The Thin Book of SOAR; Building Strengths-Based Strategy

by Jackie Stavros, Gina Hinrichs

SOAR is the acronym of a new strategic planning process that is based on discovering and multiplying what the organization does well. SOAR takes the Appreciative Inquiry philosophy and applies it to provide a strategic thinking and dialogue process. The authors have been instrumental in developing this process and will share the concept and case studies to give you the confidence to try SOAR.

Genres: Leadership

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2009

About the author

Jackie’s passion is working with others to discover their purpose in creating positive change. She has over thirty years of leadership, strategy, organization development, and change management experience. The heart of her work is using Appreciative Inquiry (AI), one of the most popular approaches to positive change, which brings out the best in people to impact productivity, engagement, and performance in their organizations and communities. Jackie has been integrating strengths-based approaches into her research, teaching, training, coaching, and consulting work to strengthen relationships and inspire innovation. She works with organizations in leadership development, team building, and strategic planning. She helps them identify and articulate their values, vision, mission, strategy, and initiatives to build collaborative teams and communities. She has worked across all sectors, including for-profit, non-profit, government, and a wide spectrum of industries.

Jackie is a professor at Lawrence Technological University (LTU) College of Business and IT in Michigan. She is a member of the AI Council of Practitioners for the Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and the Taos Institute. She serves as an AI Mentor for XCHANGE: Conversations for Exponential Outcomes. Before she joined LTU, her industry work included manufacturing, automotive, banking, technology, government, and professional services. Her first professional position was as a sales rep for Cutco Cutlery, whose leaders planted in her the seeds of positivity and possibility.

Jackie has coauthored many books and articles, including the second edition of Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement (www.cwh.today) and Learning to SOAR: Creating Strategy That Inspires Innovation and Engagement. SOAR is a positive approach to strategic thinking, planning, conversations, and leading that focuses on strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results (www.soar-strategy.com). Her work has been featured in Forbes, SmartBrief, Detroit’s Live in the D, People and Strategy, and DBusiness Magazine. She has worked in 25 countries using Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to affect the lives of thousands or people and hundreds of organizations improve capacity to thrive and increase performance. She is a keynote speaker on AI, SOAR, and positive approaches to leadership development and change. She earned a Doctor of Management, dissertation: Capacity Building Using an Appreciative Approach: A Relational Process of Building Your Organization’s Future from Case Western Reserve University, an MBA from Michigan State University, and a BA from Wayne State University. She lives in Brighton, Michigan, with her husband, Paul, and her loveable dog, Rex.

Reviews

[Ryan Barretto · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOAR is a super framework since it uses Appreciative Inquiry to build a strengths based strategy for the organization. This methodology of getting the relevant people in for the meeting reminded me of the Future Search methodology. There are strong similarities between the two.

I will definitely adapt the framework to the individual in the coaching situation, since I am familiar with Strengthsfinder and Appreciative Inquiry only.

I will be revisiting this book again and again.

[Amy Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good ideas and suggestions. I think the idea of SOAR is fantastic. However, much of it is filled with case study after case study. The first few were very helpful to get the idea of how to use SOAR, but many others just felt redundant.

[Brittany Neish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a fantastic read that was part of my grad school curriculum! A framework that anyone can leverage to help think & plan more strategically personally, within a team or even organization wide. A wonderful alternative to SWOT that focuses more deeply on generative question asking.

[Julie Stroud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short little overview. Will want to read more on this from another author. If you're looking for "cliffs notes" this is it.

[Frany74 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the SOAR model.

[Michael Ladd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but nothing earth shattering.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handy book that I refer to when running SOAR strategic planning dialogues.

[Danny]

Enjoyed this look at strengths-based strategy. One of my favorites quotes:
"We want to emphasize that SOAR goes beyond just producing great ideas. SOAR transforms the way people in organizations think and work. Once organizations open themselves to an inclusive way of working, they are capitalizing on the strengths everyone brings. An upward spiral of positive momentum is created which is self perpetuating over time.”
• Initiate – The choice to use
• Inquire (S) – Into Strengths
• Imagine (O) – The Opportunities
• Innovate (A) – To reach Aspirations
• Inspire to Implement (R) - To achieve Results

[Lori Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas. Gonna have to read it again before I know exactly what to do with it -- pretty much the way we already do Strategic Planning with @tommassey 's 4 pt planning, but still some good new ideas.

[Donald]

Got this as prep for strtegy session ... The book provides a very quick overview of the SOAR methodology ... But certainly not enough to actually use SOAR without an experienced facilitator. It served my purpose of having some background knowledge before the session and it was a ver quick read.

[Ryan Barretto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Future Search meets Positive Psychology and Appreciative Inquiry

Enjoyed this crisp book that highlights how companies can make their planning sessions more engaging and fill the organization with energy to make the plans a reality.

Must read for leaders, HR folk and facilitators.

[Margaret Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick On Point Information

Good information, very good examples.. SOAR is an innovative way to move from SWOT which focuses on weakness to focusing on strength.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide for mangers and leaders of any organization to lead change and growth.

[Karen Briscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOAR Is about creating strategy that inspires innovation and engagement. It is truly conversations worth having. Karen Briscoe, author and podcast 5 Minute Success

[Francisco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting alternative to SWOT

This book is a powerfull alternative to SWOT, more oriented to the positive view os the strategic plan and to think in solutions.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

SOAR provides a good way into vision where people have trouble getting to vision directly.