I felt that the focus of the coaching conversation is on what they do NOT do well. I could sense low energy and was not sure how to shift the energy. This book gave me great tools and ideas and deeper learning on how I can work differently with strengths, with progress, with what's working and see a real change in perspective and the way my clients show up with their thoughts and how easy the shift happens and the energy in workshops and group coaching shifted too. I find that even guiding some leader clients to use this perspective is something they find helpful and enjoy sharing with me how much the conversation shifted for their team.
It took me time to get to this book, but I found it at the right moment for me as a coach.
If you are a coach looking for a different way that is not around "toxic positivity" that I was upset with for so long, but positivity that can serve how YOU as the coach show up for the relationship, you should get this book. It is more of an expensive book but totally worth the investment.
Also, there are tons of questions, forms you can use, and examples to build on the structure if you need that.
March 25, 2026
Appreciative coaching is not my particular style nor am I a coach but I wanted to dig into the elements that I could potentially incorporate into my career counseling. I think the general idea of being positive with clients is important but it tends to be too rah-rah for me taken as a whole. I also don’t get to spend a long time to develop a deep relationship which is what is really central to this theory.
Pros:
-positive language
- Pygmalion theory
- vision planning
- sets steps or a theme to smaller goals
- affirming growth and reflecting on journey
Cons:
- too upbeat and not always realistic about a client’s situation. Sometimes it’s our job to deliver hard truths.
- requires extended relationship with client
- psychology elements that are beyond what I do
Pros:
-positive language
- Pygmalion theory
- vision planning
- sets steps or a theme to smaller goals
- affirming growth and reflecting on journey
Cons:
- too upbeat and not always realistic about a client’s situation. Sometimes it’s our job to deliver hard truths.
- requires extended relationship with client
- psychology elements that are beyond what I do
April 19, 2022
assigned reading for class
This book was assigned reading for a Financial Coaching class and I loved every page. I will be going back to review it at times to help me in my practice.
This book was assigned reading for a Financial Coaching class and I loved every page. I will be going back to review it at times to help me in my practice.
July 9, 2018
This book was part of my class reading list and it was my least favorite. There are a few gems in the book, but I really couldn't stand the writing.
May 25, 2021
We read this in Dr Sears Master Coach Training. A bit deep, but valuable. It really ties in how vision works to move us forward.
April 22, 2023
Required reading for a course in Life Planning. A practical guide for all coaches, not just financial coaches.
June 15, 2021
Read for Appreciative Coaching class
July 19, 2016
Great guide for anyone wanting a good foundational grasp of how to use the appreciative inquiry model in a coaching context. The bibliography is comprehensive for an academic's liking while the reading is easily followed and understood. This book is a must-have for any professional coach even if they don't operate from the appreciative model.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews